EP1047490B1 - Method for generating and circulating a foam in an installation and device for carrying out said method - Google Patents

Method for generating and circulating a foam in an installation and device for carrying out said method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1047490B1
EP1047490B1 EP99900935A EP99900935A EP1047490B1 EP 1047490 B1 EP1047490 B1 EP 1047490B1 EP 99900935 A EP99900935 A EP 99900935A EP 99900935 A EP99900935 A EP 99900935A EP 1047490 B1 EP1047490 B1 EP 1047490B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
foam
installation
liquid phase
liquid
phase
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99900935A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1047490A1 (en
Inventor
Bruno Fournel
Maria Faury
Jean-Marie Le Samedy
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.)
Orano Cycle SA
Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives CEA
Original Assignee
Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique CEA
Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires SA
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/235—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids for making foam
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/40—Static mixers
    • B01F25/45—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads
    • B01F25/452—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads characterised by elements provided with orifices or interstitial spaces
    • B01F25/4524—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads characterised by elements provided with orifices or interstitial spaces the components being pressed through foam-like inserts or through a bed of loose bodies, e.g. balls
    • B01F25/45241—Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads characterised by elements provided with orifices or interstitial spaces the components being pressed through foam-like inserts or through a bed of loose bodies, e.g. balls through a bed of balls

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method of generating of a foam from a liquid phase and a gas phase, to a circulation process of a foam in an installation and a method of cleaning a plant by putting into circulation of a foam.
  • the invention also relates to a device of generating a foam and a device for generation and circulation of a foam in an installation.
  • the method of the invention may be useful for example in a cleaning process and / or decontamination of an installation by a foam.
  • the cleaning and / or liquid phase decontamination of a large volume having for example a geometry internal complex generate volumes of effluents important.
  • the use of a foam, containing one or several cleaning reagents and / or decontamination allows a significant decrease volumes of effluents generated.
  • Cleaning and / or decontamination of an installation is carried out by injection of the foam inside the installation clean and / or decontaminate and sometimes by circulation of foam in these facilities.
  • the method of the invention is particularly advantageous for cleaning and / or decontamination of installations operating in depression such as a pneumatic transport network of samples intended for to analyzes, a ventilation circuit or a conduct, having undergone radioactive contamination.
  • Foam generation is usually done by mechanical agitation of a liquid, by expansion brutal gas solubilized in a liquid, or by injection of gas and liquid under pressure at the entrance of a static porous medium.
  • patent application EP-A-0 526 305 describes on the one hand a process for preparing a foam of passing a gas under pressure to through a sintered plate in the presence of a solution, the solution and the gas being suitable for forming a foam.
  • the document cited above also describes a method of cleaning an installation in which the foam is propelled into the installation by the gas pressure used to generate the foam.
  • the flow of gas and liquid are set to generate the foam, at the entrance of the installation, independently characteristics of said installation to be cleaned.
  • the process of preparing a foam and cleaning of an installation described in this document are not suitable for cleaning sensitive installations, in particular of installations for which pressure above atmospheric pressure is prohibited.
  • the present invention aims to provide a method of generating a foam from a phase liquid and a gas phase to generate a homogeneous foam with few or no pockets air.
  • the method of the invention is characterized in that that it includes a step of generating the foam by aspiration of the liquid phase and the phase gas through a porous lining.
  • the principle of the method of the invention consists in no longer inject liquid and gaseous phases under pressure in the porous lining, but to drain them through the pores or interstices of the packing, in establishing a constant depression downstream of this packing.
  • the gaseous phase and the liquid phase are sucked simultaneously through the lining under the effect of the Depression.
  • the porous lining therefore acts as a contactor between the gas phase and the liquid phase.
  • the gas phase-liquid phase mixture is produced in the porous lining in which there is creation interfaces and therefore foam.
  • the energy needed for mixing and creating interfaces is brought by the flow of the liquid and gaseous phases in the packing under the effect of depression.
  • the chemical composition of the foaming solution is chosen according to the use to which it is intended for the generated foam.
  • the foam can for example a cleaning foam, and / or decontamination of an installation, and / or a foam of degreasing, a rinsing foam, a foam intended for to apply a film with properties by example surfactants or bactericidal.
  • a foam of constant quality will have a constant abundance.
  • mosses prepared by the methods of the prior art present an abundance of about 10 to 15.
  • the expansion also provides an order of magnitude of the value of the decrease in the volume of effluents generated liquids for example when the foam is used to clean an installation.
  • the abundance also makes it possible to evaluate the amount of air pockets present in the foam, and therefore to evaluate the quality of this foam.
  • the phase liquid may comprise in addition to at least one agent foaming surfactant conventionally used to generate a foam, at least one stabilizing agent or destabilization of a foam allowing to modify the lifetime of the foam and its moisture content, and / or at least one cleaning agent and / or at least one agent decontamination and / or at least one agent degreasing of an installation.
  • the liquid phase can be an aqueous solution of at least one surfactant and at least one destabilizing agent of the foam.
  • the constituents of the liquid phase in particular the agent of destabilization of the foam, and their quantity are chosen so as to obtain a lifetime of the foam 15 to 30 minutes and a humidity of 2 to 20%.
  • the destabilizing agent can be a compound organic which destabilizes the foam by acting on the dynamic surface tension, for example an alcohol preferably having a boiling point slightly greater than that of water, for example a point boiling point 110 ° C to 130 ° C.
  • a secondary alcohol C5 or C6 such as pentanol-2.
  • the amount of agents destabilization represents 0.2 to 1% by weight of the liquid phase.
  • the reagent of decontamination can consist of the reagents usually used in wet decontamination.
  • reactants consisting of acids or inorganic or organic bases.
  • acidic reagents include hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid and acid which may be used alone or in combination with combination.
  • Reagents can also be used organic, such as citric and oxalic acids.
  • NAOH NAOH
  • KOH KOH
  • oxidants such as H 2 O 2 or the permanganate ion.
  • their concentration in the liquid phase can be up to 10 mol.l -1 , for example, when it comes to basic reagents, their concentration can range up to 5 mol, for example. .l -1 .
  • a viscosity compound such as polyethylene glycol, for example polyethylene glycol, is preferably added to the liquid phase.
  • the sulfuric acid accelerates a phenomenon of direct decantation of the liquid phase through the interface separating the gas bubbles from the foam, but this can be slowed down by means of this viscosity compound.
  • the concentration of viscous compound the liquid phase does not exceed 1% by weight.
  • the liquid phase of the foam also includes less a surfactant promoting the formation of the foam, preferably two agents are used surfactants each consisting of betaine in particular a sulfobetaine and an ether alkyl oligosaccharide.
  • two agents are used surfactants each consisting of betaine in particular a sulfobetaine and an ether alkyl oligosaccharide.
  • the association of these two surfactants is interesting because it remains surfactant whatever the pH and therefore also suitable well in a neutral environment, for example for a rinse of an installation, whether in an acidic or basic environment, that is to say with the decontamination reagents acidic or basic.
  • the betaine concentration is 0.2 to 0.5% by weight and the concentration in ether
  • the alkyl oligosaccharide is 0.3 to 1% by weight.
  • a sulfobetaine can be used such as that sold by the company SEPPIC under the trade name AMONYL (registered trademark).
  • alkyl ether of oligosaccharide useful as a second surfactant we can mention the one sold by the company SEPPIC under the trade name ORAMIX CG110 (registered trademark), and sold by the company ROHM and HASS under the name commercial of TRITON CG60 (registered trademark).
  • the levels of surfactants and / or stabilizing agents or destabilizers are chosen according to the duration of life of the foam that you want to get.
  • the levels of Decontamination and / or cleaning reagents are chosen according to the nature of the objects to decontaminate and / or clean as well as the type and degree of decontamination and / or desired cleaning.
  • Another variable involved in the quality of the foam generated according to the process of the invention is the flow of the liquid phase coming into contact with the porous packing.
  • This flow can be fixed using a dosing pump.
  • the flow rate of the liquid phase is adjusted depending on the flow rate of the gas phase and the aspiration of the liquid and gaseous phases through the porous packing.
  • the flow of the liquid phase must also be adjusted according to the porous packing in particular of the pore size of this lining.
  • the quality of the foam can also depend on the the way in which the liquid comes into contact with the porous lining; indeed, by promoting the arrival in contact with the porous lining the creation coarse foam, we increase the quality of the generated foam. So there is an influence of the mode spraying the liquid on the surface of the lining may lead to more distribution or less homogeneous of it.
  • the arrival of the phase liquid in contact with the lining can be achieved by example by means of a spray nozzle, or in interposing a grid between the arrival of the phase liquid in the enclosure and the porous lining, that is to say above the porous lining.
  • depression downstream of the porous filling this depression causing the aspiration of the liquid and gaseous phases through the porous packing.
  • value of the flow of generated foam is a function of this downstream depression porous packing.
  • depression chosen should take into account the loss of pressure in the porous lining. For this reason, one can control the flow of foam at the outlet of the lining porous using a flow meter, and you can adjust the value of this flow rate by means of a control system of depression.
  • This lining can be any medium offering a passage allowing a flow of the liquid phase and the gas phase through the porous lining so to ensure their mixing.
  • the pore openings of the porous lining can preferably be evenly distributed in the volume of the lining, these openings will preferably be of dimension low, for example from 100 ⁇ m to a few mm, in order to promote the mixing of the gas phase and the phase liquid and avoid the appearance of air pockets in the foam. However, too fine pores can cause significant pressure losses.
  • the porous lining can be choice of a stack of metal grids, a fabric synthetic knit of the FORAFLON type (registered trademark), sand, diatomites or pearlites, balls calibrated solids, or any other material presenting adequate interstices to generate a foam.
  • calibrated balls for example balls of calibrated glass.
  • the value of the loss of pressure in the porous medium can thus be precisely and reproducibly controlled by the thickness of the bed of balls and the diameter of the balls.
  • a bed of calibrated glass beads can initially be based on two relationships classics valid for incompressible fluids, homogeneous and Newtonian.
  • the factor B expressed in m 2 is called permeability. This factor is characteristic of the porous medium and depends on its geometry.
  • the KOZENY-CARMAN model allows calculate the permeability B of a porous medium consisting of calibrated spheres.
  • the mathematical expression of this model will not be detailed here. We will remember that in the case of an incompressible Newtonian fluid, the permeability is inversely proportional to the square the diameter of the spheres making up the bed.
  • the depression downstream of the porous lining can be from 5 ⁇ 10 3 to 80 ⁇ 10 3 Pa, preferably from 30 ⁇ 10 3 to 60 ⁇ 10 3 Pa.
  • the enclosure can be covered by means of a cover having at least one opening allowing the gas inlet chosen for the development of the foam, or be open air in case the gas used to generate the foam is the ambient air.
  • the flow foam at the outlet of the porous lining will be also function of the geometry of the enclosure.
  • the method of the invention makes it possible to generate mosses having an abundance of 5 to 40.
  • the gaseous phase for the process of the invention can be air, nitrogen, oxygen, a neutral gas such as argon or helium that can be used alone or in combination.
  • the invention also relates to a method of putting a foam into circulation in an installation comprising a step of generating a foam by aspiration of a liquid phase and a phase gaseous gases through a porous level of a first end of the installation of such that the generated foam is introduced in said facility and flows through it to a second end of the installation, aspiration being achieved by creating a depression in said installation from said second end.
  • the depression created in installing from said second end is at the origin of the aspiration of the liquid phases and gas through the porous lining and then putting in circulation of the foam in the installation.
  • this method of setting circulation of a foam in an installation can be applied to a cleaning process a installation by a cleaning foam.
  • the sentence liquid then comprises one or more agents cleaners.
  • the liquid phase can furthermore comprise a degreasing agent.
  • the cleaning foam can be in addition a decontaminating foam, this one comprises then one or more decontaminants.
  • decontaminating agents may be for example radioactive decontamination agents or bacterial following the installation to be cleaned.
  • the foam can be received in a receiving tank, from the second end of the enclosure, and destabilized naturally, chemically and / or mechanically.
  • Natural destabilization achieves by the use of a foam having a duration of limited life, chemical destabilization is made by adding to the foam, in this tank of receiving a destabilizing agent cited previously, and mechanical destabilization can be realized for example by means of a generator ultrasound, a centrifuge or a turbine fins.
  • the method may further comprise the steps of collecting the foam from the second end of the installation, to destabilize the foam collected in order to obtain a liquid, and use at least a portion of said liquid as a phase liquid to generate the foam put into circulation in said installation.
  • This embodiment can also be called recycling mode.
  • the liquid can be purified before to be used as a liquid phase to generate the foam.
  • This purification aims, for example, in the case of cleaning processes and / or decontamination of an installation to eliminate wastes driven by the circulation of foam in installation.
  • This purification can be carried out by for example, by means of adequate filters.
  • the enclosure can have any shape, for circular example, and consists of a material that can be chosen according to the porous filling, the liquid phase, and the gas phase used, and depending on the depression applied to generate the foam.
  • This enclosure is preferably waterproof.
  • the enclosure can be "open sky".
  • porous lining that can be used is previously described.
  • the means of introduction into said enclosure by at least one inlet opening of a liquid phase can for example include a metering pump to introduce into the enclosure the phase liquid, this pump can be provided with a means of flow measurement of this liquid phase for example a flowmeter.
  • This pump can be connected to a tank of preparation and storage of the liquid phase.
  • a spray nozzle or a grid may be used, preferably a spray nozzle.
  • This nozzle or grid in ensuring a good distribution of the liquid, allow to promote from the entry of the liquid phase on the porous filling creating a coarse foam on top of this lining thus increasing the quality generated foam.
  • the means to introduce into the said pregnant the gas phase can include means regulating the gas introduction pressure in said enclosure and optionally a reservoir of said gas.
  • the aspiration of the liquid and gaseous phases to through the porous packing causes the suction of the ambient air, it can then be provided on the enclosure, upstream of the porous lining, at least one opening Ambient atmospheric air inlet equipped possibly a flowmeter.
  • the suction means of said liquid phase and of said gas phase through the porous lining, or means to create depression may be by example a vacuum pump possibly equipped with a condensate trap, this pump can realize evacuating from said enclosure the foam generated.
  • the device may be provided with a valve or a solenoid valve for fixing and regulating the depression downstream of the lining in the enclosure.
  • the device according to the invention can also be provided means for measuring the depression in said pregnant.
  • the device for circulating a foam in a facility is particularly advantageous to clean and / or to decontaminate said installation.
  • the enclosure, the lining, the means introducing into said chamber the liquid phase and the means for introducing into said enclosure the gas phase may be those described above.
  • the sealed connection means may for example be gaskets that will be designed to ability to resist the chemical composition of the foam generated, and the depression needed to generate the suction foam from the liquid and gaseous phases to through the porous lining.
  • the suction means of the liquid phase and gaseous through the porous and creative lining of the depression in the said part of the installation in which the foam must flow may be those previously described and may further include a condensate trap.
  • This device can also include means of adjustment and measurement described previously.
  • the device for generating a foam and putting a foam into circulation in an installation according to the invention may also include a foam flowmeter placed downstream of the porous lining of to be able to measure the amount of foam generated and regulate the depression in the installation and flow rates of the gaseous and liquid phases in the enclosure.
  • This device may further comprise a tank of receiving the foam placed at the level of the second end of the installation. It can also include a pressure sensor, draining or recovering a liquid phase destabilization of said foam.
  • the device can comprise in addition means for recovering a liquid from of a destabilization of the foam in the tank of receiving the foam, and means for pumping said liquid to the introduction means of the phase liquid in the enclosure of the generating device the foam.
  • This device can then include valves isolation, a pumping system of this liquid from the tank for receiving the foam into the tank of preparation and storage of the liquid phase used to generate the foam. Said liquid can then be reintroduced, by the means of introduction of the phase liquid, in the enclosure containing the lining porous, for example by a dosing pump, from the preparation and storage tank of the phase liquid.
  • the device can then operate in single pass mode or in recovery.
  • the foam is received and stored in a receiving tank that can include means to destabilize the foam to accelerate the return to the liquid form.
  • Destabilization can be natural, or be accelerated for example using a mechanical device such as those described previously and / or chemically adding by example a destabilizing agent such as alcohol.
  • the vessel can then be emptied by means of a valve, continuous or periodically.
  • recovery mode In recovery mode, called still mode recycling, the liquid resulting from the destabilization natural or accelerated foam, after a first passage in an installation for example to decontaminate and / or clean, is recovered periodically or continuously from the receiving tank to the means of a recovery pump, or pump of recycling, and reinjected into the preparation tank and storage of the liquid phase connected to the pump metering of the liquid phase.
  • the mode of operation in recycling is particularly preferred for a industrial application of the decontamination system offers.
  • a means of purifying the recovered liquid may be placed downstream of the receiving tank of the foam and upstream of the means of introduction of the liquid phase in the enclosure of the device generation of the foam, for example from the tank of preparation and storage of the liquid phase.
  • Figure 1 schematically illustrates a mode of embodiment of a device 1 for generating a foam according to the invention comprising an enclosure 3, a porous packing 5 disposed in said enclosure 3, means 9 and 11 for introducing into said pregnant a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, respectively, suitable for generating a foam, and suction means of said liquid phase and of said gas phase through the porous lining 5, the generated foam being removed from said enclosure 3 by these suction means.
  • the porous lining 5 consists of balls of calibrated glass, leaving gaps 7 across which the liquid phase percolates.
  • Means 9 and 11 allow to introduce in the enclosure a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, respectively and in particular the means 9 of introducing the liquid phase into the enclosure comprises means for spraying 13 of the liquid phase in the enclosure, on the porous lining.
  • Figure 2 schematically illustrates a device cleaning a plant 20 with a foam, facility 20 includes a first end 20a and a second end 20b, the first end 20a and the second end 20b delimiting the part of installation 20 to be cleaned by the foam.
  • the device cleaning device comprising a generation device 1 of a foam as described above, means of sealed connection between the generation device 1 foam and the installation to be cleaned, and means 30, 32 and 34 to create a depression in said installation.
  • the means 30, 32 and 34 are respectively a pressure sensor, a valve isolation and pressure regulation and a vacuum pump charged to create depression in the installation 20 and the device 1.
  • This cleaning device also includes a reservoir 44 for preparation and storage of the phase liquid.
  • a metering pump 48 makes it possible to take using a dip pipe 46 the liquid phase in this tank 44 and drive this liquid phase to the device 1 foam generator.
  • a flowmeter 50 is placed upstream of the device foam generator to control the flow of the liquid phase introduced into this device 1.
  • This cleaning device is also provided an isolation valve 24 disposed between the device 1 and the installation 20, of a foam flowmeter 22 arranged between the valve 24 and the installation 20, and of a receiving tank 26 of the foam at the level of second end 20b of the installation 20.
  • the receiving vessel 26 of the foam comprises a valve 36 for setting the atmospheric pressure of installation.
  • the foam after being generated in the device 1 by suction of the liquid phases and appropriate gas through the porous lining thanks to the vacuum pump 34, passes through the installation 20 from the first end 20a and then from the second end 20b is conducted using a piping 28 plunging to the bottom of the tank of reception 26.
  • the foam can be stored in this receiving tank 26 and being destabilized by an agent chemical destabilization and / or device such as those mentioned above for accelerate its return to the liquid form.
  • the tank can then be drained by a valve 38.
  • the foam is destabilized chemically and / or mechanically in the receiving tank 26, to form a liquid which by so-called recycling or recovery means is carried back to the means 9 of spraying, this liquid again forming the liquid phase of a foam.
  • These recycling means include, for example a valve 38, a pump 42 recycling, and 40, leading this liquid into the reservoir 44 for preparation and storage of the phase liquid to be carried back by means of a pipe plunger 46, a metering pump 48, and a flowmeter 50 in the device 1.
  • This second embodiment of the invention, or recycling mode, is particularly preferred for a industrial application of a system of decontamination and / or cleaning according to the invention.
  • the device may further comprise a purification device 52 of the outgoing liquid effluent of the receiving tank 26, by which the liquid transits, to be cleaned of cleaning waste and / or decontamination, before reaching the tank 44 storage.
  • the entry and the exit of the effluent liquid in the purification device 52 can be controlled for example by means of valves 53.
  • the speaker used in these examples for the generation of a foam has an internal diameter of 30 mm, and the installation is a cylindrical pipe of inner diameter substantially identical to that of the enclosure.
  • the porous lining is a bed of glass balls, spherical, 1.6 mm in diameter and the cylindrical pipe has a length of 4 m. Tests were carried out with two z-bed thicknesses of 0.05 m and 0.08 m respectively, and at a constant depression of 15 ⁇ 10 3 Pa.
  • the velocity of the foam V m was measured in ms -1 as a function of the liquid phase flow rate Ql passing through the porous liner in l / h.
  • Figure 3 is a graph illustrating these results, on which the columns 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 62 a, 62 b and 62 c show the same reference tests, V m the speed of foam in m / s and z the thickness of the bed of balls in m.
  • the diameter of the glass balls of the porous packing is 3 mm or 1.6 mm
  • the thickness of the packing z is 0.08 m
  • the depression is constant at 15 ⁇ 10 3 Pa
  • the length of the cylindrical pipe of 4 m.
  • the velocity V m of circulation of the foam is measured in m / s in the cylindrical pipe.
  • liquid and gaseous phases used are the same as those described for Example 1.
  • Table 2 below groups the results of the measurements in this example.
  • TESTS 70 a 70 b 70c 70 d 62 a 62 b 62 c DIAMETER OF POROUS TRIM BEADS (mm) 3 3 3 3 3 1.6 1.6 1.6 THICKNESS OF BED z (in m) 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08 Ql in l / h 5 10 15 20 5 10 15 V m (m / s) 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.17 0,021 0,027 0,030
  • Figure 4 is a graph illustrating these results on which the references 70 ad and 62 ac correspond to those given in the tests in Table 2.
  • liquid and gaseous phases used are the same as those described in the previous examples and the length of the pipe cylindrical is 4 m.
  • the tests of this example are carried out for two thicknesses z of the porous packing: 0.08 m (tests 80) and 0.11 m (tests 82).
  • the diameter of the balls of the porous packing is 0.003 m for all the tests and the depression is constant at 15x10 3 Pa.
  • the speed of circulation of the foam observed for each group of tests is constant: either 0.15 m / s for the 80 tests; and 0.12 m / s for tests 82.
  • Figure 5 is a graphical representation of Table 3 results, on which the references 80 and 82 correspond to tests 80 and 82, respectively.
  • Example 2 the liquid and gaseous phases of Example 1 are used, the cylindrical pipe has a length of 15 meters, the diameter of the balls is of 0.003 m and the thickness of the porous lining is 0.08 m.
  • Figure 6 is a graphical representation of Table 4 results.
  • This point A corresponds to the minimum vacuum ⁇ P in the circuit measured with respect to the atmospheric pressure, from which the foam exhibits a Newtonian-type rheological behavior.
  • ⁇ P 43 ⁇ 10 2 Pa.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Emulsifying, Dispersing, Foam-Producing Or Wetting Agents (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Porous Articles, And Recovery And Treatment Of Waste Products (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Gas Separation By Absorption (AREA)

Description

Domaine technique de l'inventionTechnical field of the invention

L'invention se rapporte à un procédé de génération d'une mousse à partir d'une phase liquide et d'une phase gazeuse, à un procédé de mise en circulation d'une mousse dans une installation et à un procédé de nettoyage d'une installation par mise en circulation d'une mousse.The invention relates to a method of generating of a foam from a liquid phase and a gas phase, to a circulation process of a foam in an installation and a method of cleaning a plant by putting into circulation of a foam.

L'invention se rapporte également à un dispositif de génération d'une mousse et à un dispositif de génération et de mise en circulation d'une mousse dans une installation.The invention also relates to a device of generating a foam and a device for generation and circulation of a foam in an installation.

Le procédé de l'invention peut être utile par exemple dans un procédé de nettoyage et/ou de décontamination d'une installation par une mousse. En effet, les procédés de nettoyage et/ou de décontamination en phase liquide d'une installation de grand volume possédant par exemple une géométrie interne complexe génèrent des volumes d'effluents importants. L'utilisation d'une mousse, contenant un ou plusieurs réactifs de nettoyage et/ou de décontamination, permet une diminution significative des volumes d'effluents générés. Le nettoyage et/ou la décontamination d'une installation est réalisé par injection de la mousse à l'intérieur de l'installation à nettoyer et/ou à décontaminer et parfois par mise en circulation de la mousse dans ces installations. The method of the invention may be useful for example in a cleaning process and / or decontamination of an installation by a foam. In Indeed, the cleaning and / or liquid phase decontamination of a large volume having for example a geometry internal complex generate volumes of effluents important. The use of a foam, containing one or several cleaning reagents and / or decontamination, allows a significant decrease volumes of effluents generated. Cleaning and / or decontamination of an installation is carried out by injection of the foam inside the installation clean and / or decontaminate and sometimes by circulation of foam in these facilities.

Le procédé de l'invention est particulièrement avantageux pour le nettoyage et/ou la décontamination d'installations fonctionnant en dépression tels qu'un réseau de transport pneumatique d'échantillons destinés à des analyses, un circuit de ventilation ou une conduite, ayant subi une contamination radioactive.The method of the invention is particularly advantageous for cleaning and / or decontamination of installations operating in depression such as a pneumatic transport network of samples intended for to analyzes, a ventilation circuit or a conduct, having undergone radioactive contamination.

Etat de la techniqueState of the art

La génération de mousse s'effectue généralement par agitation mécanique d'un liquide, par détente brutale d'un gaz solubilisé dans un liquide, ou par injection de gaz et de liquide sous pression à l'entrée d'un milieu poreux statique.Foam generation is usually done by mechanical agitation of a liquid, by expansion brutal gas solubilized in a liquid, or by injection of gas and liquid under pressure at the entrance of a static porous medium.

Ainsi, la demande de brevet EP-A-0 526 305 décrit d'une part un procédé de préparation d'une mousse consistant à faire passer un gaz sous pression à travers une plaque frittée en présence d'une solution, la solution et le gaz étant appropriés pour former une mousse.Thus, patent application EP-A-0 526 305 describes on the one hand a process for preparing a foam of passing a gas under pressure to through a sintered plate in the presence of a solution, the solution and the gas being suitable for forming a foam.

Le document cité précédemment décrit également un procédé de nettoyage d'une installation dans lequel la mousse est propulsée dans l'installation par la pression du gaz utilisée pour générer la mousse. Le débit du gaz et du liquide sont fixés pour générer la mousse, à l'entrée de l'installation, indépendamment des caractéristiques de ladite installation à nettoyer. Le procédé de préparation d'une mousse et de nettoyage d'une installation décrits dans ce document ne sont pas appropriés pour le nettoyage d'installations sensibles, notamment d'installations pour lesquelles une pression supérieure à la pression atmosphérique est proscrite.The document cited above also describes a method of cleaning an installation in which the foam is propelled into the installation by the gas pressure used to generate the foam. The flow of gas and liquid are set to generate the foam, at the entrance of the installation, independently characteristics of said installation to be cleaned. The process of preparing a foam and cleaning of an installation described in this document are not suitable for cleaning sensitive installations, in particular of installations for which pressure above atmospheric pressure is prohibited.

Il est donc nécessaire de proposer un système de génération et de mise en circulation d'une mousse fonctionnant à des pressions inférieures ou égales à la pression atmosphérique.It is therefore necessary to propose a system of generation and circulation of a foam operating at pressures less than or equal to the atmospheric pressure.

Exposé de l'inventionPresentation of the invention

La présente invention a pour but de fournir un procédé de génération d'une mousse à partir d'une phase liquide et d'une phase gazeuse permettant de générer une mousse homogène, présentant peu ou pas de poches d'air.The present invention aims to provide a method of generating a foam from a phase liquid and a gas phase to generate a homogeneous foam with few or no pockets air.

Le procédé de l'invention se caractérise en ce qu'il comprend une étape consistant à générer la mousse par aspiration de la phase liquide et de la phase gazeuse à travers un garnissage poreux.The method of the invention is characterized in that that it includes a step of generating the foam by aspiration of the liquid phase and the phase gas through a porous lining.

Le principe du procédé de l'invention consiste à ne plus injecter des phases liquides et gazeuses sous pression dans le garnissage poreux, mais à les drainer à travers les pores ou interstices du garnissage, en établissant une dépression constante en aval de ce garnissage.The principle of the method of the invention consists in no longer inject liquid and gaseous phases under pressure in the porous lining, but to drain them through the pores or interstices of the packing, in establishing a constant depression downstream of this packing.

La phase gazeuse et la phase liquide sont aspirées simultanément à travers le garnissage sous l'effet de la dépression. Le garnissage poreux agit donc comme un contacteur entre la phase gazeuse et la phase liquide.The gaseous phase and the liquid phase are sucked simultaneously through the lining under the effect of the Depression. The porous lining therefore acts as a contactor between the gas phase and the liquid phase.

Le mélange phase gazeuse-phase liquide est réalisé dans le garnissage poreux dans lequel il y a création d'interfaces et donc de mousse. L'énergie nécessaire au mélange et à la création d'interfaces est apportée par l'écoulement des phases liquide et gazeuse dans le garnissage sous l'effet de la dépression.The gas phase-liquid phase mixture is produced in the porous lining in which there is creation interfaces and therefore foam. The energy needed for mixing and creating interfaces is brought by the flow of the liquid and gaseous phases in the packing under the effect of depression.

Afin d'obtenir une mousse de qualité constante en sortie du garnissage, il faut contrôler diverses variables intervenant dans le procédé de génération présenté ci-dessus. Ces variables sont la composition chimique de la phase liquide, appelée encore solution moussante, le débit de phase liquide arrivant au contact du garnissage poreux, le débit de phase gazeuse entraíné par l'aspiration, la géométrie du garnissage poreux placé dans une enceinte, et la géométrie de ladite enceinte.In order to obtain a constant quality foam in out of the lining, you have to control various variables involved in the generation process presented above. These variables are the composition chemical phase of the liquid phase, still called solution foaming, the flow of liquid phase arriving at the contact of the porous packing, the gas phase flow driven by the suction, the geometry of the lining porous placed in an enclosure, and the geometry of said enclosure.

La composition chimique de la solution moussante est choisie en fonction de l'utilisation à laquelle est destinée la mousse générée. En effet, la mousse peut être par exemple une mousse de nettoyage, et/ou de décontamination d'une installation, et/ou une mousse de dégraissage, une mousse de rinçage, une mousse destinée à appliquer un film présentant des propriétés par exemple tensioactives ou bactéricides.The chemical composition of the foaming solution is chosen according to the use to which it is intended for the generated foam. Indeed, the foam can for example a cleaning foam, and / or decontamination of an installation, and / or a foam of degreasing, a rinsing foam, a foam intended for to apply a film with properties by example surfactants or bactericidal.

La qualité de la mousse peut être définie par exemple par une durée de vie, par un taux d'humidité, ou par son foisonnement. La durée de vie d'une mousse peut être définie comme le temps nécessaire à la transformation totale d'un volume donné de mousse en liquide et gaz. Le taux d'humidité d'une mousse peut être défini par le rapport du volume de phase liquide sur le volume de mousse. Le foisonnement F d'une mousse est défini dans les conditions normales de température et de pression par la relation (1) suivante : F = Vgaz + Vliquide Vliquide = Vmousse Vliquide avec :

  • F = le foisonnement en unité de foisonnement,
  • Vgaz = le volume de la phase gazeuse dans la mousse,
  • Vliquide = le volume de la phase liquide dans la mousse,
  • Vmousse = le volume de la mousse.
The quality of the foam can be defined for example by a lifetime, by a humidity level, or by its expansion. The life of a foam can be defined as the time required for the total transformation of a given volume of foam into liquid and gas. The moisture content of a foam can be defined by the ratio of the liquid phase volume to the foam volume. The expansion F of a foam is defined under the normal conditions of temperature and pressure by the following relation (1): F = V gas + V liquid V liquid = V foam V liquid with:
  • F = expansion in unit of expansion,
  • V gas = the volume of the gas phase in the foam,
  • V liquid = the volume of the liquid phase in the foam,
  • V foam = the volume of the foam.

Une mousse de qualité constante aura un foisonnement constant. Généralement, les mousses préparées par les procédés de l'art antérieur présentent un foisonnement de l'ordre de 10 à 15. Le foisonnement fournit également un ordre de grandeur de la valeur de la diminution du volume d'effluents liquides générés par exemple, lorsque la mousse est utilisée pour nettoyer une installation.A foam of constant quality will have a constant abundance. Generally, mosses prepared by the methods of the prior art present an abundance of about 10 to 15. The expansion also provides an order of magnitude of the value of the decrease in the volume of effluents generated liquids for example when the foam is used to clean an installation.

Le foisonnement permet également d'évaluer la quantité de poches d'air présentes dans la mousse, et donc d'évaluer la qualité de cette mousse.The abundance also makes it possible to evaluate the amount of air pockets present in the foam, and therefore to evaluate the quality of this foam.

Lorsque la mousse est destinée à effectuer un nettoyage et/ou une décontamination et/ou un dégraissage, selon le procédé de l'invention, la phase liquide peut comprendre en plus d'au moins un agent tensioactif moussant classiquement utilisé pour générer une mousse, au moins un agent de stabilisation ou de déstabilisation d'une mousse permettant de modifier la durée de vie de la mousse et son taux d'humidité, et/ou au moins un agent de nettoyage et/ou au moins un agent de décontamination et/ou au moins un agent de dégraissage d'une installation.When the foam is intended to perform a cleaning and / or decontamination and / or degreasing, according to the process of the invention, the phase liquid may comprise in addition to at least one agent foaming surfactant conventionally used to generate a foam, at least one stabilizing agent or destabilization of a foam allowing to modify the lifetime of the foam and its moisture content, and / or at least one cleaning agent and / or at least one agent decontamination and / or at least one agent degreasing of an installation.

Lorsque la mousse est destinée à effectuer un rinçage d'une installation, la phase liquide peut être une solution aqueuse d'au moins un agent tensioactif et d'au moins un agent de déstabilisation de la mousse.When the foam is intended to perform a rinsing an installation, the liquid phase can be an aqueous solution of at least one surfactant and at least one destabilizing agent of the foam.

Dans une composition de mousse utilisable pour mettre en oeuvre le procédé de l'invention, les constituants de la phase liquide en particulier l'agent de déstabilisation de la mousse, et leur quantité sont choisis de façon à obtenir une durée de vie de la mousse de 15 à 30 minutes et un taux d'humidité de 2 à 20%. In a foam composition usable for implement the method of the invention, the constituents of the liquid phase in particular the agent of destabilization of the foam, and their quantity are chosen so as to obtain a lifetime of the foam 15 to 30 minutes and a humidity of 2 to 20%.

Des exemples de phases liquides appropriées pour mettre en oeuvre le procédé de l'invention sont décrits dans EP-A-0 526 305.Examples of liquid phases suitable for implement the method of the invention are described in EP-A-0 526 305.

L'agent de déstabilisation peut être un composé organique qui déstabilise la mousse en agissant sur la tension superficielle dynamique, par exemple un alcool ayant de préférence un point d'ébullition légèrement supérieur à celui de l'eau, par exemple un point d'ébullition de 110°C à 130°C. De préférence on utilise un alcool secondaire en C5 ou C6 tel que du pentanol-2.The destabilizing agent can be a compound organic which destabilizes the foam by acting on the dynamic surface tension, for example an alcohol preferably having a boiling point slightly greater than that of water, for example a point boiling point 110 ° C to 130 ° C. Preferably we use a secondary alcohol C5 or C6 such as pentanol-2.

Généralement la quantité d'agents de déstabilisation représente de 0,2 à 1% en poids de la phase liquide.Generally the amount of agents destabilization represents 0.2 to 1% by weight of the liquid phase.

Dans la phase liquide de la mousse, le réactif de décontamination peut être constitué par les réactifs habituellement utilisés dans les procédés de décontamination par voie humide. Lorsque les objets à décontaminer sont métalliques, on utilise en particulier des réactifs constitués par des acides ou des bases inorganiques ou organiques. A titre de réactifs acides on peut citer l'acide chlorhydrique, l'acide nitrique, l'acide sulfurique et l'acide phosphorique qui peuvent être employés seuls ou en combinaison. On peut également utiliser des réactifs organiques tels que les acides citriques et oxaliques.In the liquid phase of the foam, the reagent of decontamination can consist of the reagents usually used in wet decontamination. When objects to decontaminate are metallic, we use in particular reactants consisting of acids or inorganic or organic bases. As acidic reagents include hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid and acid which may be used alone or in combination with combination. Reagents can also be used organic, such as citric and oxalic acids.

A titre de réactifs basiques on peut citer NAOH, KOH et leurs mélanges, auxquels on peut ajouter par exemple des oxydants tels que H2O2 ou l'ion permanganate.As basic reagents, mention may be made of NAOH, KOH and their mixtures, to which may be added, for example, oxidants such as H 2 O 2 or the permanganate ion.

Lorsqu'il s'agit de réactifs acides leur concentration dans la phase liquide peut aller par exemple jusqu'à 10 mol.l-1, lorsqu'il s'agit de réactifs basiques, leur concentration peut aller par exemple jusqu'à 5 mol.l-1.When it comes to acidic reagents, their concentration in the liquid phase can be up to 10 mol.l -1 , for example, when it comes to basic reagents, their concentration can range up to 5 mol, for example. .l -1 .

Lorsque l'on utilise un réactif acide constitué par H2SO4 à une concentration supérieure à 3 mol.l-1, on ajoute de préférence à la phase liquide un composé viscosant tel que le polyéthylène glycol, par exemple du polyéthylène glycol de masse moléculaire moyenne 6000. En effet, l'acide sulfurique accélère un phénomène de décantation directe de la phase liquide à travers l'interface séparant les bulles de gaz de la mousse, mais celle-ci peut être ralentie au moyen de ce composé viscosant.When an acidic reagent consisting of H 2 SO 4 at a concentration of greater than 3 mol.l -1 is used , a viscosity compound such as polyethylene glycol, for example polyethylene glycol, is preferably added to the liquid phase. In fact, the sulfuric acid accelerates a phenomenon of direct decantation of the liquid phase through the interface separating the gas bubbles from the foam, but this can be slowed down by means of this viscosity compound.

Généralement la concentration en composé viscosant de la phase liquide ne dépasse pas 1% en poids.Generally the concentration of viscous compound the liquid phase does not exceed 1% by weight.

La phase liquide de la mousse comprend aussi au moins un agent tensioactif favorisant la formation de la mousse, de préférence on utilise deux agents tensioactifs constitués respectivement par une bétaïne en particulier une sulfobétaïne et par un éther alkylique d'oligosaccharide. L'association de ces deux agents tensioactifs est intéressante car elle reste tensioactive quel que soit le pH et convient donc aussi bien en milieu neutre, par exemple pour un rinçage d'une installation, qu'en milieu acide ou basique, c'est-à-dire avec les réactifs de décontamination acides ou basiques.The liquid phase of the foam also includes less a surfactant promoting the formation of the foam, preferably two agents are used surfactants each consisting of betaine in particular a sulfobetaine and an ether alkyl oligosaccharide. The association of these two surfactants is interesting because it remains surfactant whatever the pH and therefore also suitable well in a neutral environment, for example for a rinse of an installation, whether in an acidic or basic environment, that is to say with the decontamination reagents acidic or basic.

Généralement la concentration en bétaïne est de 0,2 à 0,5% en poids et la concentration en éther alkylique d'oligosaccharide est de 0,3 à 1% en poids.Generally the betaine concentration is 0.2 to 0.5% by weight and the concentration in ether The alkyl oligosaccharide is 0.3 to 1% by weight.

On peut par exemple utiliser une sulfobétaïne telle que celle vendue par la Société SEPPIC sous le nom commercial AMONYL (marque déposée). For example, a sulfobetaine can be used such as that sold by the company SEPPIC under the trade name AMONYL (registered trademark).

A titre d'exemple d'éther alkylique d'oligosaccharide utilisable comme deuxième tensioactif on peut citer celui vendu par la Société SEPPIC sous le nom commercial ORAMIX CG110 (marque déposée), et celui vendu par la Société ROHM et HASS sous le nom commercial de TRITON CG60 (marque déposée).As an example of alkyl ether of oligosaccharide useful as a second surfactant we can mention the one sold by the company SEPPIC under the trade name ORAMIX CG110 (registered trademark), and sold by the company ROHM and HASS under the name commercial of TRITON CG60 (registered trademark).

Comme on l'a vu précédemment, les teneurs en agents tensioactifs, et/ou en agents stabilisants ou déstabilisants sont choisies en fonction de la durée de vie de la moussé que l'on veut obtenir. Lorsque la mousse est destinée au nettoyage et/ou à la décontamination d'une installation, les teneurs en réactifs de décontamination et/ou de nettoyage sont choisies en fonction de la nature des objets à décontaminer et/ou à nettoyer ainsi que du type et du degré de décontamination et/ou de nettoyage désiré.As noted above, the levels of surfactants and / or stabilizing agents or destabilizers are chosen according to the duration of life of the foam that you want to get. When the foam is intended for cleaning and / or decontamination of an installation, the levels of Decontamination and / or cleaning reagents are chosen according to the nature of the objects to decontaminate and / or clean as well as the type and degree of decontamination and / or desired cleaning.

A titre d'exemple, la phase liquide d'une mousse, par exemple de rinçage, utilisable selon le procédé de l'invention peut être constituée par une solution aqueuse comprenant :

  • de 0,2 à 0,5% en poids de bétaïne,
  • de 0,3 à 1% en poids d'éther alkylique d'oligosaccharide, et éventuellement
  • de 0,2 à 1% en poids d'un agent de déstabilisation.
By way of example, the liquid phase of a foam, for example rinsing, that can be used according to the process of the invention may consist of an aqueous solution comprising:
  • from 0.2 to 0.5% by weight of betaine,
  • from 0.3 to 1% by weight of alkyl oligosaccharide ether, and optionally
  • from 0.2 to 1% by weight of a destabilizing agent.

Dans un autre exemple, la phase liquide d'une mousse, par exemple de décontamination, utilisable selon l'invention peut être constituée par une solution aqueuse comprenant :

  • 3 à 6 mol.l-1 d'acide sulfurique,
  • 0,1 à 1% en poids d'un composé viscosant,
  • 0,2 à 0,5% en poids de bétaïne,
  • 0,3 à 1% en poids d'un éther alkylique d'oligosaccharide, et éventuellement
  • 0,2 à 1% en poids d'un agent de déstabilisation.
In another example, the liquid phase of a foam, for example of decontamination, usable according to the invention may consist of an aqueous solution comprising:
  • 3 to 6 mol.l -1 of sulfuric acid,
  • 0.1 to 1% by weight of a viscosity compound,
  • 0.2 to 0.5% by weight of betaine,
  • 0.3 to 1% by weight of an alkyl oligosaccharide ether, and optionally
  • 0.2 to 1% by weight of a destabilizing agent.

Dans un autre exemple, la phase liquide d'une mousse, par exemple de dégraissage, utilisable selon l'invention peut être constituée par une solution aqueuse comprenant :

  • 3 à 5 mol.l-1 de NaOH,
  • 0,1 à 1% en poids d'un composé viscosant,
  • 0,2 à 0,5% en poids de bétaïne,
  • 0,3 à 1% en poids d'un éther alkylique d'oligosaccharide, et éventuellement
  • 0,2 à 1% en poids d'un agent de déstabilisation.
In another example, the liquid phase of a foam, for example degreasing, usable according to the invention may consist of an aqueous solution comprising:
  • 3 to 5 mol.l -1 of NaOH,
  • 0.1 to 1% by weight of a viscosity compound,
  • 0.2 to 0.5% by weight of betaine,
  • 0.3 to 1% by weight of an alkyl oligosaccharide ether, and optionally
  • 0.2 to 1% by weight of a destabilizing agent.

Une autre variable intervenant dans la qualité de la mousse générée selon le procédé de l'invention est le débit de la phase liquide arrivant au contact du garnissage poreux. Ce débit peut être fixé à l'aide d'une pompe doseuse. En fonction de la qualité de la mousse désirée, le débit de la phase liquide est réglé en fonction du débit de la phase gazeuse et de l'aspiration des phases liquide et gazeuse à travers le garnissage poreux. Le débit de la phase liquide doit aussi être réglé en fonction du garnissage poreux en particulier de la taille des pores de ce garnissage.Another variable involved in the quality of the foam generated according to the process of the invention is the flow of the liquid phase coming into contact with the porous packing. This flow can be fixed using a dosing pump. Depending on the quality of the desired foam, the flow rate of the liquid phase is adjusted depending on the flow rate of the gas phase and the aspiration of the liquid and gaseous phases through the porous packing. The flow of the liquid phase must also be adjusted according to the porous packing in particular of the pore size of this lining.

La qualité de la mousse peut aussi dépendre de la manière avec laquelle le liquide arrive au contact du garnissage poreux ; en effet, en favorisant dès l'arrivée au contact du garnissage poreux la création d'une mousse grossière, on accroít la qualité de la mousse générée. Il y a donc une influence du mode d'aspersion du liquide à la surface du garnissage pouvant conduire de plus à une répartition plus ou moins homogène de celui-ci. L'arrivée de la phase liquide au contact du garnissage peut être réalisée par exemple au moyen d'une buse d'aspersion, ou encore en intercalant une grille entre l'arrivée de la phase liquide dans l'enceinte et le garnissage poreux, c'est-à-dire au-dessus du garnissage poreux.The quality of the foam can also depend on the the way in which the liquid comes into contact with the porous lining; indeed, by promoting the arrival in contact with the porous lining the creation coarse foam, we increase the quality of the generated foam. So there is an influence of the mode spraying the liquid on the surface of the lining may lead to more distribution or less homogeneous of it. The arrival of the phase liquid in contact with the lining can be achieved by example by means of a spray nozzle, or in interposing a grid between the arrival of the phase liquid in the enclosure and the porous lining, that is to say above the porous lining.

Une autre variable intervenant dans la qualité de la mousse générée est la dépression en aval du garnissage poreux, cette dépression entraínant l'aspiration des phases liquide et gazeuse à travers le garnissage poreux. De plus, la valeur du débit de mousse générée est fonction de cette dépression en aval du garnissage poreux. Dans la pratique, la dépression choisie devra prendre en compte la perte de pression dans le garnissage poreux. Pour cette raison, on peut contrôler le débit de mousse à la sortie du garnissage poreux à l'aide d'un débitmètre, et on peut ajuster la valeur de ce débit au moyen d'un système de régulation de la dépression.Another variable involved in the quality of the foam generated is the depression downstream of the porous filling, this depression causing the aspiration of the liquid and gaseous phases through the porous packing. In addition, the value of the flow of generated foam is a function of this downstream depression porous packing. In practice, depression chosen should take into account the loss of pressure in the porous lining. For this reason, one can control the flow of foam at the outlet of the lining porous using a flow meter, and you can adjust the value of this flow rate by means of a control system of depression.

Une autre variable influençant la qualité de la mousse générée par le procédé de l'invention est la nature du garnissage utilisé pour cette génération. Ce garnissage peut être tout milieu offrant un passage permettant un écoulement de la phase liquide et de la phase gazeuse à travers le garnissage poreux afin d'assurer leur mélange. Les ouvertures des pores du garnissage poreux peuvent de préférence être uniformément réparties dans le volume du garnissage, ces ouvertures seront de préférence de dimension faible, par exemple de 100 µm à quelques mm, afin de favoriser le mélange de la phase gazeuse et de la phase liquide et d'éviter l'apparition de poches d'air dans la mousse. Toutefois, des pores trop fins peuvent engendrer des pertes de pression importantes.Another variable influencing the quality of the foam generated by the process of the invention is the nature of the packing used for this generation. This lining can be any medium offering a passage allowing a flow of the liquid phase and the gas phase through the porous lining so to ensure their mixing. The pore openings of the porous lining can preferably be evenly distributed in the volume of the lining, these openings will preferably be of dimension low, for example from 100 μm to a few mm, in order to promote the mixing of the gas phase and the phase liquid and avoid the appearance of air pockets in the foam. However, too fine pores can cause significant pressure losses.

A titre d'exemple, le garnissage poreux peut être au choix un empilement de grilles métalliques, un tissu synthétique tricoté du type FORAFLON (marque déposée), du sable, des diatomites ou perlites, des billes solides calibrées, ou tout autre matériau présentant des interstices adéquats pour engendrer une mousse.For example, the porous lining can be choice of a stack of metal grids, a fabric synthetic knit of the FORAFLON type (registered trademark), sand, diatomites or pearlites, balls calibrated solids, or any other material presenting adequate interstices to generate a foam.

De préférence, selon le procédé de l'invention, on utilise des billes calibrées par exemple des billes de verre calibrées. En effet, la valeur de la perte de pression dans le milieu poreux peut ainsi être contrôlée de manière précise et reproductible par l'épaisseur du lit de billes et le diamètre des billes. Dans le cas d'un lit de billes de verre calibrées, on peut dans un premier temps se baser sur deux relations classiques valables pour des fluides incompressibles, homogènes et newtoniens.Preferably, according to the process of the invention, uses calibrated balls for example balls of calibrated glass. Indeed, the value of the loss of pressure in the porous medium can thus be precisely and reproducibly controlled by the thickness of the bed of balls and the diameter of the balls. In the case of a bed of calibrated glass beads, can initially be based on two relationships classics valid for incompressible fluids, homogeneous and Newtonian.

D'une part la relation de DARCY qui relie un débit U d'une phase liquide, ou vitesse d'une phase liquide, en m/s, une viscosité µ de la phase liquide en Pa.s, l'épaisseur z du garnissage poreux traversé par la phase liquide et la phase gazeuse en mètre, et la différence de pressions ΔP en pascal entre la pression P1 en amont du garnissage poreux, et la pression P2 en aval du garnissage poreux s'écrit U=B.ΔP/µ.z avec ΔP=P1-P2 et P1>P2.On the one hand the relationship of DARCY which connects a flow U of a liquid phase, or speed of a liquid phase, in m / s, a viscosity μ of the liquid phase in Pa.s, the thickness z of the porous lining traversed by the liquid phase and the gaseous phase in meters, and the pressure difference ΔP in pascal between the pressure P1 upstream of the porous packing, and the pressure P2 in downstream of the porous packing is written U = B.ΔP / μ.z with ΔP = P1-P2 and P1> P2.

Le facteur B exprimé en m2 est appelé perméabilité. Ce facteur est caractéristique du milieu poreux et dépend de sa géométrie.The factor B expressed in m 2 is called permeability. This factor is characteristic of the porous medium and depends on its geometry.

D'autre part, le modèle de KOZENY-CARMAN permet de calculer la perméabilité B d'un milieu poreux constitué de sphères calibrées. L'expression mathématique de ce modèle ne sera pas détaillée ici. On retiendra que dans le cas d'un fluide newtonien incompressible, la perméabilité est inversement proportionnelle au carré du diamètre des sphères constituant le lit. On the other hand, the KOZENY-CARMAN model allows calculate the permeability B of a porous medium consisting of calibrated spheres. The mathematical expression of this model will not be detailed here. We will remember that in the case of an incompressible Newtonian fluid, the permeability is inversely proportional to the square the diameter of the spheres making up the bed.

Par exemple, pour un débit de phase liquide allant jusqu'à 100 l/h, de préférence de 5 à 50 l/h, traversant un garnissage poreux d'une épaisseur de 0,08 m constitué de billes de verre d'un diamètre de 1,6 mm, la dépression en aval du garnissage poreux peut être de 5x103 à 80x103 Pa, de préférence de 30x103 à 60x103 Pa.For example, for a liquid phase flow rate of up to 100 l / h, preferably from 5 to 50 l / h, passing through a porous lining of a thickness of 0.08 m consisting of glass beads of a diameter of 1.6 mm, the depression downstream of the porous lining can be from 5 × 10 3 to 80 × 10 3 Pa, preferably from 30 × 10 3 to 60 × 10 3 Pa.

Une autre variable intervenant dans la qualité de la mousse générée est la forme de l'enceinte dans laquelle est disposé le garnissage poreux. On peut envisager par exemple d'augmenter la surface de la section libre de cette enceinte à épaisseur de garnissage constante, à débit de phase liquide constant et à dépression constante, afin d'enrichir le mélange en gaz. L'enceinte peut être recouverte au moyen d'un couvercle possédant au moins une ouverture permettant l'entrée du gaz choisi pour l'élaboration de la mousse, ou bien être à ciel ouvert dans le cas où le gaz servant à générer la mousse est l'air ambiant. Le débit de la mousse à la sortie du garnissage poreux sera donc fonction aussi de la géométrie de l'enceinte.Another variable involved in the quality of the generated foam is the shape of the enclosure in which is arranged the porous lining. We can consider for example to increase the surface of the free section of this chamber thickness of constant packing, with constant liquid phase flow and constant depression, to enrich the mixture in gas. The enclosure can be covered by means of a cover having at least one opening allowing the gas inlet chosen for the development of the foam, or be open air in case the gas used to generate the foam is the ambient air. The flow foam at the outlet of the porous lining will be also function of the geometry of the enclosure.

Le procédé de l'invention permet de générer des mousses ayant un foisonnement de 5 à 40.The method of the invention makes it possible to generate mosses having an abundance of 5 to 40.

Selon l'invention, la phase gazeuse pour mettre en oeuvre le procédé de l'invention peut être de l'air, de l'azote, de l'oxygène, un gaz neutre tel que l'argon ou l'hélium qui peuvent être employés seuls ou en combinaison.According to the invention, the gaseous phase for the process of the invention can be air, nitrogen, oxygen, a neutral gas such as argon or helium that can be used alone or in combination.

L'invention se rapporte également à un procédé de mise en circulation d'une mousse dans une installation comprenant une étape consistant à générer une mousse par aspiration d'une phase liquide et d'une phase gazeuse appropriées à travers un garnissage poreux au niveau d'une première extrémité de l'installation de telle manière que la mousse générée soit introduite dans ladite installation et circule à travers celle-ci jusqu'à une deuxième extrémité de l'installation, l'aspiration étant réalisée en créant une dépression dans ladite installation à partir de ladite deuxième extrémité.The invention also relates to a method of putting a foam into circulation in an installation comprising a step of generating a foam by aspiration of a liquid phase and a phase gaseous gases through a porous level of a first end of the installation of such that the generated foam is introduced in said facility and flows through it to a second end of the installation, aspiration being achieved by creating a depression in said installation from said second end.

Selon ce procédé, la dépression créée dans l'installation à partir de ladite deuxième extrémité est à l'origine de l'aspiration des phases liquide et gazeuse à travers le garnissage poreux, puis de la mise en circulation de la mousse dans l'installation.According to this process, the depression created in installing from said second end is at the origin of the aspiration of the liquid phases and gas through the porous lining and then putting in circulation of the foam in the installation.

Selon l'invention ce procédé de mise en circulation d'une mousse dans une installation peut être appliqué à un procédé de nettoyage d'une installation par une mousse nettoyante. La phase liquide comprend alors un ou plusieurs agents nettoyants.According to the invention this method of setting circulation of a foam in an installation can be applied to a cleaning process a installation by a cleaning foam. The sentence liquid then comprises one or more agents cleaners.

Lorsque le nettoyage comprend également un dégraissage, la phase liquide peut en outre comprendre un agent dégraissant.When cleaning also includes a degreasing, the liquid phase can furthermore comprise a degreasing agent.

Selon l'invention, la mousse nettoyante peut être en outre une mousse décontaminante, celle-ci comprend alors un ou plusieurs agents décontaminants.According to the invention, the cleaning foam can be in addition a decontaminating foam, this one comprises then one or more decontaminants.

Ces agents décontaminants peuvent être par exemple des agents de décontamination radioactive ou bactérienne suivant l'installation à nettoyer.These decontaminating agents may be for example radioactive decontamination agents or bacterial following the installation to be cleaned.

Les agents nettoyants et décontaminants sont ceux décrits précédemment.Cleaning and decontaminating agents are those previously described.

Selon un premier mode de réalisation du procédé de l'invention, la mousse peut être réceptionnée dans une cuve de réception, à partir de la deuxième extrémité de l'enceinte, et déstabilisée naturellement, chimiquement et/ou mécaniquement. La déstabilisation naturelle se réalise par l'utilisation d'une mousse ayant une durée de vie limitée, la déstabilisation chimique est réalisée en ajoutant à la mousse, dans cette cuve de réception un agent de déstabilisation cité précédemment, et la déstabilisation mécanique peut être réalisée par exemple au moyen d'un générateur d'ultrasons, d'une centrifugeuse ou d'une turbine à ailettes.According to a first embodiment of the method of the invention, the foam can be received in a receiving tank, from the second end of the enclosure, and destabilized naturally, chemically and / or mechanically. Natural destabilization achieves by the use of a foam having a duration of limited life, chemical destabilization is made by adding to the foam, in this tank of receiving a destabilizing agent cited previously, and mechanical destabilization can be realized for example by means of a generator ultrasound, a centrifuge or a turbine fins.

Selon un deuxième mode de réalisation du procédé de mise en circulation d'une mousse dans une installation, le procédé peut comprendre en outre les étapes consistant à collecter la mousse à partir de la deuxième extrémité de l'installation, à déstabiliser la mousse collectée de manière à obtenir un liquide, et à utiliser au moins une partie dudit liquide comme phase liquide pour générer la mousse mise en circulation dans ladite installation. Ce mode de réalisation peut aussi être appelé mode en recyclage.According to a second embodiment of the method of putting into circulation of a foam in a installation, the method may further comprise the steps of collecting the foam from the second end of the installation, to destabilize the foam collected in order to obtain a liquid, and use at least a portion of said liquid as a phase liquid to generate the foam put into circulation in said installation. This embodiment can also be called recycling mode.

Selon une variante préférée du deuxième mode de réalisation précité, le liquide peut être épuré avant d'être utilisé comme phase liquide pour générer la mousse. Cette épuration a pour but, par exemple, dans le cas de procédés de nettoyage et/ou de décontamination d'une installation d'éliminer des déchets entraínés par la circulation de la mousse dans l'installation. Cette épuration peut être réalisée, par exemple, au moyen de filtres adéquats.According to a preferred variant of the second mode of aforementioned embodiment, the liquid can be purified before to be used as a liquid phase to generate the foam. This purification aims, for example, in the case of cleaning processes and / or decontamination of an installation to eliminate wastes driven by the circulation of foam in installation. This purification can be carried out by for example, by means of adequate filters.

L'invention se rapporte également à un dispositif de génération d'une mousse pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé de l'invention. Ce dispositif comprend :

  • une enceinte comprenant au moins une ouverture d'entrée et au moins une ouverture de sortie,
  • un garnissage poreux disposé entre les ouvertures d'entrée et de sortie de l'enceinte,
  • des moyens d'introduction dans ladite enceinte d'une phase liquide et d'une phase gazeuse par ladite, au moins une, ouverture d'entrée,
  • des moyens d'aspiration de ladite phase liquide et de ladite phase gazeuse à travers le garnissage poreux, la mousse générée étant évacuée de ladite enceinte par lesdits moyens d'aspiration par ladite, au moins une, ouverture de sortie.
The invention also relates to a device for generating a foam for carrying out the method of the invention. This device comprises:
  • an enclosure comprising at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening,
  • a porous lining disposed between the inlet and outlet openings of the enclosure,
  • means for introducing into said chamber a liquid phase and a gaseous phase by said at least one inlet opening,
  • suction means of said liquid phase and said gas phase through the porous lining, the generated foam being discharged from said enclosure by said suction means by said at least one outlet opening.

L'enceinte peut avoir n'importe quelle forme, par exemple circulaire, et est constituée d'un matériau qui peut être choisi en fonction du garnissage poreux, de la phase liquide, et de la phase gazeuse utilisés, et en fonction de la dépression appliquée pour générer la mousse. Cette enceinte est de préférence étanche.The enclosure can have any shape, for circular example, and consists of a material that can be chosen according to the porous filling, the liquid phase, and the gas phase used, and depending on the depression applied to generate the foam. This enclosure is preferably waterproof.

Lorsque le gaz utilisé est l'air ambiant, l'enceinte peut être à "ciel ouvert".When the gas used is the ambient air, the enclosure can be "open sky".

Le garnissage poreux pouvant être utilisé est décrit précédemment.The porous lining that can be used is previously described.

Les moyens d'introduction dans ladite enceinte par au moins une ouverture d'entrée d'une phase liquide peuvent par exemple comprendre une pompe doseuse permettant d'introduire dans l'enceinte la phase liquide, cette pompe pouvant être munie d'un moyen de mesure de débit de cette phase liquide par exemple un débitmètre. Cette pompe peut être reliée à une cuve de préparation et de stockage de la phase liquide.The means of introduction into said enclosure by at least one inlet opening of a liquid phase can for example include a metering pump to introduce into the enclosure the phase liquid, this pump can be provided with a means of flow measurement of this liquid phase for example a flowmeter. This pump can be connected to a tank of preparation and storage of the liquid phase.

Afin de répartir de manière homogène la phase liquide sur le garnissage poreux une buse d'aspersion ou une grille peuvent être utilisées, de préférence une buse d'aspersion. Cette buse ou cette grille, en assurant une bonne répartition du liquide, permettent de favoriser dès l'entrée de la phase liquide sur le garnissage poreux la création d'une mousse grossière au-dessus de ce garnissage accroissant ainsi la qualité de la mousse générée.In order to distribute the phase in a homogeneous way liquid on the porous lining a spray nozzle or a grid may be used, preferably a spray nozzle. This nozzle or grid, in ensuring a good distribution of the liquid, allow to promote from the entry of the liquid phase on the porous filling creating a coarse foam on top of this lining thus increasing the quality generated foam.

Les moyens permettant d'introduire dans ladite enceinte la phase gazeuse peuvent comprendre des moyens de régulation de la pression d'introduction du gaz dans ladite enceinte et éventuellement un réservoir dudit gaz.The means to introduce into the said pregnant the gas phase can include means regulating the gas introduction pressure in said enclosure and optionally a reservoir of said gas.

Lorsque la phase gazeuse est constituée d'air ambiant, l'aspiration des phases liquide et gazeuse à travers le garnissage poreux entraíne l'aspiration de l'air ambiant, il peut alors être prévu sur l'enceinte, en amont du garnissage poreux, au moins une ouverture d'entrée de l'air atmosphérique ambiant équipé éventuellement d'un débitmètre.When the gaseous phase consists of air ambient, the aspiration of the liquid and gaseous phases to through the porous packing causes the suction of the ambient air, it can then be provided on the enclosure, upstream of the porous lining, at least one opening Ambient atmospheric air inlet equipped possibly a flowmeter.

Les moyens d'aspiration de ladite phase liquide et de ladite phase gazeuse à travers le garnissage poreux, ou moyens pour créer la dépression, peuvent être par exemple une pompe à vide éventuellement équipée d'un piège à condensats, cette pompe pouvant réaliser l'évacuation à partir de ladite enceinte de la mousse générée.The suction means of said liquid phase and of said gas phase through the porous lining, or means to create depression, may be by example a vacuum pump possibly equipped with a condensate trap, this pump can realize evacuating from said enclosure the foam generated.

Le dispositif peut être muni d'une vanne ou d'une électrovanne permettant de fixer et de réguler la dépression en aval du garnissage dans l'enceinte. Le dispositif selon l'invention peut être également muni de moyens de mesure de la dépression dans ladite enceinte.The device may be provided with a valve or a solenoid valve for fixing and regulating the depression downstream of the lining in the enclosure. The device according to the invention can also be provided means for measuring the depression in said pregnant.

L'invention se rapporte également à un dispositif de mise en circulation d'une mousse dans une installation, l'installation comprenant une première extrémité et une deuxième extrémité, la première et la deuxième extrémités délimitant au moins une partie de l'installation dans laquelle la mousse doit être mise en circulation, ce dispositif comprenant :

  • un dispositif de génération d'une mousse tel que celui décrit précédemment, et
  • des moyens de liaison étanches entre ladite, au moins une, ouverture de sortie de l'enceinte et la première extrémité de l'installation,
les moyens d'aspiration de ladite phase liquide et de ladite phase gazeuse à travers le garnissage poreux étant situés au niveau de la deuxième extrémité de l'installation de façon à créer une dépression dans ladite partie de l'installation dans laquelle la mousse doit être mise en circulation.The invention also relates to a device for circulating a foam in an installation, the installation comprising a first end and a second end, the first and second ends delimiting at least a part of the installation in which the foam must be circulated, this device comprising:
  • a device for generating a foam such as that described above, and
  • sealing connection means between said at least one outlet opening of the enclosure and the first end of the installation,
the suction means of said liquid phase and of said gas phase through the porous lining being located at the second end of the installation so as to create a depression in said part of the installation in which the foam must be release.

Le dispositif de mise en circulation d'une mousse dans une installation est particulièrement avantageux pour nettoyer et/ou pour décontaminer ladite installation.The device for circulating a foam in a facility is particularly advantageous to clean and / or to decontaminate said installation.

L'enceinte, le garnissage, les moyens d'introduction dans ladite enceinte de la phase liquide et les moyens d'introduction dans ladite enceinte de la phase gazeuse peuvent être ceux décrits précédemment. Les moyens de liaison étanches peuvent par exemple être des joints d'étanchéité qui seront conçus de manière à pouvoir résister à la composition chimique de la mousse générée, et à la dépression nécessaire pour générer la mousse par aspiration des phases liquides et gazeuses à travers le garnissage poreux.The enclosure, the lining, the means introducing into said chamber the liquid phase and the means for introducing into said enclosure the gas phase may be those described above. The sealed connection means may for example be gaskets that will be designed to ability to resist the chemical composition of the foam generated, and the depression needed to generate the suction foam from the liquid and gaseous phases to through the porous lining.

Les moyens d'aspiration des phases liquide et gazeuse à travers le garnissage poreux et de création de la dépression dans ladite partie de l'installation dans laquelle la mousse doit circuler peuvent être ceux décrits précédemment et peuvent comprendre en outre un piège à condensats. Ce dispositif peut également comprendre des moyens de réglage et de mesure décrits précédemment.The suction means of the liquid phase and gaseous through the porous and creative lining of the depression in the said part of the installation in which the foam must flow may be those previously described and may further include a condensate trap. This device can also include means of adjustment and measurement described previously.

Le dispositif de génération d'une mousse et de mise en circulation d'une mousse dans une installation selon l'invention peut également comprendre un débitmètre mousse placé en aval du garnissage poreux de manière à pouvoir mesurer la quantité de mousse générée et réguler la dépression dans l'installation et les débits d'entrée des phases gazeuse et liquide dans l'enceinte.The device for generating a foam and putting a foam into circulation in an installation according to the invention may also include a foam flowmeter placed downstream of the porous lining of to be able to measure the amount of foam generated and regulate the depression in the installation and flow rates of the gaseous and liquid phases in the enclosure.

Ce dispositif peut comprendre en outre une cuve de réception de la mousse placée au niveau de la deuxième extrémité de l'installation. Il peut également comprendre un capteur de pression, des vannes de vidange ou de récupération d'une phase liquide issue d'une déstabilisation de ladite mousse.This device may further comprise a tank of receiving the foam placed at the level of the second end of the installation. It can also include a pressure sensor, draining or recovering a liquid phase destabilization of said foam.

Selon l'invention, le dispositif peut comprendre en outre des moyens de récupération d'un liquide issu d'une déstabilisation de la mousse dans la cuve de réception de la mousse, et des moyens pour pomper ledit liquide jusqu'aux moyens d'introduction de la phase liquide dans l'enceinte du dispositif de génération de la mousse.According to the invention, the device can comprise in addition means for recovering a liquid from of a destabilization of the foam in the tank of receiving the foam, and means for pumping said liquid to the introduction means of the phase liquid in the enclosure of the generating device the foam.

Ce dispositif peut alors comprendre des vannes d'isolement, un système de pompage de ce liquide de la cuve de réception de la mousse jusque dans la cuve de préparation et de stockage de la phase liquide utilisée pour générer la mousse. Ledit liquide peut alors être réintroduit, par les moyens d'introduction de la phase liquide, dans l'enceinte contenant le garnissage poreux, par exemple par une pompe doseuse, à partir de la cuve de préparation et de stockage de la phase liquide.This device can then include valves isolation, a pumping system of this liquid from the tank for receiving the foam into the tank of preparation and storage of the liquid phase used to generate the foam. Said liquid can then be reintroduced, by the means of introduction of the phase liquid, in the enclosure containing the lining porous, for example by a dosing pump, from the preparation and storage tank of the phase liquid.

Selon l'invention le dispositif peut alors fonctionner en mode simple passage ou en mode récupération.According to the invention the device can then operate in single pass mode or in recovery.

Lorsque le dispositif de l'invention fonctionne en mode simple passage, la mousse est réceptionnée et stockée dans une cuve de réception pouvant comprendre des moyens pour déstabiliser la mousse afin d'accélérer le retour à la forme liquide. La déstabilisation peut être naturelle, ou être accélérée par exemple à l'aide d'un dispositif mécanique tel que ceux décrits précédemment et/ou par voie chimique en ajoutant par exemple un agent déstabilisant tel que l'alcool. La cuve peut alors être vidée au moyen d'une vanne, en continu ou périodiquement.When the device of the invention operates in single-pass mode, the foam is received and stored in a receiving tank that can include means to destabilize the foam to accelerate the return to the liquid form. Destabilization can be natural, or be accelerated for example using a mechanical device such as those described previously and / or chemically adding by example a destabilizing agent such as alcohol. The The vessel can then be emptied by means of a valve, continuous or periodically.

En mode récupération, appelé encore mode recyclage, le liquide issu de la déstabilisation naturelle ou accélérée de la mousse, après un premier passage dans une installation par exemple à décontaminer et/ou à nettoyer, est récupéré périodiquement ou en continu de la cuve de réception au moyen d'une pompe de récupération, ou pompe de recyclage, et réinjecté dans la cuve de préparation et de stockage de la phase liquide reliée à la pompe doseuse de la phase liquide.In recovery mode, called still mode recycling, the liquid resulting from the destabilization natural or accelerated foam, after a first passage in an installation for example to decontaminate and / or clean, is recovered periodically or continuously from the receiving tank to the means of a recovery pump, or pump of recycling, and reinjected into the preparation tank and storage of the liquid phase connected to the pump metering of the liquid phase.

Selon l'invention, le mode de fonctionnement en recyclage est particulièrement préféré pour une application industrielle du système de décontamination proposé.According to the invention, the mode of operation in recycling is particularly preferred for a industrial application of the decontamination system offers.

Selon l'invention, lorsque le mode recyclage est utilisé, un moyen d'épuration du liquide récupéré peut être disposé en aval de la cuve de réception de la mousse et en amont des moyens d'introduction de la phase liquide dans l'enceinte du dispositif de génération de la mousse, par exemple de la cuve de préparation et de stockage de la phase liquide.According to the invention, when the recycling mode is used, a means of purifying the recovered liquid may be placed downstream of the receiving tank of the foam and upstream of the means of introduction of the liquid phase in the enclosure of the device generation of the foam, for example from the tank of preparation and storage of the liquid phase.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention apparaítront mieux à la lecture de la description qui suit donnée bien entendue à titre illustratif et non limitatif, en référence aux dessins annexés.Other advantages and features of the invention will appear better on reading the following description given well understood as illustrative and not limiting, with reference to the drawings attached.

Brève description des figuresBrief description of the figures

  • La figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de génération d'une mousse selon l'invention.Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a generation device a foam according to the invention.
  • La figure 2 est un schéma illustrant un mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de nettoyage d'une installation, par mise en circulation d'une mousse, utilisant le dispositif de génération d'une mousse schématisé sur la figure 1.FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a mode of carrying out a cleaning device of a installation, by putting into circulation a foam, using the device for generating a foam schematized in Figure 1.
  • La figure 3 est un graphique illustrant l'influence de l'épaisseur du lit de billes d'un garnissage poreux sur la vitesse de circulation d'une mousse, à dépression constante, à la sortie d'un générateur de mousse selon l'invention.Figure 3 is a graph illustrating the influence of the thickness of the bed of balls of a porous packing on the speed of circulation of a foam, with constant depression, at the exit of a foam generator according to the invention.
  • La figure 4 est un graphique illustrant l'influence du diamètre des billes du garnissage poreux sur la vitesse de circulation, à dépression constante, d'une mousse générée selon le procédé de l'invention à la sortie d'un générateur de mousse selon l'invention.Figure 4 is a graph illustrating the influence of the diameter of the balls of the porous packing on the speed of circulation, with constant depression, of a foam generated according to the process of the invention the output of a foam generator according to the invention.
  • La figure 5 est un graphique illustrant l'influence du débit de la phase liquide sur le foisonnement, à dépression constante, d'une mousse mesurée pour deux diamètres de billes du garnissage poreux.Figure 5 is a graph illustrating the influence of the flow of the liquid phase on the expansion, constant depression, foam measured for two diameters of packing balls porous.
  • La figure 6 est un graphique illustrant l'influence de la dépression en aval du garnissage poreux sur la vitesse de circulation d'une mousse générée selon le procédé de l'invention.Figure 6 is a graph illustrating the influence of the depression downstream of the lining porous on the speed of circulation of a foam generated according to the method of the invention.
Exposé de modes de réalisation de l'inventionPresentation of embodiments of the invention

La figure 1 illustre schématiquement un mode de réalisation d'un dispositif 1 de génération d'une mousse selon l'invention comprenant une enceinte 3, un garnissage poreux 5 disposé dans ladite enceinte 3, des moyens 9 et 11 permettant d'introduire dans ladite enceinte une phase liquide et une phase gazeuse, respectivement, appropriées pour générer une mousse, et des moyens d'aspiration de ladite phase liquide et de ladite phase gazeuse à travers le garnissage poreux 5, la mousse générée étant évacuée de ladite enceinte 3 par ces moyens d'aspiration.Figure 1 schematically illustrates a mode of embodiment of a device 1 for generating a foam according to the invention comprising an enclosure 3, a porous packing 5 disposed in said enclosure 3, means 9 and 11 for introducing into said pregnant a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, respectively, suitable for generating a foam, and suction means of said liquid phase and of said gas phase through the porous lining 5, the generated foam being removed from said enclosure 3 by these suction means.

Le garnissage poreux 5 est constitué de billes de verre calibrées, laissant des interstices 7 à travers lesquels la phase liquide percole.The porous lining 5 consists of balls of calibrated glass, leaving gaps 7 across which the liquid phase percolates.

Les moyens 9 et 11 permettent d'introduire dans l'enceinte une phase liquide et une phase gazeuse, respectivement et en particulier le moyen 9 d'introduction de la phase liquide dans l'enceinte comprend un moyen d'aspersion 13 de la phase liquide dans l'enceinte, sur le garnissage poreux.Means 9 and 11 allow to introduce in the enclosure a liquid phase and a gaseous phase, respectively and in particular the means 9 of introducing the liquid phase into the enclosure comprises means for spraying 13 of the liquid phase in the enclosure, on the porous lining.

La figure 2 illustre schématiquement un dispositif de nettoyage d'une installation 20 par une mousse, installation 20 comprend une première extrémité 20a et une deuxième extrémité 20b, la première extrémité 20a et la deuxième extrémité 20b délimitant la partie de installation 20 à nettoyer par la mousse. Le dispositif de nettoyage comprenant un dispositif 1 de génération d'une mousse tel que décrit précédemment, des moyens de liaison étanche entre le dispositif 1 de génération d'une mousse et l'installation à nettoyer, et des moyens 30, 32 et 34 pour créer une dépression dans ladite installation. Les moyens 30, 32 et 34 sont respectivement un capteur de pression, une vanne d'isolement et de régulation de la pression et une pompe à vide chargée de créer la dépression dans l'installation 20 et le dispositif 1.Figure 2 schematically illustrates a device cleaning a plant 20 with a foam, facility 20 includes a first end 20a and a second end 20b, the first end 20a and the second end 20b delimiting the part of installation 20 to be cleaned by the foam. The device cleaning device comprising a generation device 1 of a foam as described above, means of sealed connection between the generation device 1 foam and the installation to be cleaned, and means 30, 32 and 34 to create a depression in said installation. The means 30, 32 and 34 are respectively a pressure sensor, a valve isolation and pressure regulation and a vacuum pump charged to create depression in the installation 20 and the device 1.

Ce dispositif de nettoyage comprend également un réservoir 44 de préparation et de stockage de la phase liquide. Une pompe doseuse 48 permet de prélever à l'aide d'une conduite plongeante 46 la phase liquide dans ce réservoir 44 et de conduire cette phase liquide vers le dispositif 1 générateur de mousse. Un débitmètre 50 est placé en amont du dispositif générateur de mousse afin de contrôler le débit de la phase liquide introduite dans ce dispositif 1.This cleaning device also includes a reservoir 44 for preparation and storage of the phase liquid. A metering pump 48 makes it possible to take using a dip pipe 46 the liquid phase in this tank 44 and drive this liquid phase to the device 1 foam generator. A flowmeter 50 is placed upstream of the device foam generator to control the flow of the liquid phase introduced into this device 1.

Ce dispositif de nettoyage est également muni d'une vanne d'isolement 24 disposée entre le dispositif 1 et l'installation 20, d'un débitmètre mousse 22 disposé entre la vanne 24 et l'installation 20, et d'une cuve de réception 26 de la mousse au niveau de la deuxième extrémité 20b de l'installation 20.This cleaning device is also provided an isolation valve 24 disposed between the device 1 and the installation 20, of a foam flowmeter 22 arranged between the valve 24 and the installation 20, and of a receiving tank 26 of the foam at the level of second end 20b of the installation 20.

Il est également muni d'une vanne 25.It is also equipped with a valve 25.

La cuve de réception 26 de la mousse comprend une vanne 36 de mise à la pression atmosphérique de l'installation.The receiving vessel 26 of the foam comprises a valve 36 for setting the atmospheric pressure of installation.

La mousse, après avoir été générée dans le dispositif 1 par aspiration des phases liquide et gazeuse appropriées à travers le garnissage poreux grâce à la pompe à vide 34, traverse l'installation 20 à partir de la première extrémité 20a, puis à partir de la deuxième extrémité 20b est conduite à l'aide d'une tuyauterie 28 plongeante au fond de la cuve de réception 26.The foam, after being generated in the device 1 by suction of the liquid phases and appropriate gas through the porous lining thanks to the vacuum pump 34, passes through the installation 20 from the first end 20a and then from the second end 20b is conducted using a piping 28 plunging to the bottom of the tank of reception 26.

Selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, la mousse peut être stockée dans cette cuve de réception 26 et être déstabilisée par un agent chimique de déstabilisation et/ou par un dispositif mécanique tels que ceux cités précédemment pour accélérer son retour à la forme liquide. La cuve peut alors être vidangée par une vanne 38.According to a first embodiment of the invention, the foam can be stored in this receiving tank 26 and being destabilized by an agent chemical destabilization and / or device such as those mentioned above for accelerate its return to the liquid form. The tank can then be drained by a valve 38.

Selon un deuxième mode de réalisation, la mousse est déstabilisée par voie chimique et/ou mécanique dans la cuve de réception 26, pour former un liquide qui par des moyens dits de recyclage ou de récupération est reconduit vers le moyen 9 d'aspersion, ce liquide formant à nouveau la phase liquide d'une mousse.According to a second embodiment, the foam is destabilized chemically and / or mechanically in the receiving tank 26, to form a liquid which by so-called recycling or recovery means is carried back to the means 9 of spraying, this liquid again forming the liquid phase of a foam.

Ces moyens de recyclage comprennent par exemple une vanne 38, une pompe 42 de recyclage, et des canalisations 40, conduisant ce liquide dans le réservoir 44 de préparation et de stockage de la phase liquide pour être reconduit au moyen d'une conduite plongeante 46, d'une pompe doseuse 48, et d'un débitmètre 50 dans le dispositif 1.These recycling means include, for example a valve 38, a pump 42 recycling, and 40, leading this liquid into the reservoir 44 for preparation and storage of the phase liquid to be carried back by means of a pipe plunger 46, a metering pump 48, and a flowmeter 50 in the device 1.

Ce deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention, ou mode recyclage, est particulièrement préféré pour une application industrielle d'un système de décontamination et/ou de nettoyage selon l'invention.This second embodiment of the invention, or recycling mode, is particularly preferred for a industrial application of a system of decontamination and / or cleaning according to the invention.

Selon une variante de ce deuxième mode de réalisation, le dispositif peut comprendre en outre un dispositif d'épuration 52 de l'effluent liquide sortant de la cuve de réception 26, par lequel le liquide transite, pour être épuré des déchets de nettoyage et/ou de décontamination, avant d'atteindre la cuve 44 de stockage. L'entrée et la sortie de l'effluent liquide dans le dispositif d'épuration 52 peuvent être commandées par exemple à l'aide de vannes 53.According to a variant of this second mode of embodiment, the device may further comprise a purification device 52 of the outgoing liquid effluent of the receiving tank 26, by which the liquid transits, to be cleaned of cleaning waste and / or decontamination, before reaching the tank 44 storage. The entry and the exit of the effluent liquid in the purification device 52 can be controlled for example by means of valves 53.

Exemples de fonctionnement du dispositif de mise en circulation d'une mousse générée par le dispositif 1 selon l'invention dans une installation.Examples of operation of the setting device circulation of a foam generated by the device 1 according to the invention in an installation.

Dans les exemples suivants, la phase liquide utilisée est une solution aqueuse comprenant :

  • 0,8% en poids d'ORAMIX CG 110 (marque déposée),
  • 0,3% en poids d'AMONYL (marque déposée),
  • 0,25% en poids de pentanol-2,
et la phase gazeuse est de l'air.In the following examples, the liquid phase used is an aqueous solution comprising:
  • 0.8% by weight of ORAMIX CG 110 (registered trademark),
  • 0.3% by weight of AMONYL (registered trademark),
  • 0.25% by weight of pentanol-2,
and the gas phase is air.

L'enceinte utilisée dans ces exemples pour la génération d'une mousse a un diamètre interne de 30 mm, et l'installation est une conduite cylindrique de diamètre interne sensiblement identique à celui de l'enceinte.The speaker used in these examples for the generation of a foam has an internal diameter of 30 mm, and the installation is a cylindrical pipe of inner diameter substantially identical to that of the enclosure.

EXEMPLE 1 : Influence de l'épaisseur du garnissage poreux sur la vitesse de circulation de la mousse, à dépression constante. EXAMPLE 1 Influence of the Thickness of the Porous Lining on the Circulation Speed of the Foam Under Constant Depression

Dans cet exemple, le garnissage poreux est un lit de billes de verre, sphériques, de 1,6 mm de diamètre et la conduite cylindrique a une longueur de 4 m. Des essais ont été réalisés avec deux épaisseurs z de lit de billes respectivement de 0,05 m et de 0,08 m, et à dépression constante de 15x103 Pa.In this example, the porous lining is a bed of glass balls, spherical, 1.6 mm in diameter and the cylindrical pipe has a length of 4 m. Tests were carried out with two z-bed thicknesses of 0.05 m and 0.08 m respectively, and at a constant depression of 15 × 10 3 Pa.

Pour chaque essai, on a mesuré la vitesse de la mousse Vm en m.s-1 en fonction du débit de phase liquide Qℓ traversant la garniture poreuse en l/h. For each test, the velocity of the foam V m was measured in ms -1 as a function of the liquid phase flow rate Qℓ passing through the porous liner in l / h.

Le tableau 1 suivant regroupe les résultats obtenus dans cet exemple. ESSAI 60a 60b 60c 62a 62b 62c EPAISSEUR DU GARNISSAGE z(m) 0,05 0,05 0,05 0,08 0,08 0,08 DEBIT DE LIQUIDE Qℓ (l/h) 5 10 15 5 10 15 VITESSE DE LA MOUSSE Vm(m/s) 0,054 0,051 0,053 0,021 0,027 0,030 Table 1 below groups together the results obtained in this example. TRIAL 60 a 60 b 60c 62 a 62 b 62 c THICKNESS OF THE TRIM z (m) 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.08 0.08 0.08 LIQUID FLOW Qℓ (l / h) 5 10 15 5 10 15 SPEED OF THE FOAM V m (m / s) 0,054 0,051 0.053 0,021 0,027 0,030

La figure 3 est un graphique illustrant ces résultats, sur lequel les colonnes 60a, 60b, 60c, 62a, 62b et 62c représentent les essais de même référence, Vm la vitesse de la mousse en m/s et z l'épaisseur du lit de billes en m.Figure 3 is a graph illustrating these results, on which the columns 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, 62 a, 62 b and 62 c show the same reference tests, V m the speed of foam in m / s and z the thickness of the bed of balls in m.

Ces résultats montrent que la vitesse de circulation de la mousse est inversement proportionnelle à l'épaisseur du garnissage poreux.These results show that the speed of circulation of foam is inversely proportional to the thickness of the porous lining.

EXEMPLE 2 : Influence du diamètre des billes du garnissage poreux sur la vitesse de circulation de la mousse, à dépression constante. EXAMPLE 2 Influence of the Diameters of the Pellets of the Porous Lining on the Circulation Speed of the Foam Under Constant Depression

Dans cet exemple, le diamètre des billes de verre du garnissage poreux est de 3 mm ou de 1,6 mm, l'épaisseur du garnissage z est de 0,08 m, la dépression est constante à 15x103 Pa, et la longueur de la conduite cylindrique de 4 m.In this example, the diameter of the glass balls of the porous packing is 3 mm or 1.6 mm, the thickness of the packing z is 0.08 m, the depression is constant at 15 × 10 3 Pa, and the length of the cylindrical pipe of 4 m.

On mesure la vitesse Vm de circulation de la mousse en m/s dans la conduite cylindrique.The velocity V m of circulation of the foam is measured in m / s in the cylindrical pipe.

Les phases liquide et gazeuse utilisées sont les mêmes que celles décrites pour l'exemple 1. The liquid and gaseous phases used are the same as those described for Example 1.

Différents essais ont été réalisés en faisant varier le débit de phase liquide Qℓ en l/h traversant le garnissage poreux.Various tests have been carried out by vary the liquid phase flow rate Qℓ in l / hr porous lining.

Le tableau 2 suivant regroupe les résultats des mesures de cet exemple. ESSAIS 70a 70b 70c 70d 62a 62b 62c DIAMETRE DES BILLES DU GARNISSAGE POREUX (mm) 3 3 3 3 1,6 1,6 1,6 EPAISSEUR DU LIT z(en m) 0,08 0,08 0,08 0,08 0,08 0,08 0,08 Qℓ en l/h 5 10 15 20 5 10 15 Vm(m/s) 0,15 0,14 0,14 0,17 0,021 0,027 0,030 Table 2 below groups the results of the measurements in this example. TESTS 70 a 70 b 70c 70 d 62 a 62 b 62 c DIAMETER OF POROUS TRIM BEADS (mm) 3 3 3 3 1.6 1.6 1.6 THICKNESS OF BED z (in m) 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.08 Qℓ in l / h 5 10 15 20 5 10 15 V m (m / s) 0.15 0.14 0.14 0.17 0,021 0,027 0,030

La figure 4 est un graphique illustrant ces résultats sur lequel les références 70a-d et 62a-c correspondent à celles données aux essais dans le tableau 2.Figure 4 is a graph illustrating these results on which the references 70 ad and 62 ac correspond to those given in the tests in Table 2.

Ces résultats montrent que la vitesse de circulation de la mousse est d'autant plus grande que le diamètre des billes du garnissage poreux est grand.These results show that the speed of foam circulation is even greater than the diameter of the balls of the porous lining is large.

EXEMPLE 3 : Influence du débit de la phase liquide sur le foisonnement de la mousse. EXAMPLE 3 Influence of the Flow of the Liquid Phase on the Expansion of the Foam

Dans cet exemple, les phases liquide et gazeuse utilisées sont les mêmes que celles décrites dans les exemples précédents et la longueur de la conduite cylindrique est de 4 m.In this example, the liquid and gaseous phases used are the same as those described in the previous examples and the length of the pipe cylindrical is 4 m.

Les essais de cet exemple sont réalisés pour deux épaisseurs z du garnissage poreux : 0,08 m (essais 80) et 0,11 m (essais 82). Le diamètre des billes du garnissage poreux est de 0,003 m pour tous les essais et la dépression est constante à 15x103 Pa.The tests of this example are carried out for two thicknesses z of the porous packing: 0.08 m (tests 80) and 0.11 m (tests 82). The diameter of the balls of the porous packing is 0.003 m for all the tests and the depression is constant at 15x10 3 Pa.

La vitesse de circulation de la mousse, observée pour chaque groupe d'essais, est constante : soit 0,15 m/s pour les essais 80 ; et 0,12 m/s pour les essais 82.The speed of circulation of the foam observed for each group of tests, is constant: either 0.15 m / s for the 80 tests; and 0.12 m / s for tests 82.

On mesure le foisonnement F de la mousse à la sortie du circuit en fonction du débit Qℓ de la phase liquide en l/h.We measure the expansion F of the foam at the output of the circuit according to the flow Qℓ of the phase liquid in l / h.

Le tableau 3 suivant regroupe les résultats obtenus dans cet exemple. ESSAIS 80
z=0,08 m
Vm=0,15 m/s Qℓ en l/h 3,6 9 14,4 18,8 F 51 26 17 15 ESSAIS 82
z=0,11 m
Vm=0,12 m/s Qℓ en l/h 3,6 9 14,4 18,8 F 54 22 13 11 Table 3 below groups the results obtained in this example. TESTS 80
z = 0.08 m
V m = 0.15 m / s Qℓ in l / h 3.6 9 14.4 18.8 F 51 26 17 15 TESTS 82
z = 0.11 m
V m = 0.12 m / s Qℓ in l / h 3.6 9 14.4 18.8 F 54 22 13 11

La figure 5 est une représentation graphique des résultats du tableau 3, sur lequel les références 80 et 82 correspondent respectivement aux essais 80 et 82.Figure 5 is a graphical representation of Table 3 results, on which the references 80 and 82 correspond to tests 80 and 82, respectively.

Ces résultats montrent qu'à dépression constante, le foisonnement F de la mousse diminue lorsque le débit Qℓ de la phase liquide augmente. Ainsi, le choix du débit de la phase liquide permet de fixer la qualité de la mousse.These results show that at constant depression, the expansion of the foam decreases when the flow Qℓ of the liquid phase increases. Thus, the choice of flow rate of the liquid phase makes it possible to set the quality of the foam.

EXEMPLE 4 : Influence de la dépression sur la vitesse de circulation de la mousse EXAMPLE 4 Influence of the Depression on the Circulation Speed of the Foam

Dans cet exemple, les phases liquide et gazeuses de l'exemple 1 sont utilisées, la conduite cylindrique a une longueur de 15 mètres, le diamètre des billes est de 0,003 m et l'épaisseur du garnissage poreux est de 0,08 m.In this example, the liquid and gaseous phases of Example 1 are used, the cylindrical pipe has a length of 15 meters, the diameter of the balls is of 0.003 m and the thickness of the porous lining is 0.08 m.

On a mesuré en fonction de la dépression appliquée dans le circuit la vitesse de circulation de la mousse. Measured by applied depression in the circuit the speed of circulation of the foam.

Le tableau 4 regroupe les résultats obtenus dans cet exemple. DEPRESSION DANS LE CIRCUIT (x102Pa) 150 200 300 350 400 450 Vm (m/s) 0,08 0,16 0,23 0,26 0,32 0,35 Table 4 groups together the results obtained in this example. DEPRESSION IN THE CIRCUIT (x10 2 Pa) 150 200 300 350 400 450 V m (m / s) 0.08 0.16 0.23 0.26 0.32 0.35

La figure 6 est une représentation graphique des résultats du tableau 4.Figure 6 is a graphical representation of Table 4 results.

Sur cette figure, le point A a été obtenu par extrapolation linéaire de la courbe 95.In this figure, point A was obtained by linear extrapolation of the curve 95.

Ce point A correspond à la dépression ΔP minimale dans le circuit mesurée par rapport à la pression atmosphérique, à partir de laquelle la mousse présente un comportement rhéologique de type newtonien. Dans les conditions décrites pour cet exemple, ΔP=43x102 Pa.This point A corresponds to the minimum vacuum ΔP in the circuit measured with respect to the atmospheric pressure, from which the foam exhibits a Newtonian-type rheological behavior. Under the conditions described for this example, ΔP = 43 × 10 2 Pa.

Ces résultats montrent que pour des caractéristiques constantes du générateur de mousse (diamètre des billes du garnissage poreux, épaisseur du garnissage poreux), la vitesse de circulation de la mousse est une fonction linéaire de la dépression.These results show that for constant characteristics of the foam generator (diameter of the balls of the porous packing, thickness of the porous packing), the speed of circulation of the Moss is a linear function of depression.

Claims (22)

  1. Method for generating a foam from a liquid phase and a gas phase, comprising a step consisting of generating the foam by aspiration of the liquid phase and of the gas phase through a porous lining.
  2. Method for placing a foam in circulation in an installation, comprising a step consisting of generating a foam according to the method of claim 1 at a first end of the installation such that the generated foam is inserted into said installation and circulates through it as far as a second end of the installation, aspiration being conducted by setting up a low pressure in said installation starting from said second end.
  3. Method for cleaning an installation using the method of claim 2, and in which the foam is a cleaning foam.
  4. Method according to claim 3, in which the cleaning foam is also a decontaminating foam.
  5. Method according to any of claims 2 to 4 also comprising the steps consisting of collecting the foam from the second end of the installation, of destabilising the collected foam such as to obtain a liquid, and of using at least part of said liquid as liquid phase to generate the foam placed in circulation in said installation.
  6. Method according to claim 5, in which the liquid is purified before being used as liquid phase to generate the foam.
  7. Method according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the liquid phase contains:
    from 0.2 to 0.5% by weight of betaine,
    from 0.3 to 1% by weight of an oligosaccharide alkyl ether, and optionally
    from 0.2 to 1% by weight of a destabilising agent.
  8. Method according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the liquid phase contains:
    3 to 6 mol.l-1 sulphuric acid,
    0.1 to 1% by weight of a viscosing compound,
    0.2 to 0.5% by weight of betaine,
    0.3 to 1% by weight of an oligosaccharide alkyl ether, and optionally
    0.2 to 1% by weight of a destabilising agent.
  9. Method according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the liquid phase contains:
    3 to 5 mol.l-1 NaOH,
    0.1 to 1% by weight of a viscosing compound,
    0.2 to 0.5% by weight of betaine,
    0.3 to 1% by weight of an oligosaccharide alkyl ether, and optionally
    0.2 to 1% by weight of a destabilising agent.
  10. Method according to claims 1 to 9, in which the gas phase is chosen from among air, nitrogen, oxygen, argon or helium, used alone or in combination.
  11. System (1) for generating a foam comprising:
    a chamber (3) provided with at least one inlet opening (9, 11) and at least one outlet opening,
    a porous lining (5) placed between the inlet and outlet openings (9, 11) of the chamber,
    means (13) for inserting in said chamber a liquid phase and a gas phase through the said, at least one, inlet opening (9, 11),
    means for aspirating said liquid phase and said gas phase through the porous lining, the generated foam being evacuated from said chamber by said aspiration means through said, at least one, outlet opening.
  12. System for placing a foam in circulation in an installation (20), said system comprising:
    the foam generation system according to claim 11, and
    sealed connection means between said , at least one, outlet opening of the chamber and the first end (20a) of the installation,
    said means for aspirating the liquid phase and the gas phase through the porous lining being positioned at the second end (20b) of the installation such as to set up a low pressure in said part of the installation in which the foam is to be circulated, said low pressure making it possible to generate the foam and to circulate it in the installation between its first end (20a) and its second end (20b).
  13. System according to claim 11 or 12, comprising in addition at least one spray means (13) for spraying the liquid phase in the chamber.
  14. System according to claim 13, in which the spray means (13) is a nozzle or grid.
  15. System according to any of claims 11 to 14, in which the porous lining (5) is made up of a material chosen from among a stack of metal grids, a knitted synthetic fibre, sand, diatoma, perlites, gauged solid beads, a material having interstices.
  16. System according to any of claims 11 to 15, in which the introduction means (11) for adding the gas phase to the chamber is at least one inlet opening (11) for ambient atmospheric air.
  17. System according to any of claims 11 to 16, in which the means (9, 11) for introducing a liquid phase into said chamber (3) through at least one inlet opening comprises a measuring pump (48) and flow measurement means (50).
  18. System according to any of claims 11 to 17, in which the aspiration means for the liquid phase and the gas phase through the porous lining comprise a vacuum pump (34).
  19. System according to claim 18, in which the vacuum pump (34) is fitted with a condensate trap.
  20. System according to claim 12, comprising in addition a foam collector tank (26) placed at the second end of the installation.
  21. System according to claim 20, comprising in addition collecting means (38, 42) for the liquid derived from destabilisation of the foam in the foam collector tank (26), and means (42, 48) for pumping said recovered liquid as far as the introduction means (9) for the liquid phase into the chamber of the foam generation system.
  22. System according to claim 21, comprising in addition means (52, 53) for purifying the recovered liquid, said purification means being placed downstream from the foam collector tank (26) and upstream from the introduction means (48a) for the liquid phase into the chamber of the foam generation system.
EP99900935A 1998-01-16 1999-01-15 Method for generating and circulating a foam in an installation and device for carrying out said method Expired - Lifetime EP1047490B1 (en)

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FR9800436 1998-01-16
FR9800436A FR2773725B1 (en) 1998-01-16 1998-01-16 METHOD FOR GENERATING AND CIRCULATING A FOAM IN A PLANT AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD
PCT/FR1999/000075 WO1999036165A1 (en) 1998-01-16 1999-01-15 Method for generating and circulating a foam in an installation and device for carrying out said method

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JP (1) JP4166945B2 (en)
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RU2191623C2 (en) 2002-10-27
JP4166945B2 (en) 2008-10-15
DE69904694D1 (en) 2003-02-06
WO1999036165A1 (en) 1999-07-22
UA59427C2 (en) 2003-09-15
AU2058899A (en) 1999-08-02
FR2773725B1 (en) 2000-02-25
JP2002509019A (en) 2002-03-26
EP1047490A1 (en) 2000-11-02
US20030150480A1 (en) 2003-08-14
ES2190192T3 (en) 2003-07-16
FR2773725A1 (en) 1999-07-23
DE69904694T2 (en) 2003-09-18
US6932330B2 (en) 2005-08-23
US6561200B1 (en) 2003-05-13

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