Steam Cleaning vs. Dry Ice Blasting for Natural Gas Turbines: Which One Is Right for You?

When it comes to cleaning natural gas turbines, maintaining a high standard of cleanliness is critical for reducing downtime and maintaining high performance.

Like many aspects of power generation, turbine cleaning requires balancing efficiency, safety and environmental considerations. Non-abrasive methods like dry ice blasting effectively remove contaminants without damaging sensitive turbine components, while steam cleaning offers a quieter alternative for noise-sensitive environments.

Polar Clean offers both steam cleaning and dry ice blasting, allowing clients to choose the best method based on their requirements. While these methods deliver equally effective results, they each have advantages depending on the type and complexity of the job.

Steam Cleaning vs. Dry Ice Blasting: A Quick Comparison

Feature	Dry Ice Blasting	Steam Cleaning
Speed	Faster: completed in one day	Slower: takes about twice as long – 2+ days depending on facility size
Noise Levels	Louder: may disrupt other contractors	Quieter: operates like a fancy clothes steamer
Cost	Comparable	Comparable
Effectiveness	Removes carbon, rust, and combustion by-products effectively	Removes carbon, rust, and combustion by-products effectively
Additional Steps	No post-cleaning required	Requires hand wiping to dry surfaces
Best for…	Time-sensitive projects	Noise-sensitive environments

When to Choose Each Method

Dry Ice Blasting	Steam Cleaning
Perfect for projects where time is of the essence. It’s faster and eliminates the need for post-cleaning, making it a highly efficient choice. Additionally, it’s an environmentally responsible option that requires no secondary cleanup.	Ideal for job sites with noise restrictions or where a quieter operation is necessary. While it takes longer, it provides the same high-quality results with minimal disruption to other contractors on-site.

Proven Expertise in Turbine Cleaning

Polar Clean works with major OEMs – including GE and Siemens – to deliver reliable and effective cleaning solutions for natural gas turbines. Whether you need a quieter cleaning process or a faster turnaround, we have the expertise to meet your needs.

Our reputation for meticulous, safe and effective cleaning has been built through more than a decade of reliable service across industries like:

• Power generation: including natural gas and steam turbines
• Oil refineries & petrochemical plants: where safety and precision are critical
• Food processing facilities: for hygienic, environmentally safe cleaning
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing & commercial printing: requiring non-abrasive, thorough cleaning
• Historical & industrial restoration projects: preserving integrity while delivering aggressive cleaning power

Ready to learn more? Download our guide to dry ice blasting for power generation or contact one of our cleaning experts to discuss your turbine cleaning project and discover which method is the best fit for your operation.

Contact us to learn more about cleaning natural gas turbines