GB2473594A - A pipeline lining pig having a through-bore - Google Patents

A pipeline lining pig having a through-bore Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2473594A
GB2473594A GB0909884A GB0909884A GB2473594A GB 2473594 A GB2473594 A GB 2473594A GB 0909884 A GB0909884 A GB 0909884A GB 0909884 A GB0909884 A GB 0909884A GB 2473594 A GB2473594 A GB 2473594A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
pipe
lining
outer chamber
supply
lining material
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB0909884A
Other versions
GB2473594B (en
GB0909884D0 (en
Inventor
Edward Richard Twell
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.)
Balfour Beatty PLC
Original Assignee
Balfour Beatty PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Balfour Beatty PLC filed Critical Balfour Beatty PLC
Priority to GB0909884A priority Critical patent/GB2473594B/en
Publication of GB0909884D0 publication Critical patent/GB0909884D0/en
Publication of GB2473594A publication Critical patent/GB2473594A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2473594B publication Critical patent/GB2473594B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/16—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders
    • F16L55/162—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe
    • F16L55/1645—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe a sealing material being introduced inside the pipe by means of a tool moving in the pipe
    • F16L55/16455—Devices for covering leaks in pipes or hoses, e.g. hose-menders from inside the pipe a sealing material being introduced inside the pipe by means of a tool moving in the pipe a part of the tool defining, together with the inner wall of the pipe, an enclosed space into which sealing material is injected
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/26—Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/26—Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means
    • F16L55/28—Constructional aspects
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/26—Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means
    • F16L55/28—Constructional aspects
    • F16L55/30—Constructional aspects of the propulsion means, e.g. towed by cables
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L55/00—Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems
    • F16L55/26—Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means
    • F16L55/28—Constructional aspects
    • F16L55/40—Constructional aspects of the body

Abstract

A pipe lining pig / mole / apparatus 10 for insertion into a pipe comprises an inner channel 16 extending between opposite ends 12, 14 providing an internal fluid passageway 24 through the apparatus, an outer chamber 18 defined between the outer surface of the lining pig and the inner surface of the pipe, and a supply pipe 22 which comprises a pressure control line for controlling the movement of the apparatus along the pipe as well as a supply line for providing the material, the supply line terminating at the outer chamber. Ideally, the through-hole / internal bore is provided so as to allow the lining apparatus to be used when the pipeline is live and without disrupting the supply. The lining material may be a curable polymer. The pipeline lining pig is designed such that the lining supply pressure provides propulsion. The lining polymer preferably hardens by the time it leaves the outer chamber.

Description

PIPE LINING
The invention relates to the lining of the internal walls of pipes. In particular, it relates to an apparatus and method for lining a live water mains pipe.
The desire to perform servicing or maintenance operations without disrupting the water flow through mains water pipes is well known.
One operation to restore a corroded pipe is to perform a lining operation. However, there are difficulties implementing a lining process whilst maintaining a fluid flow. For example, many linings are applied by spraying.
This requires a liquid-free area to be formed in the vicinity of the pipe wall to be sprayed, which of course presents difficulties for implementation in a live flow.
According to the invention, there is provided a pipe lining apparatus for insertion in a pipe, comprising: first and second, opposite, ends; an inner channel extending between the opposite ends providing a fluid passageway through the apparatus; an outer chamber between the opposite ends defined between the inner surface of the pipe wall and an outer surface of the pipe lining apparatus; and a supply pipe arrangement, which comprises a pressure control line for controlling the movement of the apparatus along the pipe as well as a supply line for the lining material, the supply pipe arrangement terminating at the outer chamber at one end of the outer chamber.
This arrangement provides an outer chamber against the pipe inner wall to which lining material is provided. The lining material is supplied to one end of the chamber as a semi-liquid compound. The supply of pipe lining liquid itself provides the driving force for the apparatus along the pipe, so that a simple device results. By the time the apparatus has moved a distance corresponding to the length of the outer chamber (which is essentially the length of the apparatus), the material has cured sufficiently to remain in place against the pipe wall.
The inner channel can be defined by a tubular housing extending along a central axis of the apparatus. The inner channel enables live water flow to be maintained.
The supply pipe arrangement can comprise a plurality of pipes distributed in an annular shape and leading to the one end of the apparatus.
There can be different components to the lining material, which together cure when mixed, and different pipes can be used to supply different components of the lining material.
The outer chamber can comprises a lead section and a tail section, wherein the tail section has an inner surface of constant radius and an outer surface defined by the inner surface of the pipe. This gives a constant inner radius to the lined pipe.
The lead section can comprise an enlarged portion, having an inner surface with smaller minimum radius than the inner surface radius of the tail section. This enlarged portion can act as a mixing chamber. The size of the enlarged portion can also determine how quickly the lining material will set.
Thus, the lining material, the design of the enlarged portion and the length of the tail section together ensure that the lining material does not set at the first end of the outer chamber, but does set at the opposite end of the outer chamber.
The opposite end of the apparatus can comprise a centring arrangement, for example a spring loaded arrangement, such that it can move between positions corresponding to the inner surface of the pipe before the lining is applied and the inner surface of the pipe after the lining is applied.
The one end of the apparatus can comprise a closure for closing the one end of the outer chamber. This limits the flow of lining material into the outer chamber, and helps to ensure the apparatus is driven along the pipe.
The invention also provides a method of lining the internal surface of a pipe, comprising: feeding a pipe lining apparatus into the pipe, the apparatus comprising first and second, opposite, ends, an inner channel extending between the opposite ends providing a fluid passageway through the apparatus and an outer chamber between the opposite ends defined between the inner surface of the pipe wall and an outer surface of the pipe lining apparatus, the method comprising: maintaining fluid flow in the pipe and providing lining material to one end of the outer chamber using a supply pipe arrangement, and using the supply of lining material to drive the apparatus along the pipe as the lining material is provided, wherein the lining material has cured sufficiently when it has been reached by the opposite end of the outer chamber to remain in place against the pipe inner wall.
An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an example of apparatus of the invention in cross section; Figure 2 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in perspective partially cut away view; and Figure 3 is used to explain how the apparatus of the invention is used.
The invention provides a pipe lining apparatus in which an inner channel extends between the opposite ends providing a fluid passageway through the apparatus, and an outer chamber is defined between the inner surface of the pipe wall and an outer surface of the pipe lining apparatus.
Lining material is supplied to one end of the outer chamber as a liquid. The supply of pipe lining liquid itself provides the driving force for the apparatus along the pipe, so that a simple device results.
Figure 1 shows an example of apparatus 10 of the invention in cross section. The apparatus 10 has first and second, opposite, ends 12,14.
An inner channel 16 extends between the opposite ends providing a fluid passageway through the apparatus.
An outer chamber 18 is defined between the opposite ends 12,14, between the inner surface 20 of the pipe wall and an outer surface of the pipe lining apparatus.
A supply pipe arrangement 22 functions as a pressure control line for controlling the movement of the apparatus along the pipe as well as a supply line for the lining material. The supply pipe arrangement 22 terminates at the outer chamber 18 at one end of the outer chamber, in particular the front end with reference to the direction of movement (arrow 24) of the apparatus along the pipe.
The inner channel 16 is defined by a tubular housing 26 extending along a central axis 28 of the apparatus.
The outer chamber 18 comprises a lead section 30 and a tail section 32. The tail section 32 has an inner surface of constant radius, corresponding to the constant outer radius of the housing 26. The outer surface is defined by the inner surface 20 of the pipe. The lead section 30 has an enlarged radial thickness so that there is a greater volume per unit length. Thus, the inner surface a has smaller minimum radius than the inner surface radius of the tail section 32. This enlarged volume slows the curing of the lining material, so that curing takes place preferentially in the tail section.
In operation of the device, lining material is supplied under pressure along the pipes 22. This fills the chamber in the lead section 30 and material is forced along the tail section. When the outer chamber 18 is full, the additional supply of lining material drives the apparatus forwards (the supply end 12 being the front of the apparatus). The design of the outer chamber, and the entry passages and direction of the lining material ensure that the pressures applied and lining material flow causes the apparatus to move forwards.
The lead section 30 has a closure 34. This acts as a surface against which fluid pressure is applied to push the apparatus forward when additional lining material is pumped into the outer chamber. It does not need to define a perfect seal, and indeed low friction with the pipe internal wall is desired.
The lining material enters the outer chamber as a liquid or semi-liquid and solidifies at least partly before the apparatus has advanced far enough to release the pipe with the lining material back into water supply. Thus, the tails section 32 has lining material of progressively increasing state of solidification towards the back end.
The design of the outer chamber, including the lead section shape and volume as well as the length of the tail section and the thickness of the lining, the lining material itself and the lining material supply rate are chosen such that the material remains in liquid or semi-liquid form in the lead part 30 and is sufficiently solidified at the end of the tail section 32.
The lining material can be a curable polymer. An energy source providing a polymerisation stimulus, such as ultraviolet light or heat, can be incorporated into the wall 26 for this purpose. Alternatively, the lining material can be multi component, such that curing takes place after mixing by a chemical process.
For this purpose, the supply pipe arrangement can comprises a plurality of pipes distributed in an annular shape and leading to the lead end of the outer chamber. Thus, the lead end of the outer chamber 18 can function as a mixing chamber. The curing time is then taken into account in the design of the apparatus, to ensure the lining material in the lead part of the outer chamber does not cure.
The lining material should not bond strongly to the apparatus. Indeed, it also does not need to bond with the inner wall of the pipe, provided it forms a solid lining which has been shaped to correspond to the profile of the inner wall of the pipe. The bonding strength of a cured polymer can be weak, so that adhesion to the apparatus, in particular the housing 26, is avoided, and therefore jamming of the apparatus is prevented.
Many examples of pipe lining material are known. One class is polymer resins which are cured by heating. This heating can be electric, or can be provided by pumping hot water or steam through a region of the housing 26.
An alternative is the use of separate resin and hardener components as mentioned above. Rapid setting two-part polymeric lining materials are also known. Such compositions are already used in spray lining applications.
The material used needs to be quick curing/drying, water resistant and safe to the water infrastructure without causing contamination.
The trailing end of the apparatus has a centring arrangement 40. As more clearly shown in Figure 2, which shows the unit in perspective view outside the pipe, this comprises a spring biased arm 42 (the spring 44 is also shown). This enables the centring arrangement to adopt a range of positions, between the (larger) expected internal diameter of the unlined pipe and the (smaller) expected internal diameter of the lined pipe.
Entry into the water main can be either by introducing a bypass system or via a pipework branch. The access points would typically be at each end of the required pipe length to be cleaned.
A bypass approach is explained with reference to Figure 3.
A bypass pipe 50 is provided between two points with a first set of valves 52. A second set of valves 54a,54b are fitted, and these are closed to divert the flow of water to the bypass pipe 50. A dry section of pipe is removed between the valves 54a,54b which are closed at that time. The bypass pipe is then carrying the live flow.
The unit 56 is positioned inside the gap within a launch chamber 58, which is attached the cut end of the pipe run at the location of the valve 54a.
The other cut end is blanked off at the location of the valve 54b. The valve 54a is opened so that the launch chamber 58 fills with water, and the lining device 56 can then be pushed into the pipework.
This method of inserting a unit (such as a camera) into the live water mains flow, making use of a bypass section, is in itself known, and will therefore not be described in further detail.
After the unit is deployed, as it moves through the pipe, the module allows a large percentage of the water flow to pass through its centre bore allowing for an uninterrupted flow through the main to the end user(s).
There can be only one lining material supply pipe, or there can be many. The flow rate of lining material determines the rate of movement of the apparatus along the pipe, and this can be controlled either by a flow control system or by a pressure control system at the supply source of the lining material. The movement of the apparatus is essentially automatic, however this can be assisted by pulling on the supply pipe or pipes. This requires the supply pipes to be inserted into the pipe run at the end, with the pipes extending in front of the apparatus. However, the pipes can equally extend behind the apparatus.
Various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (9)

  1. CLAIMS1. A pipe lining apparatus for insertion in a pipe, comprising: first and second, opposite, ends; an inner channel extending between the opposite ends providing a fluid passageway through the apparatus; an outer chamber between the opposite ends defined between the inner surface of the pipe wall and an outer surface of the pipe lining apparatus; and a supply pipe arrangement, which comprises a pressure control line for controlling the movement of the apparatus along the pipe as well as a supply line for the lining material, the supply pipe arrangement terminating at the outer chamber at one end of the outer chamber.
  2. 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner channel is defined by a tubular housing extending along a central axis of the apparatus.
  3. 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply pipe arrangement comprises a plurality of pipes distributed in an annular shape and leading tot he one end of the apparatus.
  4. 4. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outer chamber comprises a lead section and a tail section, wherein the tail section has an inner surface of constant radius and an outer surface defined by the inner surface of the pipe.
  5. 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lead section comprises a enlarged portion, having an inner surface with smaller minimum radius than the inner surface radius of the tail section.
  6. 6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the opposite end of the apparatus comprises a centring arrangement.
  7. 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the centring arrangement is spring loaded such that it can move between positions corresponding to the inner surface of the pipe before the lining is applied and the inner surface of the pipe after the lining is applied.
  8. 8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the one end of the apparatus comprises a closure for closing the one end of the outer chamber.
  9. 9. A method of lining the internal surface of a pipe, comprising: feeding a pipe lining apparatus into the pipe, the apparatus comprising first and second, opposite, ends, an inner channel extending between the opposite ends providing a fluid passageway through the apparatus and an outer chamber between the opposite ends defined between the inner surface of the pipe wall and an outer surface of the pipe lining apparatus, the method comprising: maintaining fluid flow in the pipe and providing lining material to one end of the outer chamber using a supply pipe arrangement, and using the supply of lining material to drive the apparatus along the pipe as the lining material is provided, wherein the lining material has cured sufficiently when it has been reached by the opposite end of the outer chamber to remain in place against the pipe inner wall.
GB0909884A 2009-06-09 2009-06-09 Live pipe lining pig with centre bore Expired - Fee Related GB2473594B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0909884A GB2473594B (en) 2009-06-09 2009-06-09 Live pipe lining pig with centre bore

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0909884A GB2473594B (en) 2009-06-09 2009-06-09 Live pipe lining pig with centre bore

Publications (3)

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GB0909884D0 GB0909884D0 (en) 2009-07-22
GB2473594A true GB2473594A (en) 2011-03-23
GB2473594B GB2473594B (en) 2013-09-18

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Family Applications (1)

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GB0909884A Expired - Fee Related GB2473594B (en) 2009-06-09 2009-06-09 Live pipe lining pig with centre bore

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4529008A (en) * 1982-06-11 1985-07-16 Amk Pipe Technology Limited Method of and apparatus for repairing drains and underground pipelines
US5964981A (en) * 1997-12-17 1999-10-12 Tuboscope Vetco International, Inc. Apparatus for lining tubulars
US20030159776A1 (en) * 2000-05-16 2003-08-28 Graham Neil Deryck Bray Apparatus for and method of lining passageways
US20060086400A1 (en) * 2004-10-21 2006-04-27 Mechanical Research & Design, Inc. Apparatus and method for isolating and testing a segment of pipelines
US20070017669A1 (en) * 2003-09-08 2007-01-25 Lurie Paul G Device and method of lining a wellbore

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4529008A (en) * 1982-06-11 1985-07-16 Amk Pipe Technology Limited Method of and apparatus for repairing drains and underground pipelines
US5964981A (en) * 1997-12-17 1999-10-12 Tuboscope Vetco International, Inc. Apparatus for lining tubulars
US20030159776A1 (en) * 2000-05-16 2003-08-28 Graham Neil Deryck Bray Apparatus for and method of lining passageways
US20070017669A1 (en) * 2003-09-08 2007-01-25 Lurie Paul G Device and method of lining a wellbore
US20060086400A1 (en) * 2004-10-21 2006-04-27 Mechanical Research & Design, Inc. Apparatus and method for isolating and testing a segment of pipelines

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2473594B (en) 2013-09-18
GB0909884D0 (en) 2009-07-22

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AT Applications terminated before publication under section 16(1)
S20A Reinstatement of application (sect. 20a/patents act 1977)

Free format text: REQUEST FOR REINSTATEMENT FILED

Effective date: 20110117

S20A Reinstatement of application (sect. 20a/patents act 1977)

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Effective date: 20110214

PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20170609