Gas Turbine Cleaning: Delivering Consistent Results for Planned Maintenance
From large-scale power plants to co-generation facilities tied to industrial operations, gas turbines are critical to modern energy generation. Keeping these turbines clean is essential for efficient operation, accurate testing, and reliable performance. But cleaning must also align with tightly scheduled maintenance windows, often planned to the minute.
For more than 10 years, Polar Clean has supported the gas turbine industry with cleaning services that are consistent, predictable, and trusted by OEMs and operators alike. Our work spans across more than 30 states and the UK, performed for many of the world’s leading turbine manufacturers — including GE and Siemens, the two largest OEMs globally.
Cleaning Where It’s Needed: In the Field or In the Shop
The majority of gas turbine cleaning takes place on-site at power generation facilities. These include both traditional power plants and co-generation plants that support industrial operations such as refineries. In other cases, we clean turbines that have been removed and brought into repair shops for more extensive overhaul work.
In either environment — field or shop — the goal is the same: deliver a repeatable cleaning process that supports planned maintenance, inspection, and efficiency improvements. Most projects are performed during scheduled turbine shutdowns. These shutdowns are often brief and closely controlled, with our cleaning work typically completed in one to two shifts for a turbine and its casings.
Primary Methods: Dry Ice & Steam Cleaning
Dry ice blasting (DIB) is the preferred method for gas turbine cleaning. It is water-free and debris-free, which minimizes any risk to sensitive equipment and speeds up both cleaning and post-cleaning inspection. Compared to manual cleaning, DIB offers significant time savings and allows for better preparation of components for non-destructive testing (NDT). This is especially important for verifying performance and identifying wear before turbines return to service.
Steam cleaning is also used when specified by the OEM or site — typically in environments where noise reduction is a priority or when required by site conditions. While steam cleaning can take slightly longer than DIB, it remains an important option for certain turbine components and site requirements.
A predictable process depends not only on the cleaning method, but on a team that arrives fully prepared. Polar Clean’s crews are trained to industry standards and meet rigorous site requirements, including OSHA training, drug testing, and area safety council certifications. Many of our projects are performed on turbine decks, where proper fall protection is used — typically without the need for scaffolding.
Benefits of Dry Ice Blasting in Power Generation
- Reduces risk of catastrophic failure
- Improves megohm readings
- Increases polarization indices
- Improves thermal dissipation
- Reduces outage time for cleaning by 50%
- Eliminates secondary waste
- Cleans in-place; no cool down or disassembly
- Is non-conductive
- Is non-abrasive
- Is environmentally responsible
- Is the safest form of blasting
Supporting Turbine Maintenance Across the Industry
Along with gas turbine cleaning, Polar Clean also supports steam turbine maintenance, often using abrasive techniques such as aluminum oxide blasting (ALOX) where needed. Whether cleaning is performed on-site or in the shop, the objective remains the same: provide a reliable, efficient cleaning process that fits seamlessly into maintenance schedules — and helps keep energy flowing.
At a Glance: Why Choose Polar Clean
- Proven Track Record: Over the past decade, we’ve successfully cleaned hundreds of turbines — gas and steam — for OEMs and plant operators.
- Predictable Execution: We know exactly how long a cleaning will take — 1 to 2 shifts for most turbines and casings — allowing customers to plan tightly controlled shutdowns with confidence.
- White Glove Standards: We understand what “clean” needs to look like in this industry — and deliver to that level every time.
- Trusted On-Site: Our crews arrive with OSHA training, drug testing, and site-specific safety certifications already complete. We’re a trusted contractor at major facilities around the country.
With the flexibility to operate nationwide and internationally, and with experience across a wide range of equipment and plant environments, Polar Clean remains a trusted resource for turbine cleaning services that meet the high standards of today’s energy sector. Contact us to learn more about our gas and steam turbine cleaning capabilities.