Buildup of grease, oil and dirt safely removed from hydroelectric generators

APPLICATION CHARACTERISTICS

There are 18 hydroelectric generators at the Hoover Dam. These generators tend to build up with grease, dirt and oil with use. The dirtier the generators get, the harder they work to run, which leads to the generators heating up. According to Paul Price, Bureau of Reclamation, the generators are more efficient the cooler they are so the goal is to keep the generators free from foreign debris as much as possible.

CURRENT CLEANING METHOD

Before dry ice cleaning, they were hand cleaning the generators with long brushes reaching into the holes and in some cases using solvents. Some generators were being cleaned in place while some are taken apart and given a more thorough cleaning.

OTHER EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES

Cold Jet has vast experience with power generation cleaning and customer support. For example, Cold Jet cleaned generators and windings for Empire Electric in Branson, Missouri, and Industrial Repair purchased a machine for a similar application.