DE4109520A1 - Device for sealing and monitoring space e.g. waste material dump - in which space is enclosed by two sealing layers between which are distance pieces and passages through which fluid medium is circulated - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (2) for sealing and protecting a vol. has the following characteristics: two seals (4,5) are held at a distance from each other by distance pieces (6), and at least one passage (7) is formed between the seals and the distance pieces. This passage has an inlet and an outlet for a fluid medium, and the outlet pipe contains one or more sensors; the two seals are sealed to each other at their edges, except where the passage (7) passes in and out; and the distance pieces are made of a material which inhibits flow. The passage (7) is bounded by permeable diffusion layers between neighbouring distance pieces, and the passage may be in the form of a flexible permeable tube (8) surrounded by a filling material (8a). The distance pieces have a smaller resistance to flow in the direction perpendicular to the passage (7) than parallel to it, and may be made from a fabric or from capillaries or small tubes oriented perpendicular to the passage (7). The edges of the seals (4,5) may be joined by a profiled strip. USE/ADVANTAGE - Used in sealing and monitoring a physical space, e.g., a waste material tip or dump. The location of any leakage can be more exactly determined, and the device can be quickly and easily moved from one place to another.

Description

The invention relates to a device for sealing and Monitor a volume. It also concerns an arrangement from such facilities.

From the Siemens brochure "Long-term landfill monitoring with LEOS" a device for sealing a landfill is known. It is provided that the landfill with a seal is provided. This seal can be below the garbage can be arranged so that no pollutants in the groundwater can reach. The seal can also above the Garbage body laid around an escape of pollutants, for example, of digester gases in the atmosphere other. To detect a leak in this seal early on can, the prospectus sees the laying of as such known LEOS hoses on the abge from the waste body facing side of the seal.

A LEOS hose, as well as facilities necessary for its operation are necessary are known from DE-PS 24 31 907. It han is a hose that passes through for pollutants is casual. A pump is on at one end of the hose ordered with the individual volume of a medium, e.g. B. gas volume, one after the other through the hose be transported through. The hose is this way at regular intervals with constant Rinsing frequency rinsed. Be at the other end of the hose sensors sensitive to pollutants. If in the reverse If the hose gets contaminated, they penetrate into the Hose and be with the next pumping of the medium brought to the sensors. Since the medium with a known  Speed flows, can be deduced from the time difference of the Switch on the pump and the response time of the sensors determine exactly the place where damage occurs between two rinses substances have entered the hose. In addition, the Determine the amount of pollutants.

If there is a leak in the seal not close at hand of the LEOS tube occurs, they are distributed to be detected the leaked substances over a volume before they LEOS hose can reach. With different spread The LEOS hose can reach speeds in this volume multiple positions can be reached at the same time. He can also to be detected, the LEOS tube only at a relative reach far from the leak. Otherwise, the Fabric between two rinses a relatively large hose Reach the section and diffuse in. Then only firm be made that the leak somewhere in the area of this Ab cut lies. The location of the leak can therefore be determined have a relatively large error. With the well-known arrangement A leak in the seal may not always exactly locate be lized. Otherwise, the Abdich must be installed device and the LEOS hoses two operations.

The invention has for its object a device for Sealing and monitoring a volume with which the The location of a leak in a seal must be located more precisely. In addition, the facility should be quick and reliable too be embarrassed.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that two Seals are spaced apart by support elements are arranged, with at least one channel between the seals gene and support elements is formed of a feed line and has a derivative for a medium, the derivative one or more sensors are assigned that the two  Seals in and out of the duct their edges are closely connected and that the support elements consist of a flow-restricting material.

With this device, the advantage is achieved that a Detectant after a leak in one of the seals is led to the canal in a defined manner. The fabric flows not by an environment whose structure is unknown, but penetrates through the support elements to the channel. The flow resistance of the support elements or the cavities is known in the support elements and at least in each axis of the support element constant. The penetrated substance arrives from the leak in the seal first by the shortest route, namely perpendicular to the channel, in the channel. Only after that hits the penetrated substance in adjacent places on the channel. In the period between the occurrence of the leak and the next Flushing forms a substance distribution with one in the sewer Maximum that indicates the location of the leak. With a small flow resistance of a support element are the temporal sub differentiate between the arrival via the direct route and via the somewhat longer distances are very short. It could then be in the Period between the occurrence of the leak and the next flush form a broad, flat material distribution in the sewer, the maximum of which cannot be seen. In that, however, according to the invention, the support elements from a flow-restricting If there is material, the penetrated material moves in one Support element so slow that the time difference of arrival at various points in the canal, even with a short path difference is measurably large. In the period between the occurrence the leak and the next flush can change at a given one Flushing frequency in the sewer then only a narrow, steep distribution of substances training, the maximum of which can be easily recognized with a sensor is. It is therefore easy to determine where the fabric reached the channel first. The leak must then open a line perpendicular to this point on the canal. It can  only one sensor for a certain substance or several sen sensors for different substances.

With the device according to the invention, a leak in the Waterproofing can be localized well.

Through the firm connection of the seals and the channels can the device according to the invention in only one working can be relocated quickly.

If below and above a relocated facility different substances can be expected from the type of detected substance can be concluded whether there is a leak in the top or bottom seal. The The type of substance can be detected by using suitable sensors available. For example, the device according to the Invention seal a landfill. Then one would Penetration of almost pure water for a leak in the of the Close the seal facing away from the landfill.

For example, the channel is through a permeable hose educated. Suitable can be known from DE-PS 24 31 907 Be hose.

According to another example, the channel is in the facility for sealing and monitoring a volume from the neighboring ones Support elements delimited by permeable diffusion layers. Then no hose is required.

The hose can be surrounded by a filling material. As Filling material or as part of the support elements can a desiccant to remove the residual moisture in the one direction used. This allows the measurement accuracy for moisture penetrated by a leak can be improved. To determine a water ingress z. B. a moisture sensor used.  

The support elements point, for example, perpendicular to the channel a smaller flow resistance than parallel to the channel. This has the advantage that there is a leak fabric penetrated into a sealing element in a seal instead of spreading in a circular ellipse. Here is the major axis of the ellipse aligned perpendicular to the channel. As a result, an even narrower, steeper one is achieved in the channel Distribution of matter than when using a flow restrictor changing material as a support element that works in all directions allows the same flow rate. That is also to determine the leak location more precisely.

The material of the support elements that perpendicular to the channel one has less flow resistance than parallel to the channel for example, a tissue directed perpendicular to the channel. The material of the support elements can also be made from vertical capillaries or tubes etc. directed towards the channel be.

The two seals are on their edges, for example tightly connected to each other with attached profiles. Such Profiles are easy to use. The two seals but can also be welded together.

The supply and the discharge for the medium that the channel flows through, can be connected to form a circuit be. The sensor and a pump are then arranged in the circuit net. As long as no leak occurs, the medium that needs the Flows through the channel, not to be constantly renewed.

The circuit has a closable one, for example feed opening and a closable discharge opening. Between the discharge opening and the feed opening is the The circuit can be closed completely or partially. If necessary Medium can be fed and derived. It can be the circle be interrupted so that the entire medium fed  is derived again. Instead, it can be partially sealed connection between discharge opening and feed Opening only part of the medium is exchanged in the circuit will.

For example, in the derivation or in a bypass Discharge a filter arranged by a leak in the Circulation can remove substances that have penetrated. Such a Filter can be a catalytic filter. Especially then if the filter is placed in a bypass of the derivative, the filter can be replaced or cleaned without the integrity of the circuit is compromised. It is possible, the substances removed from the filter during the cleaning process measure up. The filter can be used with a cleaning device and a sensor connected to an integral, sensitive enable measurement.

In addition to the immediate determination of introduced pollutants by the sensor can be the pollutant entry between two filters change can also be determined in the manner described. At a failure of the sensor can at least be recognized, whether there was a leak between two filter changes.

Can be used to clean the filter from the retained substances the filter must be provided with a heater with the aim of to release retained substances by heating. The Filters can also be loaded with water vapor or water be. The substances retained in the filter can also be used with this to be released again.

For example, several of the described device forming a field to seal and monitor a volume be tightly connected. The derivation of the Channel of one element with the supply of the channel of another ren element connected. With such an arrangement Advantage achieved that for sealing a large area, at  for example a landfill, not a one-piece large facility must be available, which would be difficult to transport. It the advantage is achieved that from individual handy Einrich a field can be quickly formed using simple means can do the job of a very large facility for Sealing and monitoring a volume.

The adjacent elements can help to form a field be welded together, for example. However, you can be connected in other ways. For example, you can Profiles that form the edge of an element and that form the two Take up seals of this element, including devices to accommodate the seals of the adjacent elements point. Is located between two neighboring elements then only one profile. To ensure a tight Ver bond may still require a weld.

The channels of adjacent elements can, for example, via Plug connections to be connected to each other. However, there are other types of connection, e.g. B. welded connections possible.

The individual facilities can be combined into one field be joined that the entire field by only one channel is drawn, which covers the entire field in a meandering shape. Then the entire field has only one feed and one derivative and only needs one sensor.

With the device according to the invention the advantage is achieved that a leak in a seal can be pinpointed can. In addition, by detecting which substance is inserted is important to recognize whether the detected substance from the Comes from inside the monitored volume or from outside. To are several sensors for different substances, e.g. B. Harm substances and water, necessary.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a sealed landfill;

Fig. 2 shows a section through a device according to the invention;

Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a device for connecting two Einrich lines according to the invention;

Fig. 5 shows a connection between two adjacent devices without ducting;

Fig. 6 shows an arrangement of several devices according to the invention with the associated system;

Fig. 7 shows the flow path starting from a leak.

According to Fig. 1 shows a waste dump 1 upward and downward by a device 2 configured according to the invention is sealed.

According to FIG. 2, the device 2 of a lower seal 4 and an upper sealing. 5 The two sealing lines 4 and 5 are spaced apart by support elements 6 . A channel 7 is left between the seals 4 and 5 and the support elements 6 , which penetrates the device 2 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. Except for a supply line and a line for the channel 7 , the device 2 is sealed at its edges, for example, by welding the upper seal 5 to the lower seal 4 . In the channel 7, a permeable tube 8 is shown in Fig. 2 laid, which corresponds to the hollow conduit of the DE-PS 24 31 907. The tube 8 is surrounded by a filling material 8 a. The support elements 6 consist of a flow-restricting material. They can also consist of a material that has a smaller flow resistance perpendicular to channel 7 than parallel to channel 7 . Such a material can be a directional fabric. The mate rial can also be built up from parallel capillaries, which are aligned perpendicular to the channel 7 . The filling material 8 a is a material that retains moisture. Filling material 8 a is not absolutely necessary.

Of FIG. 3 may also be dispensed to the hose 8. Then the channel 7 is delimited from the adjacent support elements 6 by permeable diffusion layers 9 . The channel 7 then corresponds to the hollow lines of DE-PS 24 31 907.

According to FIG. 4, the two seals 4 and 5 are connected to each other at their edge by a plugged-profile 10. The profile 10 also serves to accommodate seals 4 and 5 of a further element 2 . In this way, several elements 2 can be combined to form an arrangement. To connect the channels 7 or the tubes 8 of the two elements to be connected, the profile 10 has a push-through opening 11 . A rigid sleeve 12 is arranged there, which is firmly welded in the push-through opening 11 . On the sleeve 12 , for example, hoses 8 can be connected by clips 13 on both sides. Where no connection between adjacent channels 7 is required, adjacent elements 2 can also be connected to one another by a simple weld seam. In the construction shown in Fig. 4, welds 14 are required for sealing.

Fig. 5 shows a welded connection between neigh disclosed elements 2 outside a duct. Instead of a weld seam directly at the connection point of the seals 4 and 5 , this connection can also be covered by a plate 15 which is tightly welded to the two adjacent elements.

According to FIG. 6, an arrangement may be adopted in which the elements 2 are connected to a field. The channels 7 are led through the field in a meandering shape. This requires U-shaped connecting parts 16 for the rows of elements. The channels 7 are part of a circuit for a suitable medium, which is, for example, dry air. In the circuit, a pump 17 and one or more sensors 18 are arranged for substances to be detected. In addition, a pressure meter 19 , a flow meter 20 and a safety valve 21 and a pressure holder 22 may be present. In the circuit, the medium, as known from DE-PS 24 31 907, is passed through the elements 2 at regular intervals. In the event of a leak in one of the elements 2, the penetrated substance is detected in the sensor 18 . For example, the circuit has a feed line 23 and a discharge line 24 , which are provided with valves. Between feed line 23 and discharge line 24 , the circuit can be partially or completely closed by a further valve 25 . As a result, a closed circuit, a partially open circuit or an open circuit is optionally available. The pump 17 can be arranged as a suction pump 17 a before the discharge 24 instead of a pressure pump behind the feed line 23 . A filter 26 is arranged in a bypass for cleaning the medium in the circuit. The filter 26 can be a mechanical filter, an absorptive filter (molecular sieve, carbon filter, silica gel etc.) or a filter that works with catalytic combustion. To clean this filter 26 , it can be separated from the circuit by fittings. A heater 27 for the filter 26 is provided for cleaning. The removed substances are then discharged via a rinsing line 28 or fed to further sensors for integral measurement. The flushing line 28 can also be supplied with hot water or steam to expel the substances to be detected.

Since the medium is passed through the circuit at fixed time intervals (rinsing), the location of the leak in one of the elements 2 can be inferred from the time of detection of a substance in the sensor 18 . If there is a leak in a seal 4 or 5 of the element 2 , the penetrated substance reaches the channel 7 after a period of time and is transported from there with the medium to the sensor 18 .

Fig. 7 shows that due to the flow of the material existing support elements 6 , the penetrated ne substance from a leak 29 slowly and circularly spreads. This ensures that the substance that has penetrated the leak point 29 first reaches the channel 7 via the shortest path perpendicular to the channel 7 . In addition, it is ensured that between the occurrence of the leak and the next flushing of the channel, only a small section of the channel 7 picks up the substance. There is a distribution 30 of the substance in the channel immediately before the next rinse. The distribution 30 is shown in FIG. 7. K is the concentration of the substance in channel 7 and x is the location in channel 7 . This distribution reaches the sensor 18 ( FIG. 6). There, the maximum of the distribution 30 and thus the location of the leak with a relatively wide distribution 30 can only be determined relatively accurately. The accuracy can be increased if the material of the support elements 6 perpendicular to the channel has a smaller flow resistance than parallel to the channel. Then the substance that has penetrated through the leak point 29 spreads out in the form of an ellipse b, the major axis of which is arranged perpendicular to the channel 7 . It follows that the substance in the period between the occurrence of the leak and the next flushing of the channel 7 only reaches a relatively small section of the channel 7 . A distribution 31 results directly before the next rinsing in the channel 7 , the sharp maximum of which can be determined more precisely in the sensor 18 ( FIG. 6). The location of the leak can be determined with the same accuracy.

With the device and the arrangement according to the invention, a leak or several leaks in a seal can be located very precisely and, depending on the composition of the penetrating medium, a distinction can be made as to whether the leak in the upper ( 5 ) or in the lower seal ( 4 ) occured. The point on channel 7 that is closest to the leak can be determined.

Claims (18)

1. Device ( 2 ) for sealing and monitoring a volume, characterized

• - That two seals ( 4 , 5 ) are arranged spaced apart from one another by support elements ( 6 ), at least one channel ( 7 ) being formed between the seals ( 4 , 5 ) and the support elements ( 6 ), which has a feed line and a From the line for a medium, one or more sensors ( 18 ) being assigned to the line,
• - That the two seals ( 4 , 5 ) supply and discharge of the channel ( 7 ) are left open at their edges and tightly connected
• - That the support elements ( 6 ) consist of a flow-restricting material.

2. Device ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel ( 7 ) from the adjacent support elements ( 6 ) is delimited by permeable diffusion layers ( 9 ). 3. Device ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel ( 7 ) is formed by a permeable hose ( 8 ). 4. Device ( 2 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the hose ( 8 ) is surrounded by a filling material ( 8 a). 5. Device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support elements ( 6 ) perpendicular to the channel ( 7 ) have a smaller flow resistance than parallel to the channel ( 7 ). 6. Device ( 2 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the material of the support elements ( 6 ) is a fabric perpendicular to the channel ( 7 ). 7. Device ( 2 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the material of the support elements ( 6 ) from perpendicular to the channel ( 7 ) directed capillaries or tubes, is constructed. 8. Device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the two seals ( 4 , 5 ) are connected to one another at the edge by profiles ( 10 ). 9. Device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that supply and discharge for the medium are connected to each other forming a circuit and that in the circuit the sensor ( 18 ) and a pump ( 17 , 17 a) are arranged. 10. Device ( 2 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the circuit has a closable feed opening ( 23 ) and a closable discharge opening ( 24 ) and that the circuit between the feed opening ( 23 ) and the discharge opening ( 24 ) in whole or in part is lockable. 11. Device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a filter ( 26 ) for receiving pollutants is arranged in the discharge line or in a bypass of the discharge line. 12. Device ( 2 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the filter ( 26 ) is a catalytic filter. 13. Device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the filter ( 26 ) can be separated from the discharge line and is to be connected to a cleaning device and to a sensor ( 18 ) for measuring the substances removed during cleaning. 14. Device ( 2 ) according to claim 13, characterized in that the filter ( 26 ) is provided with a heater ( 27 ). 15. Device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the filter ( 26 ) is to be loaded with water vapor or water. 16. An arrangement of devices ( 2 ) according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the devices ( 2 ) are tightly connected to each other forming a field and the derivation of the channel ( 7 ) of an element ( 2 ) with the supply line of the channel ( 7 ) another element ( 2 ) is connected. 17. The arrangement according to claim 16, characterized in that adjacent elements ( 2 ) are welded together. 18. Arrangement according to one of claims 16 or 17, characterized in that channels ( 7 ) of adjacent elements ( 2 ) are connected to one another via plug connections.