PITTING CORROSION LED TO CATASTROPHIC GAS TURBINE COMPRESSOR BLADE LIBERATION

Abstract

A gas turbine's intake system usually has 3 4 stages of filtration After the primary and secondary filter, the final marine vane separator ( is used These filters are designed to keep rainwater debris, and salt from entering gas turbine intake systems The chemical reaction between salt and MVS can cause flying debris A MVS made of aluminum will also experience galvanic corrosion caused by sub micron salt particles Debris in the air intake system causes erosion, exposing the compressor blade's base material This process is known as pitting corrosion In this presented case study, specific examination techniques were used to investigate the traces of debris material at compressor blade in order to relate back to the system weakness to determine the main root cause so that appropriate counter measure can be applied.