Analysis of the Effect of Compressor Washing on the Inter Turbine Temperature (ITT) Margin of the PW127 Engine

Authors

  • Gunarso Priambudi Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang, Indonesia
  • Ali Rosyidin Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54783/influencejournal.v8i2.367

Keywords:

Compressor Washing, ITT Margin, PW127M Engine, ATR 72-600, Paired Sample t-Test, ECTM.

Abstract

Aircraft engine performance and reliability are critical factors in ensuring flight safety and operational efficiency. One of the key parameters used to assess the condition of the Pratt & Whitney PW127M turboprop engine is the Inter-Turbine Temperature (ITT) Margin, which represents the available temperature margin relative to the maximum allowable limit. A reduction in ITT Margin generally indicates a decrease in thermal efficiency, often caused by compressor contamination. This study aims to analyze the effect of compressor washing on the ITT Margin of PW127M engines installed on ATR 72-600 aircraft. The research was conducted on ten PW127M engine units operated by PT Wings Abadi Airlines over a four-month observation period, consisting of two months before and two months after compressor washing. Data were collected from the EMRO system, engine logbooks, and Engine Condition Trend Monitoring (ECTM) reports. The analysis employed descriptive statistical methods and a paired sample t-test to evaluate the significance of ITT Margin changes. The results show that all engines experienced an increase in ITT Margin after compressor washing, with an average improvement of 4.9 °C. Statistical testing produced a t-value of 7.10 and a p-value of 0.0000568 (<0.05), indicating a statistically significant difference. These findings confirm that compressor washing is effective in improving engine thermal performance and should be considered an integral part of condition-based maintenance strategies.

References

Archibong-Eso, A. U., Enyia, J. D., & Archibong-Eso, E. U. (2023). Effect of compressor washing on the performance of industrial gas turbine. SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition. https://doi.org/10.2118/217242-MS

Aretakis, N., Mathioudakis, K., & Stamatis, A. (2012). Turboprop engine performance monitoring techniques. Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, 84(5), 322–330.

ATR. (2017). ATR 72-600 Maintenance Planning Document. ATR.

Boyce, M. P. (2012). Gas turbine engineering handbook. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Cumpsty, N. (2003). Compressor Aerodynamics. Krieger Publishing.

Diakunchak, I. S. (1992). Performance deterioration in industrial gas turbines. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 114(2), 161–168.

EPRI. (2003). Gas Turbine Compressor Washing Guide. Electric Power Research Institute.

FAA. (2018). Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook—Powerplant. Federal Aviation Administration.

Farokhi, S. (2014). Aircraft Propulsion. Wiley.

Hanachi, H., Liu, Y., Banisoleiman, K., & Chen, M. (2015). Compressor fouling effects on gas turbine performance. Aerospace Science and Technology, 43, 57–66.

Hill, P., & Peterson, C. (1992). Mechanics and Thermodynamics of Propulsion. Addison-Wesley.

ICAO. (2018). Safety Management Manual (SMM). International Civil Aviation Organization.

Kurz, R., & Brun, K. (2012). Degradation in gas turbine systems. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 134(7), 072401. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4006588

Lakshminarasimha, A. N., Boyce, M. P., & Meher-Homji, C. B. (1994). Modeling and analysis of gas turbine performance deterioration. ASME.

Mattingly, J. D. (2006). Elements of propulsion: Gas turbines and rockets. AIAA Education Series.

Meher-Homji, C. B., & Bromley, A. F. (2004). Gas turbine axial compressor fouling and washing. Proceedings of the Thirty-Third Turbomachinery Symposium.

Moubray, J. (1997). Reliability-Centered Maintenance. Industrial Press.

Pratt & Whitney Canada. (2016). PW127M engine maintenance manual. Pratt & Whitney Canada.

Pratt & Whitney Canada. (2018). Aircraft maintenance manual ATR 72-600. Pratt & Whitney Canada.

Rolls-Royce plc. (2015). The jet engine. Rolls-Royce plc.

Saravanamuttoo, H. I. H., Rogers, G. F. C., Cohen, H., & Straznicky, P. V. (2009). Gas Turbine Theory. Pearson Education.

Seddigh, F., Saravanamuttoo, H. I. H., & Rogers, G. F. C. (2002). The effect of compressor fouling on gas turbine engine performance. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 124(2), 348–353. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1447921

Soares, C. (2014). Gas turbines: A handbook of air, land and sea applications. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Stalder, J. P. (2015). Gas turbine compressor washing state of the art: Field experiences. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 137(6), 062401. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4028727

Walsh, P. P., & Fletcher, P. (2004). Gas Turbine Performance. Blackwell Science.

Zuniga, L. A., & Vermeer, R. (2010). Engine condition monitoring and trend analysis for turboprop engines. Proceedings of the International Conference on Condition Monitoring.

Downloads

Published

28-07-2026

How to Cite

Priambudi, G. ., & Rosyidin, A. (2026). Analysis of the Effect of Compressor Washing on the Inter Turbine Temperature (ITT) Margin of the PW127 Engine. INFLUENCE: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE REVIEW, 8(2), 164–172. https://doi.org/10.54783/influencejournal.v8i2.367