EP0580314A1 - Procédé et dispositif de nettoyage de l'intérieur d'un tube - Google Patents

Procédé et dispositif de nettoyage de l'intérieur d'un tube Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0580314A1
EP0580314A1 EP93305270A EP93305270A EP0580314A1 EP 0580314 A1 EP0580314 A1 EP 0580314A1 EP 93305270 A EP93305270 A EP 93305270A EP 93305270 A EP93305270 A EP 93305270A EP 0580314 A1 EP0580314 A1 EP 0580314A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pipe
cleaning
pig
source
air
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP93305270A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Murata C/O Matsui Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Kazue
Tada C/O Matsui Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Hiroshi
Koishi C/O Matsui Manufact. Co. Ltd. Yoshitaka
Matsui Osamu
Morimoto Kiyoshi
Sanada Yoshika
Miwa Teiichi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Matsui Mfg Co Ltd
KH Neochem Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Matsui Mfg Co Ltd
Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Matsui Mfg Co Ltd, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co Ltd filed Critical Matsui Mfg Co Ltd
Publication of EP0580314A1 publication Critical patent/EP0580314A1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/032—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
    • B08B9/0321—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid
    • B08B9/0325—Control mechanisms therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/032—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
    • B08B9/0321—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid
    • B08B9/0327—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid the fluid being in the form of a mist
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/032—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
    • B08B9/0321—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid
    • B08B9/0328—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid by purging the pipe with a gas or a mixture of gas and liquid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/04—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • B08B9/053—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
    • B08B9/055—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices conforming to, or being conformable to, substantially the same cross-section of the pipes, e.g. pigs or moles
    • B08B9/0551—Control mechanisms therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/04—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • B08B9/053—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
    • B08B9/057—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices being entrained discrete elements, e.g. balls, grinding elements, brushes

Definitions

  • the present Invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning inside of a pipe used in pneumatic transportation systems, dryers, dehumidifiers and many other fields, in particular, cleaning in place.
  • the conventional brushing method has the following problems:
  • the pipe when the pipe is composed as in claim 31, the water sealing effect of the joint part of the pipe is excellent, and if there is water leak between the sleeve and the tubular joint, the water leak can be sucked into the conduit by the air vibration waves.
  • the invention presents a method for cleaning a pipe, according to claim 1, by rendering reciprocal motion of a pig by means of aerial vibration after inserting the pig into the pipe to clean the inside thereof.
  • the embodiment of the invention is a dry cleaning method comprising steps of inserting a pig into a pipe, and cleaning the inside thereof by rendering reciprocal motion of the pig by means of aerial vibration.
  • the wet cleaning method comprises a wetting step for moistening inside of the pipe, a pig insertion step for inserting the pig into the pipe, and a pig cleaning step for cleaning the inside of a pipe by transferring the pig while moving reciprocally by air vibration.
  • a pig squeezing step is provided for squeezing the pig in order to remove moisture from the pig (see claim 3).
  • a method according to claim 4 of the invention is a solution cleaning method comprising steps of cleaning inside of a pipe with a cleaning solution, inserting a pig into the pipe, and cleaning the inside thereof by transferring the pig in reciprocal motion by means of aerial vibration.
  • a pig contracting step is added, when the pig contains water absorbed in it (as shown in claim 5).
  • a rinsing step after completion of the pig cleaning step (as defined in claim 6). It is preferred to conduct a water droplet removing step for removing water droplets in the pipe after completion of the rinsing step (claim 7).
  • a method according to claim 8 or 10 of the invention is provided with a drying step for drying inside of a pipe as a final step in the method of claim 1 or 7 of the invention.
  • the invention presents such methods of dry cleaning a pipe in the inside by using a pig, wet cleaning by the pig, cleaning by the pig after cleaning with a solution, rinsing after cleaning by the pig, and removing water droplets adhered to inside wall of the pipe, or an appropriate combination of them, for example, by adding a drying step thereto.
  • a cleaning solution supplied is bubbled by means of aerodynamic force from an air source (claim 12).
  • a vibratory wave of air for transferring the pig in reciprocal motion and waste heat from the air source that constitutes a source for generating the vibratory wave of air used for pig cleaning are preferably utilized, thereby eliminating an exclusive heater, allowing efficient drying at ordinary temperature, and contributing reduction of energy consumption (claims 13, 14).
  • the invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a pipe in the inside for conducting the methods of the invention.
  • An apparatus comprises a pig removably inserted from an end side of pipe and a vibration generating source for cleaning inside of the pipe by transferring the pig in reciprocal motion by means of aerial vibration.
  • a dry cleaning apparatus is provided.
  • air inlet and outlet are provided in the vibration source, and the pig moving reciprocally in the pipe to be cleaned can be moved freely in the upstream direction or downstream direction by injection or suction of air from the air inlet and outlet, so that the pig may be transferred while moving reciprocally.
  • An apparatus according to claim 17 of the invention is provided with wetting means such as water supply and drainage system for wetting inside of a pipe in addition to the pig and vibration generating source of claim 15, and an apparatus according to claim 17 of the invention is provided with pig contracting means additionally to the pig and vibration generating source. In such cases, a wet cleaning apparatus is provided.
  • An apparatus according to claim 19 of the invention is provided with solution cleaning means for cleaning inside of a pipe with a cleaning solution in addition to the pig and vibration generating source of claim 15, and an apparatus according to claim 19 of the invention is provided with pig contracting means, additionally to the pig, vibration generating source and solution cleaning means, for contracting the pig. In such cases, an arrangement for cleaning with a pig after solution cleaning is provided.
  • the invention provides apparatuses of claims 17 to 22 having rinsing means.
  • the apparatus has water droplet removing means for removing water droplets adhered to inside wall of a pipe (including means for finely breaking such water droplets, as used in the present specification) (claim 25).
  • An apparatus according to claim 27 of the invention is provided with drying means for drying inside of a pipe as a final step in an apparatus of claims 15 to 25 of the invention.
  • drying means it is preferred to dry the inner wall of the pipe by the air flow from the air source as the vibration source used in the pig cleaning.
  • An apparatus of claim 29 of the invention is provided with a position sensor corresponding to points in a pipe where dirts tend to be accumulated in an apparatus according to claims 15 to 28 of the invention, and structured such that a signal transmitted by the position sensor is received by a controller, and the number of reciprocal motions of the pig and waveform of aerial vibration can be adjusted in the vicinity of the position sensor on the basis of the signal received by the controller. In such manner, points in a pipe where dirts tend to be accumulated can be thoroughly cleaned, and a uniform cleaning effect is obtained.
  • the invention presents an apparatus according to claims 15 to 29, wherein the pig forms a spiral slit groove 6 in an outer surface in longitudinal direction of a columnar member, and are rotated by passing air from the air source in the slit groove. Consequently, the pipe can be more uniformly and evenly cleaned, and cleaning effect can be further enhanced.
  • any material can be used for the pig, those having a superior chemical resistance and resiliency for not damaging a body to be cleaned, and being superior in hydrophilic property and wear resistance such as polyvinyl alcohol, pulp and urethane rubber (elastomer) are preferred.
  • the pig is inserted in the pipe to be cleaned and then air vibration is supplied into the pipe, and therefore the pig is moved reciprocally by the vibrating air, and at the same time the degree of air-liquid contact is enhanced in the pipe, and the vaporization of the liquid is activated.
  • the pig moves reciprocally, and the cleaning of the inside of the pipe by its sliding action and drying by promotion of vaporization by vibration are progressed simultaneously. That is, when using air vibration, both effects of cleaning and drying are brought about at the same time. Therefore, separate dryer or conventional brush is not needed, and moreover by properly changing the waveform and frequency of aerial vibration, the pig reciprocal stroke and number of reciprocal motions can be adjusted, and an efficient cleaning depending on the dirtiness of the pipe is achieved.
  • a wetting step for applying moisture in a pipe since a wetting step for applying moisture in a pipe is provided, deposits adhered to the inside wall thereof can be thereby loosened, and cleaning in the succeeding step is further facilitated.
  • a cleaning solution supplied is bubbled by aerodynamic force of an air source.
  • a pig without water content is inserted into the pipe and reciprocally moved by means of aerial vibration within the tubular path, and water droplets adhered to the inside wall of pipe are absorbed and removed by the pig.
  • the air stream from the air source as the vibration source used in pig cleaning in the drying step.
  • a position sensor is provided corresponding to points in a pipe where dirts tend to be accumulated
  • a signal transmitted by the position sensor is received by a controller, and the number of reciprocal motion of the pig and waveform of aerial vibration can be adjusted in the vicinity of the position sensor based on the signal received by the controller, such points in the pipe where dirts tend to be accumulated are thoroughly cleaned.
  • the pig since the pig forms a spiral slit groove in an outer surface in the longitudinal direction of a columnar body, and rotated by passing air from an air source in the slit groove, the pig rotates and cleans inside wall of a pipe, the entire circumference of inside wall of the pipe can be cleaned, and cleaning effect is further increased.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic view showing a part of embodiment 1 of an apparatus of the invention in section.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic process diagram showing operation of a vibration generating source.
  • Figure 3 is a process diagram with a valve member rotated at a predetermined angle from Figure 2.
  • Figure 4 is a process diagram with the valve member further rotated at a predetermined angle from Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 is a process diagram with the valve member further rotated at a predetermined angle from Figure 4.
  • Figure 6 is a waveform chart.
  • Figure 7 is a flow chart of embodiment 1.
  • Figure 8 is a schematic view of embodiment 2 of an apparatus of the invention with a valve member at an original position.
  • Figure 9 is a schematic view with the valve member rotated at a certain angle from the original position of Figure 8.
  • Figure 10 is a plan view showing the vicinity of pig contracting means.
  • Figure 11 is a front view of Figure 10.
  • Figure 12 is a sectional view along line A-A of Figure 11.
  • Figure 13 is a left side view of Figure 11.
  • Figure 14 is a flow chart of embodiment 2.
  • Figure 15 is a schematic view of embodiment 3 of an apparatus of the invention.
  • Figure 16 is a schematic view of embodiment 4 of an apparatus of the invention.
  • Figure 17 is a part of another flow chart of a method of the invention.
  • Figure 18 is the rest of another flow chart of the method of the invention.
  • Figure 19 is a perspective view of a modified example of pig.
  • Figure 20 is a sectional view of a pipe joint.
  • FIG. 1 showing an apparatus of the invention, embodiment 1 is described as well as a method of the invention.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic view showing a partial section of a dry cleaning apparatus 1 of the invention for cleaning a pipe in the inside
  • Figs. 2 to 5 show an airflow vibrated and reciprocal motion of a pig, when a directional control valve 17 from 0 to 270 deg. in a vibration generating source 2.
  • Fig. 6 is a waveform diagram showing changes of air flow vibrated by one rotation of the directional control valve 17 from Fig. 2 through Figs. 3, 4 and 5 to the original position of Fig. 2.
  • Fig. 7 shows a step diagram of the embodiment.
  • numeral 3 shows a main body of cleaning apparatus
  • a pig inserting tube 5 is employed in the main body 3 of the cleaning apparatus, and a pig 6 is removably inserted into the pig inserting tube 5 beforehand.
  • the pig inserting tube 5 is connected to an end 4a of pipe 4 to be cleaned in one end, while the vibration generating source 2 in the other end.
  • the end 4a of pipe 4 is air-tightly connected in communication with a conduit 20 of the vibration generating source 2 through the pig inserting tube 5. Insertion and removal of pig 6 in the main body 3 may alternatively achieved by arranging the pig inserting tube in T shape or any other arrangement.
  • the vibration generating source 2 is provided for the purpose of transferring the pig 6 in reciprocal movement by means of aerial vibration to clean the inside of pipe 4. Since the vibration generating source 2 is based on the same principle as an aerial vibration generating apparatus disclosed in Japan Patent Application No. 4-90406 filed by the inventor and an application thereof, refer to the specification and drawings. However, it is desirable that the vibration generating source 2 provides an aerial vibration (sound wave) of low or medium frequency.
  • the vibration generating source 2 comprises, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, an air source 10 with an inlet 11 and/or outlet 12, a directional control valve 17 having four or more ports 13, 14, 15, 16 ..., a driving source (not shown) such as a motor for driving the directional control valve 17, a discharge pipe 18 and intake pipe 19 for respectively connecting the air source 10 and directional control valve 17, a conduit 20 for connecting the port 14 and the pig inserting tube 5, and a conduit 21 for connecting a filter 23 and the port 16.
  • a driving source such as a motor for driving the directional control valve 17, a discharge pipe 18 and intake pipe 19 for respectively connecting the air source 10 and directional control valve 17, a conduit 20 for connecting the port 14 and the pig inserting tube 5, and a conduit 21 for connecting a filter 23 and the port 16.
  • conduit 20 in connection with the port 14 the main body 3 of cleaning apparatus is connected, air supplied by the air source 10 is vibrated by directionally controlling a valve member 22 housed in a casing 24 of the directional control valve 17 by means of an inverter 8, then, the pig 6 is aerially vibrated by sound wave effect due to the vibration, and transported in reciprocal motion in the advancing direction, and the pipe 4 is cleaned in the inside.
  • the vibration generating source 2 is adapted to be capable of providing a sound wave of low or medium frequency band as an aerial vibration and changing the waveform of a pulse wave, sine wave and the like. Waveform of the aerial vibration is changed in accordance to the vibration frequency or frequency, amplitude, cyclic period and the like.
  • the rotating speed of valve member 22 of the directional control valve 17, mounting angle of the valve member 22 in valve chests 25, 26, angle of rotation of the valve member 22, sectional open area of at least one or more ports or sectional shape of the casing 24, or mounting angle of the ports in the directional control valve 17 may be changed, or other various methods may be adopted.
  • the stroke of reciprocal motion of the pig 6 is increased by reducing the frequency of vibration generating source 2, while the stroke of reciprocal motion of the pig 6 is reduced by increasing the frequency.
  • the former was effected at a frequency of 1 Hz, and the latter at 8 Hz.
  • the figures are not limiting.
  • the pig 6 is firstly inserted into the pipe 4.
  • the main body 3 of cleaning apparatus with the pig 6 pre-inserted into the pig inserting tube 5 may be connected with the pipe 4 so that the pig can be transferred by means of aerial vibration from the vibration generating source 2, the pipe 4 may be connected with the main body 3 after the pig 6 is inserted manually to the inlet side of pipe 4, or other methods may be employed.
  • the air is, then, vibrated by the vibration generating source 2, the pig 6 is transferred in reciprocal motion by means of this vibrational energy, and the inside of pipe 4 is cleaned.
  • the air source 10 such as ring blower, Roots blower and vacuum pump may be selected arbitrarily, as far as it has either one or both of inlet 11 and outlet 12.
  • valve 17 For the directional control valve 17, although a rotary valve comprising a columnar casing 24 with four or more ports 13, 14, 15, 16 ... and a valve member 22 of moving vane type housed in the casing 24 for rotation by a driving source and sectioning it into two valve chests 25, 26 is preferable, other type of valve such as ball valve may be used.
  • the two valve chests 25, 26 sectioned by the valve member 22 may be identical in their respective total passage volumes S1, S2, as shown in the embodiment, in such case, the waveform of aerial vibration shows a simple waveform as sine curve a shown in Fig. 6, as far as conditions such as rotating speed of the directional control valve 17 are same. In other words, the waveform is identical in frequency, amplitude and cyclic period.
  • the waveform of aerial vibration is changed by rotating the valve member 22 in the directional control valve 17 between normal and reverse directions by the inverter 8.
  • other various methods may be employed alternatively to the one above.
  • the waveform of aerial vibration can be changed in accordance to the vibration frequency or frequency, amplitude, cyclic period, continuous wave or pulse wave, and the like.
  • the waveform shown by the solid line a in Fig. 6 can be changed to that of a broken line b or dotted broken line g.
  • the pig 6 By pressing a start button, the pig 6 is inserted into the pig inserting tube 5 in main body 3 of the cleaning apparatus, and the devices are set. Succeedingly, by setting to the desired number of cleaning times, and driving the vibration generating source 2 so that the pig 6 is reciprocally moved within the pipe 4 to be cleaned, the pig 6 is reciprocally moved the preset number of times in the pipe 4 while it is transferred to the leading end of pipe 4 by aerial vibration, and the inside of pipe 4 is cleaned. Then, by removing the devices, cleaning of the pipe 4 is completed.
  • the pig 6 can be set for reciprocal strokes and double acting strokes as desired.
  • An embodiment 2 of an apparatus of the invention is a best mode of the invention described below on the basis of Figs. 8 to 14.
  • the embodiment is specifically characterized by wetting means 40 for obtaining a wet surface in the pipe 4 and pig contracting means 110 for contracting the pig 6 provided additionally to the apparatus for cleaning a pipe in the inside shown in the embodiment 1.
  • a main body 3 of the cleaning apparatus is connected with an end side 4a of pipe 4 to be cleaned in one end, and a vibration generating source 2 comprising an air source 10, directional control valve 17 and the like and wetting means 40 in the other.
  • a conduit 20a air-tightly connected with the end 4a of pipe 4 and the conduit 20 of vibration generating source 2 and a pig inserting tube 5 are provided, the pig inserting tube is provided with pig contracting means 110, and the pig 6 is removably inserted beforehand.
  • the vibration generating source 2 of the embodiment comprises the air source 10, the directional control valve 17 with four ports, a driving source 31 for driving the directional control valve 17, a discharge pipe 18 connecting the air source 10 and the directional control valve 17, an intake pipe 19, a conduit 20 connecting a port of the directional control valve 17 and the pig inserting tube 5, an outside air inlet pipe 32 sharing the conduit 20 and introducing the outside air, and is formed generally in similar manner to the embodiment 1.
  • Numeral 34 is a filter, 35 a valve, 36 a collection filter, and 37 a collection tank.
  • the wetting means 40 may have any structure, in this embodiment, it is structured so as to supply and discharge such cleaning solution as clean pipe water and distilled water.
  • the wetting means 40 comprises a solution supply source 48, a feed pipe 41 connected with a solution supply source 48, a feed controller 46 connected with the pipe in the other end and feeding the solution while discharging a part of it during feeding, and a drain pipe 42 for discharging the solution fed and used in the pipe 4, the leading end of feed pipe 41 is in communication through the main body 3 with the pipe 4 to be cleaned and with the feed controller 46, and the trailing end of drain pipe 42 is in communication through the main body 3 with the pipe 4.
  • numeral 44 is a feed valve, and 45 a cartridge filter.
  • the solution fed to the feed pipe 41 is not limited to water of ordinary temperature, but may be warm water.
  • the pig contracting means 110 is provided to remove water absorbed by the pig 6.
  • the pig contracting means 110 such structure as shown in Figs. 10 to 13 may be employed.
  • the pig contracting means 110 comprises a driving source 112 such as a fluid pressure cylinder provided on a top plate 111 of the box-type pig inserting tube 5, a pressure plate 114 connected with a driving shaft 113 of the driving source 112 and applying pressure to the pig 6 for dewatering, and a duckboard 115 formed with spacings therein so that it can be flexed along the curved surface of pig 6, and the pig 6 is contracted by diving the driving source 112, and vertically moving the pressure plate 114.
  • the contraction of the pig 6 may be achieved automatically as shown in Figs. 10 to 13 or manually.
  • Numerals 116, 117 show valves.
  • an overflow pipe 463 is uprightly provided slightly above a bottom plate 462 that forms a housing 461, a slit 464 is formed between the lower end of overflow pipe 463 and the upper surface of bottom plate 462, and flow rate from the pipe 4 is higher than discharge rate of the slit 464, thus, when overflow exceeding the upper end of overflow pipe 453 occurs in the housing 461, the solution is discharged from the upper part to the lower part in the overflow pipe 463.
  • Initial supply water containing heavy dirt in the pipe 4 that is cleaned by the wetting means is discharged, at the beginning of operation, from the drain pipe 42 through an outlet 465 and discharge pipe 466.
  • the discharge operation can be automatically performed by combining a level sensor 47, timer and the like.
  • vibration generating source 2 at this stage is as described in association with the embodiment 1.
  • the directional control valve 17 upon actuation of the air source 10, the directional control valve 17 initiates continuous rotation, and when the valve member 22 of the directional control valve 17 is in an inclined state as shown in a solid line in Fig. 8, for example, the air discharged from the air source 10 is supplied, as shown by an arrow, from the discharge pipe 18 through the port 49, valve chest 25 and conduit 20b, and from the conduit 20 through the main body 3 of cleaning apparatus into the pipe 4 to be cleaned, so that the pig 6 is subjected to aerial vibration shown in section a of the curve a in Fig. 6, for example, and advanced in the forward direction.
  • the positioning of valve member 22 is changed from the state of Fig.
  • the pig 6 in order to suck the air in the conduits 20, 20b to the side of intake pipe 19 of air source 10, the pig 6 is subjected to aerial vibration shown in section b of the solid line a in Fig. 6, and advanced in such manner that the central point of amplitude in the reciprocal motion is shifted toward the leading end, while it is repeatedly reciprocated in a state slightly retracted from the first-mentioned position.
  • the pig 6 may be advanced by applying air pressure from the outside air inlet pipe 32 as supplemental to the reciprocal operation of pig 6 by the vibration generating means 2 so that the central point of amplitude during the reciprocal motion of pig 6 is shifted toward the leading end.
  • the air taken from the conduits 20, 20b through ports 52 and 51, intake pipe 19, air source 10, discharge pipe 18 and ports 49 and 50 is discharged through the filter 34 to outside of the system.
  • the inside of pipe 4 is cleaned by aerially vibrating and transferring the pig 6 in reciprocal motion, in which the forwarding step of the pig 6 as shown in Fig. 8 and the retracting step thereof as shown in Fig. 9 are alternately repeated.
  • the pig 6 rubs the inside wall of pipe 4 with a medium of water while it is transferred.
  • Such cleaning step by the pig 6 (which corresponds to a solution cleaning step) is repeated the number of times desired.
  • the stroke length of reciprocal motion of the pig 6 can be changed as desired.
  • the waveform of aerial vibration can be varied according to the vibration frequency or frequency, amplitude, cyclic period and the like.
  • such method of changing the rotating speed of valve member 22 in the directional control valve, mounting angle or angle of rotation of the valve member 22, sectional open area of the ports in valve member 22, and mounting angle of the ports may be appropriately adopted, and an arbitrary waveform can be selected without being limited to the waveform shown in Fig. 6.
  • the waveform is changed by the controller 33 or inverter in the side of air source 10.
  • the valve member 22 of directional control valve 17 is rotated and stopped at an attitude shown in Fig. 9 by activating the controller 33, and the airflow within the pipe 4 is, as described above, directed in the rearward direction as indicated by an arrow.
  • the pig 6 is sucked in the rearward direction of airflow, and returned to the original position in the main body 3 of cleaning apparatus.
  • the pig 6 is returned to the original position, and contracted and dewatered by the pig contracting means 110.
  • the wetting step for wetting the inside of pipe 4 by means of the wetting means 40, pig inserting step, pig cleaning step and pig contracting step can be set for the time, number, sequence and the like as desired by the controller 33.
  • a rinsing step for discharging dusts remaining in the pipe 4 out of the system is added, if required, by using such rinsing means 55 as the wetting means 40 or other supply and discharge apparatus provided separately.
  • the rinsing step is added. That is, after completion of the pig cleaning step, water is supplied into the pipe 4 by commonly using the solution supply source 48 and feed pipe 41 that are the wetting means 40, and discharged from the drain pipe 42 to outside the system after the inside of pipe 4 is washed with the water.
  • the rinsing step is repeated the predetermined times.
  • the cleaning solution supplied is not bubbled by aerodynamic force from the air source.
  • a water droplet removing step for removing water droplets deposited on the inside wall of pipe 4 is added.
  • the pig 6 that is dewatered beforehand is inserted into the pipe 4 in the same manner as in the pig cleaning step, and reciprocally moved in the advancing direction the predetermined times in the pipe 4 by aerial vibration from the vibration generating source 2, so that water droplets adhered to the inner circumferential wall and the like of pipe 4 is absorbed and removed by the pig 6.
  • the pig 6 is returned to the original position in the main body 3, and dewatered, and the water removed therefrom is discharged from the drain pipe 42.
  • the water droplet removing means comprises the pig 6, the vibration generating source 2 and the pig contracting means 110, it is not limited in the structure, but may have a modified design as desired.
  • the water droplet removing step can be eliminated when unnecessary.
  • drying means 60 for drying the inside of pipe 4 is provided.
  • the vibration generating source 2 comprising the air source 10, directional control valve 17 and the like may be commonly used, means comprising the outside air inlet pipe 32, valve 35 and the like, or both the former and latter may be used.
  • the inside wall of pipe 4 can be dried approximately at an ordinary temperature with an exclusive heater.
  • the former the inside of pipe 4 can be dried by means of waste heat of the vibration generating source 2 (specifically, the air source 10) without using a heater.
  • the valve member 22 of the directional control valve 17 is positioned in upstanding attitude, as shown by dotted broken line 22' in Fig. 8, by the controller 33, and air discharged from the air source 10 is continuously directed, as shown by an arrow, from the discharge pipe 18 through the port 49, valve chest 25 and conduit 20b, and from the conduit 20 through the main body 3 into the pipe 4 that is cleaned, thus, through-flow drying the pipe for a predetermined time.
  • the air discharged from the air source 10 is heated, as described, by the waste heat, the inside of pipe 4 is hot-air dried by the waste heat energy.
  • Positioning of the valve member 22 is achieved by such positioning means as photoelectric switch and lead switch.
  • wave of aerial vibration used for transferring the pig in reciprocal motion and waste heat from the air source that constitute the vibration generating source for generating the wave of aerial vibration may be utilized.
  • the former drying means 60 and the latter drying means 60 may be selectively or simultaneously employed. Also, the drying means 60 is not limited to the two examples, but may be arbitrarily chosen.
  • the rinsing, water droplet removing and drying steps can be set for the time, number, sequence and the like as desired.
  • Fig. 14 The steps of Fig. 14 are merely examples of operation of the embodiment, and can be changed as desired.
  • the wetting step for wetting the inside of pipe 4 by the wetting means 40, pig inserting step for inserting the pig 6 into the pipe 4 and the pig cleaning step for cleaning the inside of pipe 4 by transferring the pig 6 while aerially vibrating it in reciprocal motion by the vibration generating means 2 can be performed.
  • a method of the invention according to claim 3 comprising the pig contracting step for dewatering the pig 6, when required, by pig contracting means in addition to the wetting, pig inserting and pig cleaning steps can be conducted.
  • a method comprising the solution cleaning step for cleaning the inside of pipe 4 with a cleaning solution by using the wetting means 40, pig inserting step for inserting the pig 6 into the pipe 4, and pig cleaning step for cleaning the inside of pipe 4 by transferring the pig 6 in reciprocal motion by means of aerial vibration by the vibration generating source 2 can be achieved.
  • a method, as defined in claim 5, comprising the pig contracting step for contracting the pig 6 by the pig contracting means 110 in addition to above steps can be conducted.
  • methods of the invention including, additionally to the steps, the rinsing step by the rinsing means 55 after completion of the pig cleaning step, as specified in claim 6, and further including the water droplet removing step in addition to these steps after completion of the rinsing step, as described in claim 7, can be performed. Also, methods comprising the drying step for drying the inside of pipe 4 by the drying means 60 as a final step as defined in claims 8 to 10 can be achieved.
  • the embodiment is specifically characterized by a fact that warm water supply means 70 and warm air supply means 80 are added to the structure of embodiment 2, while the other parts are structured generally in the same manner as those shown in Figs. 8 and 9.
  • the feed pipe 41 constituting the wetting means 40 is a line a
  • a warm water pipe 71 branched from a part of line a and connected in communication with the other part is provided as line b
  • a heater 72, filter 73 and warm water valve 74 that constitute the warm water supply means 70 are respectively and sequentially connected to the warm water pipe 71. Therefore, in wetting the inside of pipe 4, water is supplied along the line a as shown in a solid arrow, while warm water is supplied into the pipe 4 by using a line b as shown in a dotted broken arrow and sharing a part of the line a, when warm water is supplied.
  • a line c is formed by connecting directional control valves 81, 82 such as electromagnetic valve to the conduit 20 on the upstream side of collection filter 36 and downstream side of collection tank 37, and a line d by the conduit 20c connected to the directional control valves 81, 82 in both ends thereof, and a filter 83, heater 84 and filter 85 that constitute the warm air supply means 80 are connected to the line d.
  • directional control valves 81, 82 such as electromagnetic valve
  • the aerial vibration is conducted to the inside of conduits 20b, 20 and 20a including the line c, the pig 6 within the pipe 4 is aerially vibrated and cleans the pipe, and the inside of pipe 4 can also be through-flow dried, as described in association with the embodiment 2, by switching the vibration generating means 2 and valve member 22 as required.
  • the inside of pipe 4 can be through-flow dried by using the route of outside air inlet pipe 32 as well.
  • the thermal energy can be directed with air from the air source 10 constituting the vibration generating means 2, and the inside of pipe 4 can be hot-air dried as well.
  • the warm water supply means 70 is not limited to the structure shown in Fig. 15, and the design can be modified, for example, so as to separately provide an independent route from the wetting means 40.
  • the warm air supply means 80 is not limited to the structure shown in Fig. 15, and an exclusive conduit for the warm air supply means 80, for example, can be used instead of sharing the conduit 20, or an air source separately provided may be employed in the warm air supply means 80 shown in Fig. 15 as a ventilation source instead of using the air source 10 of the vibration generating source 2.
  • the wetting means 40 of Fig. 15 is substituted by solution cleaning means 90
  • the solution supply source 48, feed pipe 41, cartridge filter 45, water supply valve 44 and drain pipe 42 are also used as the solution cleaning means 90
  • the inside of pipe 4 is cleaned with a solution by the solution cleaning means
  • the embodiment comprises at least the pig 6 removably inserted from an end side of the pipe 4 and vibration generating means 2 for transferring the pig 6 in reciprocal motion by aerial vibration to clean the inside of pipe 4.
  • Initial supply water containing heavy dirt in the pipe 4 that is cleaned by the solution cleaning means 90 is discharged at the beginning of operation from the drain pipe 42 through the outlet 46 and discharge pipe 466 of the feed controller 46.
  • the discharge operation can be automatically performed by combining a level sensor 47, timer and the like.
  • pig contracting means 110 shown in Figs. 10 to 13 rinsing means 55, water drop removing means, warm water supply means 70 and drying means 60 comprising warm air supply means 80, through-flow drying means or the like are provided.
  • FIG. 17 shows a part of another preferred process of a method of the invention, Fig. 18 the remaining part thereof.
  • a cleaning apparatus structured as shown in Figs. 8 to 13, the process of the figures is described below.
  • the operation for cleaning a pipe in the inside is generally common with the example of process of Fig. 14.
  • it comprises a wetting step (also referred to as humidifying step), pig cleaning step using a pig and cleaning water, rinsing step, water droplet removing step and drying step.
  • a wetting step also referred to as humidifying step
  • pig cleaning step using a pig and cleaning water pig and cleaning water
  • rinsing step water droplet removing step
  • drying step the drying step.
  • the pig 6 in the main body 3 of cleaning apparatus is contracted by the pig contracting mean 11.
  • the feed valve 116 is opened, discharge valve 117 is closed, water is supplied from the solution supply source 48 into the pipe 4 by the wetting means 40, and the wetting step A is started.
  • the supply solution is bubbled by aerodynamic force from the air source 10 for loosening deposits adhered to the inside wall of pipe 4, and discharged. Such operation is performed the predetermined number of times.
  • a cleaning solution is supplied into the pipe 4, and the pig cleaning step B (solution cleaning step) wherein the inside of pipe 4 is cleaned by transferring the pig 6 in reciprocal motion by aerial vibration (at low frequency) is conducted.
  • the pig cleaning step B solution cleaning step
  • the pig 6 is returned to the original position and dewatered. Waste water produced during the operation is discharged from the drain pipe 42.
  • Such pig cleaning step B is repeated the predetermined number of times.
  • the rinsing step C for supplying a cleaning solution into the pipe 4 and rinsing the inside thereof is performed.
  • the cleaning solution supplied is bubbled by aerodynamic force from the air source 10. Such operation is performed the predetermined number of times.
  • a water droplet removing step D is performed for removing water droplets adhered to the inside wall of pipe 4.
  • the vibration generating source 2 is activated, and a low frequency wave is provided.
  • the pig 6 absorbs water droplets therein, while being reciprocally moved by the low frequency wave. The pig 6 with water absorbed therein is returned to the original position, then, dewatered.
  • the drying step E by utilizing the energy of aerial vibration wave (at low frequency) for transferring the pig 6 in reciprocal motion and energy of waste heat from the air source 10 that constitute the vibration generating source 2 for generating the wave of aerial vibration, the inside of pipe 4 is dried without using any heater.
  • the drying operation is performed until a set water content of a humidity sensor and set drying time are reached, when the set water content and set drying time are reached, the vibration generating means 2 is turned off, and the cleaning and drying are completed in the case that a target value is reached after confirming the dryness.
  • a position sensor 100 is provided corresponding to points in the pipe 4 (such as bends) where dirts tend to be accumulated, so that such variables as the number of reciprocal movements of the pig 6 and waveform of the aerial vibration can be adjusted in the vicinity of the position sensor 100.
  • the waveform of aerial vibration and the like can be adjusted by receiving a signal transmitted from the position sensor 100 by a controller 33, and rotating the valve member 22 in the normal or reverse direction by an inverter 8, or the waveform and the like may be similarly adjusted by changing the rotating speed of air source 10. In such manner, the points in the pipe 4 where dirts tend to be accumulated can be intensely cleaned.
  • a columnar sponge is used in the embodiment, the shape is selected as desired.
  • the shape is selected as desired.
  • the pipe of the invention has special means. That is, explaining by reference to Fig. 20, the pipe 4 is combining by connecting two or more short pipes 400, 401, ..., and the end parts 400a, 401a of the adjacent short pipes 400, 401, ... are connected with a pair of tubular joints 410, 411 having a same inner wall surface as the inner wall surface of the same short pipes 400, 401.
  • outward flanges 412, 413 are formed, and at the inner wall sides of the joints 410, 411 confronting the flanges 412, 413, a sleeve insertion groove 414 is formed, and a sleeve 415 having an O-ring 415 and possessing a greater stiffness than the short pipes 400, 401, ... is inserted in the sleeve insertion groove 414.
  • a clamp band 417 is held and tightened by the outward flanges 412, 413.
  • a dry method (claim 1), wet method (claim 2) and solution cleaning method (claim 4) may be independently employed, respectively, or these three method may be performed in an appropriate combination.
  • the pig contracting, rinsing, water droplet removing and drying steps can be performed in an appropriate combination with above methods. Sequence of the steps can be appropriately combined without being limited in Figs. 7, 14, 17 and 19, and performed.
  • the wetting means 40 (claims 17, 18), pig contracting means 110 (claims 21, 22), solution cleaning means 90 (claim 19), rinsing means (claims 23, 24), water droplet removing means (claims 25, 26) and drying means 60 (claims 27, 28) can be appropriately combined. Then, these means are adapted to automatically clean the inside of pipe 4.
  • the invention may be applied also for the purpose of drying only.
  • the pig is not necessary if it is intended to remove moisture in the pipe or remove water content contained in the seam.
  • an air lead-in pipe 9 or fresh air lead-in pipe 32 is provided in the vibration source 2 as air inlet and outlet, and the pig 6 moving reciprocally in the pipe 4 to be cleaned is transferred freely in the upstream direction or downstream direction by injection or suction of air from the air inlet and outlet, so that the pig 6 is transferred while moving reciprocally.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
EP93305270A 1992-07-24 1993-07-06 Procédé et dispositif de nettoyage de l'intérieur d'un tube Ceased EP0580314A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP23995192 1992-07-24
JP239951/92 1992-07-24
JP22039893A JP3421791B2 (ja) 1992-07-24 1993-07-05 配管内の洗浄方法とその装置
JP220398/93 1993-07-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0580314A1 true EP0580314A1 (fr) 1994-01-26

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93305270A Ceased EP0580314A1 (fr) 1992-07-24 1993-07-06 Procédé et dispositif de nettoyage de l'intérieur d'un tube

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EP (1) EP0580314A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP3421791B2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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WO2002096574A1 (fr) * 2001-05-30 2002-12-05 Psl Technology Limited Cochonnet intelligent
CN111822454A (zh) * 2020-07-17 2020-10-27 安徽佳福莱食品有限公司 一种封闭管道用的高压清洗干燥一体装置

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JP2004008174A (ja) * 2002-06-11 2004-01-15 Asahi Breweries Ltd 製造設備及びその排熱利用方法
US7448105B2 (en) * 2004-07-20 2008-11-11 The Boeing Company Pneumatic cleaning methods and systems
JP4989576B2 (ja) * 2007-08-10 2012-08-01 株式会社栗本鐵工所 水道管の洗浄方法
CN103252123B (zh) * 2013-06-03 2015-04-22 云南大红山管道有限公司 一种防止陶瓷过滤机进料管道堵塞的装置
CN113909233A (zh) * 2019-02-22 2022-01-11 钟小二 一种清管器
KR102302154B1 (ko) * 2019-07-24 2021-09-15 세메스 주식회사 배관 드라이 장치 및 기판 처리 장치

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US3148689A (en) * 1960-11-22 1964-09-15 Colorado Interstate Gas Compan Method and system for gas transmission
US3432383A (en) * 1963-01-17 1969-03-11 Bolton Emerson Method for cleaning the orifices of shower tubes by applying suction and brushing
US3474479A (en) * 1967-09-29 1969-10-28 Harry J Girard Pipeline cleaning device
US4122575A (en) * 1977-05-09 1978-10-31 Nihon Pipeline Service Kabushiki Kiahsa Tube cleaning material
EP0104520A2 (fr) * 1982-09-28 1984-04-04 Nukem GmbH Méthode et dispositif pour nettoyer et contrôler la surface interne d'une conduite
EP0400422A1 (fr) * 1989-05-30 1990-12-05 Friedrich Bersch Dispositif de nettoyage pour conduites de boissons, notamment conduites de débit de boissons

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3148689A (en) * 1960-11-22 1964-09-15 Colorado Interstate Gas Compan Method and system for gas transmission
US3432383A (en) * 1963-01-17 1969-03-11 Bolton Emerson Method for cleaning the orifices of shower tubes by applying suction and brushing
US3474479A (en) * 1967-09-29 1969-10-28 Harry J Girard Pipeline cleaning device
US4122575A (en) * 1977-05-09 1978-10-31 Nihon Pipeline Service Kabushiki Kiahsa Tube cleaning material
EP0104520A2 (fr) * 1982-09-28 1984-04-04 Nukem GmbH Méthode et dispositif pour nettoyer et contrôler la surface interne d'une conduite
EP0400422A1 (fr) * 1989-05-30 1990-12-05 Friedrich Bersch Dispositif de nettoyage pour conduites de boissons, notamment conduites de débit de boissons

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002096574A1 (fr) * 2001-05-30 2002-12-05 Psl Technology Limited Cochonnet intelligent
CN111822454A (zh) * 2020-07-17 2020-10-27 安徽佳福莱食品有限公司 一种封闭管道用的高压清洗干燥一体装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH06154719A (ja) 1994-06-03
JP3421791B2 (ja) 2003-06-30

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