GB400363A - An improved method of and means for conditioning or reconditioning pipelines and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

The internal surface of a pipe is coated with paint, bitumen, &c. by spraying or squirting the material on to the surface from a device progressively passed through the pipe. The process may be applied to a laid pipe line in situ, and form part of a process for reconditioning the pipe line by first passing a scraper there-through, flushing out with water with or without subsequent drying by forcing a current of air through the pipe and then applying the spraying or squirting device. In cleaning pipes in situ, a section thereof is isolated preparatory to the insertion therein of a scraper comprising a spindle 71, Fig. 1, carrying spider <PICT:0400363/III/1> <PICT:0400363/III/2> <PICT:0400363/III/3> <PICT:0400363/III/4> displace and rotate the scraper as water is applied to a funnel 70 at its rear end. A wire brush may be used to complete the loosening of the encrustation in the pipe before the loosened material is removed by flushing. The pipe is then dried and lined with bitumen by apparatus mounted on a trolley 4, Fig. 5. A countershaft 9, driven by a motor 5, drives alternatively a compressor 19 supplying air to a storage container 20 or a fan 6 adapted to blow air through a conduit 7 and nozzle 8 into the pipe section 1 to be dried. The pipe is introduced through one of two hatch boxes 2, 3. After completion of the drying operation, a sprayer 33 connected by a pipe 34 to a bitumen container 32 is drawn through pipe from the hatch 2 to the hatch 3 ready to be drawn the arms 72 in the end of which are scraper blades 73 thrust outwards by springs (not shown). The ends of the blades 73 are curved to facilitate insertion in the pipe through which the scraper is pushed by a telescopic arm mounted on a travelling carriage, the arm being rotated by a motor thereon. Alternatively, a turbine motor, comprising fixed and movable vanes 64, 62, Fig. 4, in a shell 63 and spring arms 68, 69 which keep it central in the pipe, may both opposite way by a rope 36 and winch 30. The container 32 is provided with an inlet for compressed air supplied by the storage container 20, through a pipe 35 connected with a hose 26. The pipe 34 leads to a nozzle 52, Fig. 10, in the sprayer which is supplied with compressed air through a passage 50 connected to the pipe 35, the mixture passing through radial passages 58 to rotary spraying arms 56.