Regeneration of cleaning solutions for engine maintenance

Context

Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) produces various engines for helicopters and aircraft. Its maintenance and repair center in St-Hubert, Québec, receives complete engines, dismantled parts and accessories for inspection, repair or replacement. Before the maintenance steps, the various components must be cleaned in tanks containing different chemicals used as cleaning solutions.

Description of the challenge

Cleaning solutions may be alkaline or acidic depending on the nature of the components to be treated. Over the course of the treatments, the solutions accumulate suspended solids, oil and other contaminants that may alter their effectiveness. The solutions must therefore be replaced frequently, which entails costs for their transportation, their safe disposition and their replacement. In a context aiming at achieving zero waste in 2028, the company is looking for technologies to regenerate, treat or filter the cleaning solutions used at its St-Hubert plant. These technologies could then be used in other P&WC service centers in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Constraint(s)

The tanks are installed in rows in a ventilated room which can contain any liquid spill. The tanks are used continuously 24/7 and only half-day stops are planned for the replacement of the solutions. There is limited space available to install permanent equipment to regenerate / recycle / process solutions.

Estimated duration of the project:12 months