EP1220722B1 - Methods and apparatus for clearing pipes - Google Patents
Methods and apparatus for clearing pipes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1220722B1 EP1220722B1 EP00956733A EP00956733A EP1220722B1 EP 1220722 B1 EP1220722 B1 EP 1220722B1 EP 00956733 A EP00956733 A EP 00956733A EP 00956733 A EP00956733 A EP 00956733A EP 1220722 B1 EP1220722 B1 EP 1220722B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- pipe
- gas
- forcing
- contents
- forcing means
- 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.)
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto
- B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
- B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
- B08B9/032—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
- B08B9/0321—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid
- B08B9/0325—Control mechanisms therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto
- B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
- B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
- B08B9/032—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
- B08B9/0321—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid
- B08B9/0323—Arrangements specially designed for simultaneous and parallel cleaning of a plurality of conduits
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto
- B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
- B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
- B08B9/032—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing
- B08B9/0321—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid
- B08B9/0327—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages by the mechanical action of a moving fluid, e.g. by flushing using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid the fluid being in the form of a mist
Definitions
- This invention relates to methods and apparatus for clearing pipes.
- Pipes such as water pipes, pipes in industrial plants for transferring liquids, slurries, particulate materials, as well as air ducts, oil pipelines, drains and so forth, are conventionally cleared of the flowable material conveyed in them or of accumulated sediment by means of a pig, a device sent through the pipe, either by hauling or pushing or under its own power.
- DE2629301A there is disclosed a disposal facility for sewage with a pressure conduit, in which contaminated waste water is forced into the pressure conduit by means of a submersible motor-driven pump with a filtrate collection chamber.
- the sewage is supplied more or less continuously with oxygen so that the sewage cannot begin to decompose while it is in the pressure conduit by air compressors at one or more suitable locations in the pressure conduit, which aerate the conduit more or less continuously and at a constant level by injection of measured quantities of air, and/or allow flushing air into the conduit at suitable intervals.
- the flushing air flushes out the sewage in the conduit quickly and is followed by a flow - increasing in speed - of compressible air, which disturbs the deposits so that they are removed.
- US5915395 is disclosed a method of cleaning water mains by, in an isolated section of the main, interspersing slugs of water between sections of compressed air which includes atomized chlorine and a polyphosphate inhibitor.
- the present invention provides methods and apparatus for clearing pipes which represent substantial improvements over pig-associated methods and apparatus.
- the methods and apparatus of the invention use air, or another gas, to clear contents out of pipes, but are adapted to clear many materials other than water or sewage and in a wider variety of circumstances, and to provide ancillary functions not possible with those earlier methods.
- the invention comprises a method for clearing pipes having an inlet end and one or more outlets, comprising discharging the pipe contents by a gas flow, characterised by comprising the steps of:
- the gas forcing means may serve also for the high flow velocity step.
- a cleaning fluid may be introduced into the pipe after the gas forcing steps.
- the cleaning fluid may fill the pipe at least between the inlet and the open outlet or outlets.
- the cleaning fluid will then be discharged from the pipe - which may be done, clearly, by using the gas forcing means again, after which, with the outlet or outlets throttled down, a gas may be forced into the pipe to increase the pressure therein so that the accompanying adiabatic temperature increase dries the pipe of cleaning fluid.
- the gas forced into the pipe in any or all steps may be air, indeed, will conveniently be air, though for certain applications e.g. food and drinks manufacturing of filling plant, nitrogen or carbon dioxide may be preferred, and other gases may be used for special applications.
- water will be the usual choice - water can easily be evaporated with an adiabatic temperature rise up to 100°C, readily attainable with a pipe overpressure of less than 1 bar.
- Other cleaning fluids such as organic solvents, can be used where required, and these will often be easier to dry off than water
- the high velocity blowing step may involve a gas velocity through the pipe of the order of 20 m/s.
- the characteristics of a gas forcing means to achieve such a flow rate will depend upon the geometry of the pipe, and the actual velocity required may well also depend upon pipe geometry as well as on the nature of the material which is required to be cleared, Given this "ball park" figure of 20 m/s, trial and error will readily establish the gas forcing requirements for any given pipe system.
- the amount of overpressure required for an adiabatic heating drying step can be readily calculated from Boyle's law, and the gas forcing requirements adjusted to achieve that, if not already adequate from the pipe clearing considerations, while the throttling can be adjusted to bring about the required pressure increase while ensuring a sufficient flow through of the gas to eliminate the evaporated cleaning fluid.
- the invention also comprises apparatus for clearing pipes by means of a gas flow, characterised by comprising:
- the gas forcing means may comprise a pump.
- the gas forcing means may, however, comprise blower, turbine or compressor means, which may be capable of generating a gas flow velocity through the pipe of the order of 20 m/s.
- the forcing means and valve means may be adapted to the pipe to cooperate to elevate the pressure inside the pipe so as to increase the temperature of the gas in the pipe to evaporate a cleaning liquid while maintaining a flow out of the pipe through said valve means.
- the apparatus may be built into a manufacturing plant, either as a retrofit into an existing plant, or as a custom installation in new plant.
- Portable apparatus may be used, however, for example to provide a service whether for routine or occasional pipe clearing.
- Access for the gas forcing means and connections for the outlet valving may be designed into new plant or may be retrofitted and left after use for future use, or may be improvised as required.
- the apparatus may comprise a control arrangement controlling the gas forcing means.
- the control arrangement may control the gas forcing means in accordance with conditions in the pipe, and may comprise a relief valve and/or a pipe internal pressure measuring device and/or a pipe internal temperature measuring device.
- the control means may control the output of the gas forcing means.
- the gas forcing means may comprise a rotary blower and the control means may control the rate of rotation thereof. If the blower is electrically powered, speed control may be via a frequency converter.
- the control arrangement may comprise a programmed computer, which may be programmed to cause the gas forcing means and all ancillary equipment to operate in accordance with sensed variables and/or to a time regime.
- a major application for the method is in the area of drains from domestic, commercial and industrial premises, which are currently unblocked using rodding or water jet technologies - pigs are not usually feasible.
- drainage systems that may be anything but straight, even broken, with adjacent parts misaligned and possibly of differing cross-section along their length, rodding and jetting systems can be problematical at best, and potentially capable of damaging a pipe, or adding to damage already present.
- Apparatus according to the invention can be trailer-mounted for servicing drains - of course, building drains will not usually require anything beyond the clearing steps, and so fitting a throttled outlet will not usually be required.
- FIG. 1 illustrates methods and apparatus for clearing pipe 11 having an inlet end 11a and one or more outlet ends 11b.
- there are two outlet ends 11b there being a branch 11c in the pipe 11. It is just such a branch, as well as bend 11d in the pipe 11, that gives rise to problems in rodding and jetting.
- the method as illustrated in Figure 1, comprises
- a throttling or relief valve 13 will usually be provided. This will be throttled down or set to open at a given internal pressure in the pipe 11 to protect the same.
- the method is of general applicability, regardless of the length of the pipe - pipelines up to several kilometres in length could be cleared in this way - and regardless, also, of the cross-sectional size or shape of the pipe.
- the method may be used to clear process pipework in industrial plants, hot air and air conditioning ducting, drains and sewers, even if the pipe is damaged or changes in cross-section (whether shape or size) or direction (even if there are right-angle bends), and even if there are sharp steps in the pipe and internal obstructions such as instrument probes, flanges, or tree roots in drains and sewers.
- the high pressure, low velocity step will usually clear away the bulk of material in the pipe, leaving, however, material that may lie in U-formations or be trapped against protuberances - it will, at least, clear a gas flow path through the pipe.
- the low pressure, high velocity step will clear out any such detritus left behind after the high pressure step.
- the lifting power of a fluid flow can be proportional to the fourth power of its velocity - even a small increase in velocity above a nominal 20 m/s can result in a substantially greater ability to pick up and carry out liquids, solids or mixtures thereof left in the pipe after the high pressure, low velocity step.
- the cleaning fluid - which will usually be water, but which may be any other liquid appropriate to the cleaning task in hand, for example an organic solvent - may flow through the pipe and be cleared from the pipe if necessary by re-use of the high pressure, low velocity and low pressure, high velocity gas blowing steps.
- Any film of cleaning fluid left on the walls of the pipe and, of course, any pools of fluid left behind by the blowing operations, will be evaporated by adiabatic heating as the pipe outlet is throttled down, leading to a pressure increase while permitting flow through the pipe to carry away the evaporated cleaning fluid.
- Figure 2 illustrates the method and apparatus of the invention in the context of an industrial plant in which a product, for example, minestrone soup for canning, is mixed in a mixing tank 21 for transfer by pipe 22 to a stock tank 23 whence by pipe 24 to a filler arrangement 25 for the cans or other containers for shipment, retail and so on.
- a product for example, minestrone soup for canning
- Transfer from mixing tank 21 to stock tank 23 is effected by a pump 25, and from stock tank 23 to filler arrangement 25 by a pipe 26.
- a valve 27 allows the product filling operation or product transfer to other receptacles.
- the additional equipment comprises a blower unit 29 and valves 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, 29e, 29f, 29g.
- the blower unit 29, which is essentially a ducted fan arrangement, is connected to valves 29a and 29b by a gas delivery pipe 31, thence to valve 29e by a gas delivery pipe 32.
- Valves 29c and 29f deliver process water or cleaning fluid.
- the blower unit 29 is turned on with valves 29a and 29b connecting it to the pipe 22.
- the high pressure, low velocity initial flow from the blower unit 29 pushes product out of the pipe 22 into the receiving stock tank 23, and the ensuing low pressure/high velocity flow then cleans out any product not cleared by the high pressure, low volume flow.
- Cleaning liquid e.g. water
- valve 29c the valve 29a being shut off from the blower unit 29 but open to the pipe 22.
- the cleaning liquid can be pumped into and through the pipe 22 by a separate pressure source.
- valve 29c is shut off from the cleaning fluid supply, and valves 29a and 29b opened to connect the pipe 22 to the blower unit 29.
- valve 29d is throttled down so that the gas pressure inside pipe 22 increases to heat the gas adiabatically and evaporate the cleaning liquid, which is expelled from the valve 29d as vapour carried in the gas outflow.
- FIG. 2 shows cleaning liquid connectible via valves 29c and 29f to pipes 22 and 26 in turn.
- the entire arrangement can be made as a retrofit to existing plant, or designed into new plant.
- FIGS 3, 4 and 5 are elevations showing how one arrangement would appear in practice.
- FIG 3 illustrates the blower unit 29, which comprises a motor 41, driving a fan 42.
- a valve tree 43 includes a filter 44 so that the blower unit 29 delivers filtered air to the pipe 22.
- Valve 29a is shown, without connection from the mixing tank 21, connecting to the pipe 22, Figure 2.
- Figure 4 shows a possible arrangement at the outlet end, or an outlet end of a system such as is illustrated in Figure 2, in which the pipe 22 terminates in a riser 22a with an attached section 22b delivering into a receiving tank 51.
- Figure 5 shows the same riser 22a to the pipe 22 adapted for the adiabatic temperature increase by the section 22b being removed and substituted by a valve arrangement 52 which can be opened for passage of a cleaning fluid before being throttled down for the adiabatic heat generation.
- Valve units 52 can be located at different positions in a pipe system so that different sections of pipe can be treated individually.
- the method is adaptable to many different pipe clearing operations covering all lengths and cross-sections (size, shape) of pipe, conveying all manner of products, such as liquids, slurries, powders.
- the apparatus may, according to the invention, be built in to commercial premises or industrial plant, or may be mounted on a trailer for deployment on an ad hoc basis, for example as an alternative or an auxiliary to conventional drain rodding and jetting equipment.
- the method is used, not as a method of cleaning pipes for maintenance purposes, rather as an integral part of a manufacturing process - a pipe can have a definitive volume and that volume of product can be precisely delivered by filling the pipe and then clearing its contents into a receiving tank.
- the method in broad aspect, can also be employed in connection with drains and sewers on a routine basis.
- the second - high velocity, low pressure - part of the process would be particularly beneficial in controlling flow through and levels in drains and sewers, keeping them generally free from accumulation of debris.
- Blowers and valves can be fitted at strategic locations to control flow in sections of sewer.
- gas forcing means any appropriate apparatus for forcing gas or air through the pipe in question.
- An internal combustion engine-powered blower may be suitable for portable apparatus (such as equipment for cleaning sewers and drains). Where heat greater than that which can be produced by adiabatic heating at pressures the pipe can stand or can attain (eg. due to leaks in sewers) for example for pasteurisation, is required, a heating blower can be used or - and especially where large pipes or systems are concerned, even a gas turbine.
- Figures 6 and 7 shown a drain clearing arrangement according to the invention.
- an appropriately geared prime mover 72 shown as a petrol engine with a fuel tank 73
- the fitting 65 is connectible to a flexible hose 67 from the unit 61, and has a valved inlet 67 for a supply of water - other valved openings may also be fitted, e.g. for a water spray.
- the end 63b of the drain or sewer 63 is fitted with a connector 69 held in by another adjuster 66.
- the collector can be exchanged for a valve arrangement to control flow of cleaning fluid and air for adiabatic heating, if desired, though this will not always be a requirement in drain and sewer clearing.
- the prime mover 72 has a central panel 76 and there is a separate control panel 77 for setting up and controlling the blowing arrangements, valving and so forth.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
- Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to methods and apparatus for clearing pipes.
- Pipes, such as water pipes, pipes in industrial plants for transferring liquids, slurries, particulate materials, as well as air ducts, oil pipelines, drains and so forth, are conventionally cleared of the flowable material conveyed in them or of accumulated sediment by means of a pig, a device sent through the pipe, either by hauling or pushing or under its own power.
- In straight, circular section pipes, pigs are usually quite satisfactory, but problems arise with non-circular sections or pipes which have changes in direction or bifurcations.
- In DE2629301A there is disclosed a disposal facility for sewage with a pressure conduit, in which contaminated waste water is forced into the pressure conduit by means of a submersible motor-driven pump with a filtrate collection chamber. The sewage is supplied more or less continuously with oxygen so that the sewage cannot begin to decompose while it is in the pressure conduit by air compressors at one or more suitable locations in the pressure conduit, which aerate the conduit more or less continuously and at a constant level by injection of measured quantities of air, and/or allow flushing air into the conduit at suitable intervals. The flushing air flushes out the sewage in the conduit quickly and is followed by a flow - increasing in speed - of compressible air, which disturbs the deposits so that they are removed.
- In US5915395 is disclosed a method of cleaning water mains by, in an isolated section of the main, interspersing slugs of water between sections of compressed air which includes atomized chlorine and a polyphosphate inhibitor.
- The present invention provides methods and apparatus for clearing pipes which represent substantial improvements over pig-associated methods and apparatus.
- Like DE2629301A and US5915395, the methods and apparatus of the invention use air, or another gas, to clear contents out of pipes, but are adapted to clear many materials other than water or sewage and in a wider variety of circumstances, and to provide ancillary functions not possible with those earlier methods.
- The invention comprises a method for clearing pipes having an inlet end and one or more outlets, comprising discharging the pipe contents by a gas flow, characterised by comprising the steps of:
- at said inlet end, forcing a gas into the pipe with said outlet or at least one of said outlets open to discharge the bulk of the pipe contents forced through the pipe by said gas, using gas forcing means capable of maintaining an overpressure sufficient therefor at a low flow velocity;
- only when said bulk pipe contents have been discharged by the low flow rate step, again at said inlet end, and with said outlet or outlets open, forcing a gas into the pipe at a lower overpressure and a higher gas flow velocity to clear any contents remaining in the pipe after said high pressure, low flow rate step.
- The gas forcing means may serve also for the high flow velocity step.
- A cleaning fluid may be introduced into the pipe after the gas forcing steps. The cleaning fluid may fill the pipe at least between the inlet and the open outlet or outlets.
- The cleaning fluid will then be discharged from the pipe - which may be done, clearly, by using the gas forcing means again, after which, with the outlet or outlets throttled down, a gas may be forced into the pipe to increase the pressure therein so that the accompanying adiabatic temperature increase dries the pipe of cleaning fluid.
- The gas forced into the pipe in any or all steps may be air, indeed, will conveniently be air, though for certain applications e.g. food and drinks manufacturing of filling plant, nitrogen or carbon dioxide may be preferred, and other gases may be used for special applications.
- As a cleaning fluid, water will be the usual choice - water can easily be evaporated with an adiabatic temperature rise up to 100°C, readily attainable with a pipe overpressure of less than 1 bar. Other cleaning fluids, such as organic solvents, can be used where required, and these will often be easier to dry off than water
- The high velocity blowing step may involve a gas velocity through the pipe of the order of 20 m/s. The characteristics of a gas forcing means to achieve such a flow rate will depend upon the geometry of the pipe, and the actual velocity required may well also depend upon pipe geometry as well as on the nature of the material which is required to be cleared, Given this "ball park" figure of 20 m/s, trial and error will readily establish the gas forcing requirements for any given pipe system.
- Like wise, the amount of overpressure required for an adiabatic heating drying step can be readily calculated from Boyle's law, and the gas forcing requirements adjusted to achieve that, if not already adequate from the pipe clearing considerations, while the throttling can be adjusted to bring about the required pressure increase while ensuring a sufficient flow through of the gas to eliminate the evaporated cleaning fluid.
- The invention also comprises apparatus for clearing pipes by means of a gas flow, characterised by comprising:
- gas forcing means connecting to an inlet end of the pipe
- valve means adapted to throttle down an outlet of the pipe
- said gas forcing means and valve means being adapted to the pipe to cooperate to effect both higher pressure, low flow velocity, and lower pressure, higher flow velocity of gas through the pipe whereby first to clear bulk pipe contents using the high pressure flow and then using the higher velocity flow only when the contents have been discharged by the low flow rate step to clear any contents remaining in the pipe after said low flow rate step.
- The gas forcing means may comprise a pump.
- The gas forcing means may, however, comprise blower, turbine or compressor means, which may be capable of generating a gas flow velocity through the pipe of the order of 20 m/s.
- The forcing means and valve means may be adapted to the pipe to cooperate to elevate the pressure inside the pipe so as to increase the temperature of the gas in the pipe to evaporate a cleaning liquid while maintaining a flow out of the pipe through said valve means.
- The apparatus may be built into a manufacturing plant, either as a retrofit into an existing plant, or as a custom installation in new plant. Portable apparatus may be used, however, for example to provide a service whether for routine or occasional pipe clearing. Access for the gas forcing means and connections for the outlet valving may be designed into new plant or may be retrofitted and left after use for future use, or may be improvised as required.
- The apparatus may comprise a control arrangement controlling the gas forcing means. The control arrangement may control the gas forcing means in accordance with conditions in the pipe, and may comprise a relief valve and/or a pipe internal pressure measuring device and/or a pipe internal temperature measuring device.
- The control means may control the output of the gas forcing means. The gas forcing means may comprise a rotary blower and the control means may control the rate of rotation thereof. If the blower is electrically powered, speed control may be via a frequency converter.
- The control arrangement may comprise a programmed computer, which may be programmed to cause the gas forcing means and all ancillary equipment to operate in accordance with sensed variables and/or to a time regime.
- A major application for the method is in the area of drains from domestic, commercial and industrial premises, which are currently unblocked using rodding or water jet technologies - pigs are not usually feasible. With drainage systems that may be anything but straight, even broken, with adjacent parts misaligned and possibly of differing cross-section along their length, rodding and jetting systems can be problematical at best, and potentially capable of damaging a pipe, or adding to damage already present.
- Apparatus according to the invention can be trailer-mounted for servicing drains - of course, building drains will not usually require anything beyond the clearing steps, and so fitting a throttled outlet will not usually be required.
- Examples of apparatus and methods for clearing pipes according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
- Figure 1
- is a diagrammatic illustration of a basic system according to the invention;
- Figure 2
- is a diagrammatic illustration of an installation in a typical manufacturing plant;
- Figure 3
- is an elevation of a typical blower end of an apparatus;
- Figure 4
- is an elevation of an outlet end for the apparatus of Figure 3 arranged for pipe clearing; and
- Figure 5
- is an elevation of the outlet end of Figure 4, arranged for liquid cleaning and drying.
- Figure 6
- is a diagrammatic view of a drain clearing arrangement; and
- Figure 7
- is a layout of a trailer for drain clearing.
- The drawings illustrate methods and apparatus for clearing
pipe 11 having aninlet end 11a and one or more outlet ends 11b. In the diagrammatic apparatus of Figure 1, there are twooutlet ends 11b, there being a branch 11c in thepipe 11. It is just such a branch, as well asbend 11d in thepipe 11, that gives rise to problems in rodding and jetting. - The method, as illustrated in Figure 1, comprises
- at said
inlet end 11a, forcing a gas into thepipe 11 with saidoutlet end 11b, or at least one of saidoutlet ends 11b open to discharge pipe contents blown through by said gas - having only oneoutlet 11b open at a time reduces the requisite blower capacity clearly - using blower means 12 capable of maintaining an overpressure sufficient to blow through the pipe contents at a low flow rate; - when said pipe contents have been discharged, again at said
inlet end 11a and with said outlet end or at least one of said outlet ends open, blowing a gas into thepipe 11 at a low overpressure and a high flow rate to clear contents remaining in saidpipe 11 after said low flow rate step. - A throttling or
relief valve 13 will usually be provided. This will be throttled down or set to open at a given internal pressure in thepipe 11 to protect the same. - Whilst it would be possible to use different pump or blower means for the two steps, using a single blower capable of operating in both pressure/flow rate modes will save on capital cost of equipment and the time and trouble of changing over.
- The method is of general applicability, regardless of the length of the pipe - pipelines up to several kilometres in length could be cleared in this way - and regardless, also, of the cross-sectional size or shape of the pipe. Thus the method may be used to clear process pipework in industrial plants, hot air and air conditioning ducting, drains and sewers, even if the pipe is damaged or changes in cross-section (whether shape or size) or direction (even if there are right-angle bends), and even if there are sharp steps in the pipe and internal obstructions such as instrument probes, flanges, or tree roots in drains and sewers.
- The high pressure, low velocity step will usually clear away the bulk of material in the pipe, leaving, however, material that may lie in U-formations or be trapped against protuberances - it will, at least, clear a gas flow path through the pipe.
- The low pressure, high velocity step will clear out any such detritus left behind after the high pressure step. The lifting power of a fluid flow can be proportional to the fourth power of its velocity - even a small increase in velocity above a nominal 20 m/s can result in a substantially greater ability to pick up and carry out liquids, solids or mixtures thereof left in the pipe after the high pressure, low velocity step.
- The cleaning fluid - which will usually be water, but which may be any other liquid appropriate to the cleaning task in hand, for example an organic solvent - may flow through the pipe and be cleared from the pipe if necessary by re-use of the high pressure, low velocity and low pressure, high velocity gas blowing steps.
- Any film of cleaning fluid left on the walls of the pipe and, of course, any pools of fluid left behind by the blowing operations, will be evaporated by adiabatic heating as the pipe outlet is throttled down, leading to a pressure increase while permitting flow through the pipe to carry away the evaporated cleaning fluid.
- Figure 2 illustrates the method and apparatus of the invention in the context of an industrial plant in which a product, for example, minestrone soup for canning, is mixed in a
mixing tank 21 for transfer bypipe 22 to astock tank 23 whence by pipe 24 to afiller arrangement 25 for the cans or other containers for shipment, retail and so on. - Transfer from mixing
tank 21 tostock tank 23 is effected by apump 25, and fromstock tank 23 tofiller arrangement 25 by apipe 26. Avalve 27 allows the product filling operation or product transfer to other receptacles. - The additional equipment according to this embodiment of the invention comprises a
blower unit 29 andvalves - The
blower unit 29, which is essentially a ducted fan arrangement, is connected tovalves gas delivery pipe 31, thence tovalve 29e by agas delivery pipe 32.Valves 29c and 29f deliver process water or cleaning fluid. - To clear the
pipe 22, theblower unit 29 is turned on withvalves pipe 22. The high pressure, low velocity initial flow from theblower unit 29 pushes product out of thepipe 22 into the receivingstock tank 23, and the ensuing low pressure/high velocity flow then cleans out any product not cleared by the high pressure, low volume flow. - Cleaning liquid, e.g. water, can then be introduced via valve 29c, the
valve 29a being shut off from theblower unit 29 but open to thepipe 22. The cleaning liquid can be pumped into and through thepipe 22 by a separate pressure source. When this operation is completed, the valve 29c is shut off from the cleaning fluid supply, andvalves pipe 22 to theblower unit 29. When the cleaning liquid has been expelled to waste,valve 29d is throttled down so that the gas pressure insidepipe 22 increases to heat the gas adiabatically and evaporate the cleaning liquid, which is expelled from thevalve 29d as vapour carried in the gas outflow. - The process is repeated for
pipe 26. - An important advantage over prior art methods of process pipe cleaning is that product is not lost to waste, but can be delivered to a stock tank - no foreign body is inserted into the pipe that might spoil or contaminate the pipe contents.
- Figure 2 shows cleaning liquid connectible via
valves 29c and 29f topipes - The entire arrangement can be made as a retrofit to existing plant, or designed into new plant.
- Figures 3, 4 and 5 are elevations showing how one arrangement would appear in practice.
- Figure 3 illustrates the
blower unit 29, which comprises amotor 41, driving afan 42. Avalve tree 43 includes afilter 44 so that theblower unit 29 delivers filtered air to thepipe 22.Valve 29a is shown, without connection from the mixingtank 21, connecting to thepipe 22, Figure 2. - Figure 4 shows a possible arrangement at the outlet end, or an outlet end of a system such as is illustrated in Figure 2, in which the
pipe 22 terminates in ariser 22a with an attachedsection 22b delivering into a receivingtank 51. Figure 5 shows thesame riser 22a to thepipe 22 adapted for the adiabatic temperature increase by thesection 22b being removed and substituted by avalve arrangement 52 which can be opened for passage of a cleaning fluid before being throttled down for the adiabatic heat generation.Valve units 52 can be located at different positions in a pipe system so that different sections of pipe can be treated individually. - As mentioned, the method is adaptable to many different pipe clearing operations covering all lengths and cross-sections (size, shape) of pipe, conveying all manner of products, such as liquids, slurries, powders. The apparatus may, according to the invention, be built in to commercial premises or industrial plant, or may be mounted on a trailer for deployment on an ad hoc basis, for example as an alternative or an auxiliary to conventional drain rodding and jetting equipment.
- Various adaptations of the method are envisaged. In one adaptation, the method is used, not as a method of cleaning pipes for maintenance purposes, rather as an integral part of a manufacturing process - a pipe can have a definitive volume and that volume of product can be precisely delivered by filling the pipe and then clearing its contents into a receiving tank.
- The method, in broad aspect, can also be employed in connection with drains and sewers on a routine basis. The second - high velocity, low pressure - part of the process would be particularly beneficial in controlling flow through and levels in drains and sewers, keeping them generally free from accumulation of debris. Blowers and valves can be fitted at strategic locations to control flow in sections of sewer.
- By "gas forcing means" is to be understood any appropriate apparatus for forcing gas or air through the pipe in question. An internal combustion engine-powered blower may be suitable for portable apparatus (such as equipment for cleaning sewers and drains). Where heat greater than that which can be produced by adiabatic heating at pressures the pipe can stand or can attain (eg. due to leaks in sewers) for example for pasteurisation, is required, a heating blower can be used or - and especially where large pipes or systems are concerned, even a gas turbine.
- Figures 6 and 7 shown a drain clearing arrangement according to the invention.
- A mobile unit, on
trailer 61, which houses (Figure 7) ablower 71 driven by an appropriately gearedprime mover 72, shown as a petrol engine with afuel tank 73, and anoutlet pipe 74 with avalved pipe connector 75, is towable to anaccess point 62, for a drain orsewer 63 where theexposed end 63a of the drain orsewer 63 is fitted with a bung 64 accepting a fitting 65 rammed against theend 63a by anadjuster 66. - The fitting 65 is connectible to a
flexible hose 67 from theunit 61, and has avalved inlet 67 for a supply of water - other valved openings may also be fitted, e.g. for a water spray. - At a
downstream access point 68, theend 63b of the drain orsewer 63 is fitted with aconnector 69 held in by anotheradjuster 66. For clearing, the collector can be exchanged for a valve arrangement to control flow of cleaning fluid and air for adiabatic heating, if desired, though this will not always be a requirement in drain and sewer clearing. - The
prime mover 72 has acentral panel 76 and there is aseparate control panel 77 for setting up and controlling the blowing arrangements, valving and so forth.
Claims (23)
- A method for clearing pipes (11) having an inlet end (11a) and one or more outlets (11b), comprising discharging the pipe contents by a gas flow, characterised by comprising the steps of:at said inlet end (11a), forcing a gas into the pipe (11) with said outlet (11b) or at least one of said outlets (11b) open to discharge the bulk of the pipe contents forced through the pipe (11) by said gas, using gas forcing means (12) capable of maintaining an overpressure sufficient therefor at a low flow velocity;only when said bulk pipe contents have been discharged by the low flow rate step, again at said inlet end (11a), and with said outlet or outlets (11b) open, forcing a gas into the pipe (11) at a lower overpressure and a higher gas flow velocity to clear any contents remaining in the pipe (11) after said high pressure, low flow rate step.
- A method according to claim 1, in which the said forcing means (12) serve also for the higher flow velocity step.
- , A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which a cleaning fluid is introduced into the pipe (11) after the gas forcing steps.
- A method according to claim 3, in which the cleaning fluid fills the pipe (11) at least between the inlet end (11a) and the open outlet or outlets (11b).
- A method according to claim 3 or claim 4, in which the cleaning fluid is discharged from the pipe (11) and, with the outlet or outlets (11b) throttled down, a gas is forced into the pipe (11) to increase the pressure therein so that the accompanying adiabatic temperature rise dries the pipe (11) of cleaning fluid.
- A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the gas forced into the pipe (11) is air.
- A method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, in which the gas is forced into the pipe (11) by the same forcing means (12) for each step.
- A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the higher flow velocity step involves a gas velocity through the pipe (11) of the order of 20m/s.
- Apparatus for clearing pipes (11) by means of a gas flow, characterised by comprising:gas forcing means (12) connecting to an inlet end (11a) of the pipe (11)valve means (29d) adapted to throttle down an outlet (11b) of the pipe (11)said gas forcing means (12) and valve means (29D) being adapted to the pipe (11) to cooperate to effect both higher pressure, low flow velocity, and lower pressure, higher flow velocity of gas through the pipe (11) whereby first to clear bulk pipe contents using the high pressure flow and then using the higher velocity flow only when the contents have been discharged by the low flow rate step to clear any contents remaining in the pipe (11) after said low flow rate step.
- Apparatus according to claim 9, in which the forcing means (12) comprise a pump.
- , Apparatus according to claim 9, in which the forcing means (12) comprise blower means.
- Apparatus according to claim 11, in which the blower means (12) are capable of generating a gas flow velocity through the pipe (110 of the order of 20 m/s.
- Apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the forcing means (12) and valve means (29d) are adapted to the pipe (11) to cooperate to elevate the pressure inside the pipe (11) so as to increase the temperature of the gas in the pipe to evaporate a cleaning liquid while maintaining a flow out of the pipe (11) through said valve means (29d)
- Apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13. comprising a control arrangement (76) controlling the gas forcing means (12).
- , Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the control arrangement (76, 77) controls the gas forcing means in accordance with conditions within the pipe (11).
- , Apparatus according to claim 15, in which the control arrangement comprises a pressure relief valve (13).
- Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16, comprising a pipe internal pressure sensing device.
- Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 17, comprising a pipe internal temperature measuring device.
- Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 18, in which the control means control the output of the gas forcing means (12)
- Apparatus according to claim 19, in which the gas forcing means (12) comprise a rotary blower and the control means control the rate of rotation thereof.
- Apparatus according to claim 20, in which the blower (12) is electrically powered and speed control is via a frequency converter.
- Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 21, in which the control arrangement comprises a programmed computer.
- Apparatus according to claim 22, in which the computer is programmed to cause the gas fording means (12) and all ancillary equipment to operate in accordance with sensed variables and/or to a time regime.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9920876 | 1999-09-04 | ||
GB9920876A GB2353837B (en) | 1999-09-04 | 1999-09-04 | Methods and apparatus for clearing pipes |
PCT/GB2000/003394 WO2001017700A1 (en) | 1999-09-04 | 2000-09-04 | Methods and apparatus for clearing pipes |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1220722A1 EP1220722A1 (en) | 2002-07-10 |
EP1220722B1 true EP1220722B1 (en) | 2005-08-24 |
Family
ID=10860323
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00956733A Expired - Lifetime EP1220722B1 (en) | 1999-09-04 | 2000-09-04 | Methods and apparatus for clearing pipes |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1220722B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4854898B2 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE302656T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU6859600A (en) |
DE (1) | DE60022213T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1220722T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2248105T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2353837B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001017700A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7950403B2 (en) | 2007-03-08 | 2011-05-31 | The Coca-Cola Company | Pipe clearing systems |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6385810B1 (en) * | 2000-05-05 | 2002-05-14 | The Hoover Company | Latch arrangement for a vacuum cleaner dirt receptacle |
GB0226794D0 (en) * | 2002-11-16 | 2002-12-24 | Whirlwind By Air Ltd | Method and apparatus for treating pipes |
GB0326653D0 (en) * | 2003-11-15 | 2003-12-17 | Whirlwind By Air Ltd | Cleaning wall deposits from ducts |
EP1763409A1 (en) * | 2004-05-05 | 2007-03-21 | Whirlwind Technologies Limited | Clearing pipework in oil refineries and other plant having extensive pipework |
ITPD20040256A1 (en) * | 2004-10-15 | 2005-01-15 | Griggio Francesco | METHOD FOR REGENERATION OF CONDUCT FOR THE TRANSPORT OR TREATMENT OF AIR |
GB0510021D0 (en) * | 2005-05-17 | 2005-06-22 | Roscoe Keith | Liquid injection into gas stream |
EP1872877B1 (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2010-07-28 | Fluidor Equipment B.V. | Method and apparatus for clearing pipes |
CN102527679A (en) * | 2011-12-08 | 2012-07-04 | 常州市龙豪车辆配件厂 | Cleaning device for power-assisted steering pipe of automobile |
RU2590547C1 (en) * | 2015-01-20 | 2016-07-10 | Александр Николаевич Ряшенцев | Method of heat supply systems, water supply and disposal systems cleaning of impurities |
NL2015613B1 (en) | 2015-10-14 | 2017-05-08 | Fluidor Equipment B V | Method and system for clearing a pipe system. |
RU2674103C1 (en) * | 2017-12-25 | 2018-12-04 | Федеральное государственное бюджетное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "Воронежский государственный технический университет" | Method of washing water heating system, equipped with capacity heating devices |
US11214450B1 (en) * | 2021-03-11 | 2022-01-04 | Cciip Llc | Method of proofing an innerduct/microduct and proofing manifold |
KR102348009B1 (en) * | 2021-05-13 | 2022-01-06 | 한밭대학교 산학협력단 | Water pipe washing device and water pipe washing method using the same |
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DE2629301A1 (en) * | 1976-06-30 | 1978-01-05 | Enneking Heinz Dr Rer Nat | Extensive pressurised sewerage systems - use air compressors for sewage aeration and air scouring of sewers |
JPS5380763A (en) * | 1976-12-24 | 1978-07-17 | Fuji Electric Co Ltd | Cleaning system for raw wastes conveyer facilties using pneumatic conveyer |
DE2948201C2 (en) * | 1979-11-30 | 1985-09-26 | Degussa Ag, 6000 Frankfurt | Apparatus and method for periodically cleaning heat exchanger tubes from solid deposits and the use of this apparatus |
JPS5827679A (en) * | 1981-08-13 | 1983-02-18 | 早川 末吉 | Pipe cleaning method and apparatus |
JPS59189981A (en) * | 1983-04-11 | 1984-10-27 | 株式会社日本プラントサ−ビスセンタ− | Pipe cleaning method |
US5724701A (en) * | 1994-08-15 | 1998-03-10 | Jones; Edward Ames | H.V.A.C. duct cleaning system |
US5915395A (en) * | 1996-05-29 | 1999-06-29 | St Environmental Services | Method for the cleaning of water mains |
-
1999
- 1999-09-04 GB GB9920876A patent/GB2353837B/en not_active Revoked
-
2000
- 2000-09-04 EP EP00956733A patent/EP1220722B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-09-04 DE DE60022213T patent/DE60022213T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-09-04 JP JP2001521478A patent/JP4854898B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-09-04 ES ES00956733T patent/ES2248105T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-09-04 AT AT00956733T patent/ATE302656T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-09-04 WO PCT/GB2000/003394 patent/WO2001017700A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-09-04 AU AU68596/00A patent/AU6859600A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-09-04 DK DK00956733T patent/DK1220722T3/en active
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7950403B2 (en) | 2007-03-08 | 2011-05-31 | The Coca-Cola Company | Pipe clearing systems |
CN101626844B (en) * | 2007-03-08 | 2013-04-10 | 可口可乐公司 | Pipe clearing systems |
US9085018B2 (en) | 2007-03-08 | 2015-07-21 | The Coca-Cola Company | Pipe clearing systems |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2001017700A1 (en) | 2001-03-15 |
GB2353837A (en) | 2001-03-07 |
DK1220722T3 (en) | 2005-11-14 |
GB2353837B (en) | 2003-02-26 |
JP2003508220A (en) | 2003-03-04 |
ES2248105T3 (en) | 2006-03-16 |
JP4854898B2 (en) | 2012-01-18 |
EP1220722A1 (en) | 2002-07-10 |
GB2353837A8 (en) | 2004-05-19 |
AU6859600A (en) | 2001-04-10 |
GB9920876D0 (en) | 1999-11-10 |
ATE302656T1 (en) | 2005-09-15 |
DE60022213D1 (en) | 2005-09-29 |
DE60022213T2 (en) | 2006-06-01 |
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