-to have the cooling system cleaned on one of their wind turbine variants.

The converter module is a newer type of component used in effective WTGs and therefore it is a recent eye-opener that the industry experiences consequential damages from a contaminated cooling system.

Consequential Damages

Because of an increasing level of impurities, the converter module cannot get rid of the heat thereby the optimal power production is reduced: The entire cooling water degrades, and unwanted impurities settle in the cooler, on pipe walls and hoses, and in the converter module. The consequences isolate effective cooling. Indirectly, the ineffective cooling increases the temperature on lubricating oil and reduces lube oil lifetime. As a result of this, there is a further risk of damage to the mechanical parts, e.g., gear parts.

Cooler converter module parts after and before rinsing.

The Challenge

Cooling systems and converter modules are sensitive and fragile components because of the surface metal alloys used to build the components. We had to make sure to use a solvent that gently removes polluting particles without damaging the sensitive metal alloy.

A trial was decided, and the customer delivered two contaminated converter stacks with sludge to our workshop for trial. Tests adhered to technical specifications for materials, gaskets, etc.

The cooling fluid was also tested for its effect over time to ensure compatibility with elastomers and thermoplastics, and corrosion rates to other materials used in the converter module, so that the customer retains the current coolant.

Success

IKM Ocean Team can provide both a cleaning system and cleaning solvent that is customized for this type of turbine.

During several trials, we set up several test scenarios in collaboration with the customer. We can now with 100% certainty prepare a procedure for chemical cleaning of converter modules to that specific turbine type that is carried out in practice without the risk of degradation of the converter material.