SK279859B6 - Element for sealing and monitoring a body, in particular a refuse dump - Google Patents

Abstract

An element for sealing and monitoring a body (1) comprises two seals (4, 5) separated from each other by supporting elements (6) with at least one open channel (7) between them. One or more sensors (18) are arranged at the outlet openings of the channel (7). The seals (4, 5) are connected to each other at their edges. The supporting elements (6) consist of a material which is permeable but resistant to the flow, preferably a material whose flow resistance perpendicular to the channel (7) is less than that parallel to the channel (7). The position of a leak (29) can be detected by two sensors (18) which, in a refuse dump, also determine where the leak (29) is located in the lower or the upper seal (4, 5).

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to an element for sealing and inspecting a body. It also relates to an arrangement or an array of such elements. It is mainly used for sealing and controlling waste depots.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

From Siemens Prospectus "Deponie-Langzeitiiberwachung mit LEOS", Bestell-Nr. A 19100-U653-A222, July 1990, is a known device for sealing a waste deposit as well as knowing the leakage of the leakage site. In doing so, remember that the waste disposal is provided with a water-impermeable foil, a sealing strip (mainly made of plastic) or a "seal". This seal can be arranged under the waste body (foundation seal) so that no pollutants can enter the groundwater. However, the seal may also be located above the waste body (surface seal) to prevent rain water from penetrating and thus the pollutants from being washed out. In order to identify the leak in the seal in a timely manner, the installation is provided with so-called LEOS hoses, namely on the side of the seal facing away from the waste body. The LEOS hoses, which are laid in meanadrity, are filled with air and their walls, which permeate the various substances present in the depot, are connected to a central control system. When placing a seal under a waste body, the damaged area is localized by detecting substances dissolved in the seepage water. And when placed above the waste body, the damaged spot in it is localized by detecting the exiting sludge gases.

LEOS hoses as well as devices for their operation are known from DE-PS 24 31 907. This is a hose which permits the release of pollutants. A pump is provided at the end of the hose, by means of which a single volume of medium, for example individual volumes of gas, is conveyed in succession through the hose. In this way, the hose is purged at regular time intervals, i.e. a constant purging frequency, for a long time. At the other end of the hose are sensors that are sensitive to pollutants. If a pollutant enters the vicinity of the hose, the pollutant enters the hose; this will reach the sensors the next time the medium is pumped. Since the medium flows at a known velocity, the location at which the pollutant enters the hose between the two rinses can be precisely determined from the difference between the moment of pump start and the moment of sensor response. In addition, the amount of pollutant can be determined.

If the leak in the seal does not occur directly near the LEOS hose, the effluent to be detected over a large area is split before it enters the LEOS hose. At different propagation speeds in this area, the fabric can reach the LEOS hose at several places simultaneously. Also, the substance to be detected can reach the LEOS hose at a location which is relatively far from the leakage site. Moreover, the fabric may reach a relatively large section of the hose between the two rinses and diffuse. Then it can only be stated that leakage occurs somewhere in the range of this section. The determination of the leak point may then have relatively large errors. By means of a known device, leakage in the seal cannot always be accurately located. Other seals and LEOS hoses require two working steps.

The invention is based on the basic knowledge that it makes sense to provide enhanced protection by means of a double barrier. This would be useful both for sealing foundations and for sealing the deposition surface. It is further based on the consideration that it also makes sense for the arrangement to be designed in such a way that it is possible to determine by a measuring technique whether or not the barrier has a leakage point and where the leakage point is stored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an element for sealing and inspecting a body, by means of which the location of the leakage is exactly located and the use of two barriers ensures double leakage protection. The element should be laid quickly and reliably.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an element comprising two seals spaced from one another by means of support elements, wherein at least one channel having an inlet and an outlet for the medium is arranged between the seals and the support, at least one sensor is connectable to the outlet opening such that the two seals are tightly connected to each other while leaving the inlet opening and outlet opening of the channel at their edges, and that the support elements consist of a flow-permeable material but a flow prevention.

This element provides the advantage that the substance to be detected is led to a channel in a defined manner after a leak has occurred in one of the seals. The substance does not flow around the surroundings, whose structure is unknown, but penetrates through the supporting elements to the channel. The flow resistance of the support elements or cavities in the support elements or cavities in the support elements is known and, at least in the direction of all axes of the support element, constant: the formed substance gets out of the leakage point in the seal at shortest path, namely perpendicular to the channel, into the channel. Only then does the penetrated substance reach the adjacent sites. In the period between the occurrence of the leak and the subsequent flushing, a distribution of the substance with a maximum is formed in the channel, indicating the leak point during flushing and detection. With a low flow resistance of the support element, the time differences between the penetration of the straight path and the slightly longer path are very small. Then, in the period between the occurrence of the leak and the subsequent flushing in the channel, a broad, flat distribution of the substance, the maximum of which cannot be known, could be created. However, in that according to the invention the support elements consist of a flow-inhibiting material, the penetrated substance moves in the support element so slowly that the time difference of penetration at different points of the channel even at a small path difference is measurably large. In the time period between leakage and subsequent rinsing, at a predetermined flushing frequency, only a narrow steep distribution of the substances can be formed in the channel, the maximum of which can be well known by the sensor. Consequently, it is easy to determine at which point the substance first reached the channel. The leak must then lie on a line perpendicular to that point in the channel.

Only a sensor for a particular substance may be provided or sensors for different substances may be used.

SK 279859 Β6

By means of the element according to the invention, a leak in the seal can be well located.

By means of a rigid joint of the gasket and channels, the element according to the invention can be positioned quickly in only one working step.

If different substances can be expected under the placed element and above the placed element, depending on the type of substance detected, it can be deduced whether the leak is in the upper or lower gasket. The type of substance is detected using suitable sensors. For example, an element according to the invention may seal the waste deposition. Then a leak in the upper seal facing away from the depot body could be inferred from the ingress and almost pure water.

For example, the channel may be formed by a permeable hose. A hose known from DE 24 31 907 may be suitable.

According to another embodiment, the channel in the element of adjacent support elements may be permeable diffusion layers. Then no hose is required.

The hose may be surrounded by filler material. As a filler material or as a component of the support elements, a drying agent may be used to remove residual moisture in the element. This can improve the accuracy of the measurement of moisture entering the leak. For example, a moisture sensor is used to determine water ingress.

According to a further embodiment, the support elements have a lower flow resistance perpendicular to the channel than in a direction parallel to the channel. Thus, the advantage can be achieved that the substance which has been leaked into the support element by a leak in the seal extends instead of being circular, elliptical. The large axis of the ellipse is oriented perpendicular to the channel. Consequently, an even steeper, steeper distribution of the substance is achieved in the channel than with the use of a homogeneous flow-inhibiting material as a support element, a material which permits the same flow velocity in all directions. Thereby it is also possible to determine a more precise location of the leak.

The material of the support elements, which has a lower flow resistance perpendicular to the channel than in the horizontal direction of the channel, can be, for example, a perpendicularly channel-oriented fabric. However, the material of the support elements can also be formed from perpendicular channel-oriented capillaries, tubes or the like.

The two seals can be tightly connected to each other at the ends of the channel, but also where no channels terminate, by the push-fit profile pieces. Such profile pieces are easy to operate. However, both seals can also be welded together.

The inlet and outlet for the medium flowing through the channel can be connected to each other to form a circuit. The sensor and pump are then arranged in the circuit. Unless there is a leak, the medium flowing through the channels may not be continuously renewed.

For example, the circuit has a closable feed opening and a closable discharge opening. The circuit should be fully or partially closed between the drain hole and the power hole. If necessary, the medium can then be fed and withdrawn. The circuit may be interrupted so that the entire feed medium can be drained again. Instead, with a partially closed connection between the inlet and the inlet, only part of the medium in the circuit can be replaced.

For example, a filter is then provided in the inlet or bypass of the inlet to remove substances that have leaked into the circuit. Such a filter may be a catalytic filter. Especially when the filter is arranged in a by-pass, the filter can be replaced or cleaned without affecting the integrity of the circuit. In certain circumstances, the substances that are removed by means of a filter are purified. For this purpose, the filter can be connected to a cleaning device and a sensor to allow a sensitive integral measurement.

In addition to the immediate determination of the ingress of pollutants by the sensor, the introduction of pollutants between the two filter changes can also be detected in the manner described. In the event of a sensor failure, at least it is possible to determine whether there is a leak between the two filter changes.

To clean the filter from retained substances, the filter may be provided with heating. This heating serves to release the retained substances by heating. The filter can also be supplied with water vapor or water. In this way, the substances retained in the filter can be released again.

Advantageously, a plurality of said sealing and inspection elements may be tightly joined together to form a field. In this case, the channel outlet opening of one element is connected to the channel outlet opening of the other element. Such an arrangement achieves the advantage that no large, large cover element, which is laboriously transported and difficult to handle, is required to seal a large area, such as a waste deposit. This has the advantage that a simple field can be created from individual easy-to-operate elements by a simple means, which can fulfill the task of a very large element for sealing and checking the body.

For example, adjacent elements may be welded together to form an array. But they can also connect in other ways. For example, the profile piece which is arranged on the edge of the element and secures the two seals of the element may also have a device for fastening the seal of the adjacent element. Thus, only the sealing profile piece is located between two adjacent elements. A weld seam may then be required to ensure a particularly tight connection.

The channels of adjacent elements may be connected to one another, for example by a plug connection. However, other types of connection may also be used, such as by welding.

Individual elements can be merged to create an array so that only one channel passes through the array and goes through the meander field. Then the entire field has only an inlet and outlet and needs only one common sensor for all elements, which can also be designed as a double sensor, for example for water and methane gas.

The element according to the invention achieves the advantage that the leak is caught by one of its seals and can be accurately located. In addition, by detecting it, it is possible to know what substance has entered, whether the detected substance is getting out of the controlled volume outside. This requires sensors for different substances or more sensors for different substances, for example pollutants or gases or methane gas and for water.

Overview of the figures in the drawing

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The drawings are described in more detail below. FIG. show:

Fig. 1 shows a waste deposition sealed up and down, wherein the flexible field is made up of sealing elements and control elements; FIG. 2 shows a section through an element according to the invention, FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of an element according to the invention, FIG. 4 shows a device with channels for connecting two elements in a view rotated from FIG. 2 by 90 DEG, FIG. 5 shows a connection without channeling between two adjacent elements, FIG. 6 shows a multi-element array with a respective device for operation, and FIG. 7 shows an anti-flow course starting from a leak location in one element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to FIG. 1, the waste deposition is sealed by the deposition body 1 upwards and downwards by a device according to the invention. This device comprises an upper field F1 and a lower field F2 of controllable double seals, hereinafter referred to as 'elements' 2. These elements 2, each having two parallel longitudinal channels, are now connected together at the coupling points 50. By means of the upper field F1 the ingress of water from the top of the waste body 1 and the exit of the gas from the depot from the waste body 1 upwards are controlled, and the corresponding leak location is located. By means of the lower field F2, the outlet of the gases from the depot from the waste body 1 is controlled downwards and the ingress of moisture from the bottom upwards into the waste body 1, and the corresponding leakage is indicated. Both fields F1, F2 include, as will be seen later, two gas and moisture barriers. The controlled upper field F1 is overlaid with soil and the controlled field F2 is placed on a mineralogical sealing layer.

According to FIG. 2, the element 2 consists of a lower seal 4 and an upper seal 5. The two impermeable films, sealing strips, covers or seals 4 and 5, which consist, for example, of polyethylene or other plastic, are separated from each other by supporting elements 6. Between seals 4 and 5 and the opaque elements 6 are a channel 7 which penetrates the element 2 perpendicular to the drawing, leaving it free. It is also possible to arrange two channels 7 (cf. FIG. 1) or more channels 7. Except for the inlet and outlet openings of the channel 7, the element 2 is tightly closed at all edges, for example by the upper seal 5 with the lower seal. 4 welded. The weld joint is indicated by the reference numeral 45. In channel 7, according to FIG. 2, there is a permeable hose 8 which corresponds to the hollow pipe according to DE 24 31 907. In particular, it is a LEOS hose. This can well transport gas and water vapor over longer distances. The hose 8 is surrounded by a filler 8a, for example sand or a drying agent.

The support elements 6 consist of a flow-permeable material but a flow-inhibiting material. By this is meant a material that does not lead to too rapid, but not too slow, the spread of water vapor and / or depot gas. The support elements 6 may also consist of a material which has a lower flow resistance perpendicular to the channel 7 than parallel to the channel 7. Such a material may be a woven fabric. The material can also be formed from parallel running capillaries or tubes that are oriented perpendicular to the channel. It may consist, for example, of polyethylene or other plastic. The filler material 8a is a material that retains moisture. However, the filler material 8a is not absolutely necessary.

The width b of the elements 2 according to FIG. 2 can be, for example, three to five meters. For example, its length may be 50 meters.

Such belts are flexible and can be relatively easily laid and then joined together.

According to FIG. 3, the hose in channel 7 can also be omitted. Then the channel 7 is separated from the adjacent support elements 6 by permeable diffusion layers or diffusing walls 9. The channel 7 corresponds to the hollow pipes according to DE 24 31 907. The walls 9 can in principle also be omitted.

According to FIG. 4, the two seals 4 and 5 of the first element 2A at their right edge are connected to each other by a push-on profile piece 10 interrupted in the means. The profile piece 10 serves at the same time to fasten the seals 4 and 5 of the adjacent second element 2B of the same kind. The profile piece 10 thus joins together the left edges of the seals 4 and 5. Thus, the elements 2A, 2B are also joined together at the connection point 40. In this way, a plurality of elements may be combined in the form of an array or array module. To connect the ducts 7 or the hoses 8 of the two elements 2A and 2B to be connected, the profile piece 10 has an insertion opening 11. There is a fixed sleeve 12. This is rigidly formed in the insertion opening 11. They can be connected to the sleeve 12 on both sides In this way, the outlet opening 8B of the channel 7 of the left element 2A is connected to the inlet opening 8B of the channel 7 of the right element 2B. Media such as air can now only flow by intermittent suction or by applying pressure from left to right, as indicated by the arrows. In the construction shown in FIG. 4, sealing seams 14 are required for sealing up and down.

Where no joint is required between adjacent channels 7, adjacent elements 2 at the joint 50 can also be joined by a simple weld seam 52 or coupled as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 thus shows such a weld joint between adjacent elements 2A, 2B except for the channel design. Instead of the weld seam 52 directly at the joint point of the seals 4 and 5, the joint point 50 can also be formed by an overlay plate 54 which is sealed to the two adjacent elements 2A and 2B at the end. The weld seams required for this are indicated by the reference numeral 56. Instead, it is also possible to use a profile piece 10 without a plug-in opening 11 (not shown).

According to FIG. 6, it is possible to select an arrangement in which the elements 2 are connected together to form an array F. The channels 7 are guided meanderingly through the field F. To this end, U-shaped joints 16 are required for the rows of elements 2A, 2B.

In principle, the channels 7 can be arranged in each element 2A, 2B meanderingly. The ducts 7 are part of a circuit for a suitable medium, such as dry air.

A pump 17 and one or more detectors or sensors 18 per substance to be detected are arranged in the circuit. With several sensors 18, these different substances are detected. It is advantageous - as shown - to arrange two sensors 18 which are, for example, connected in series. One of the sensors 18 indicates gas (depot gas, especially methane gas), the other sensor 18 indicates humidity (water). In addition, a pressure gauge 19, a flow meter 20 and a safety valve 21, as well as a pressure maintenance device 22, may be present.

The medium is routed at regular intervals in the elements 2A, 2B (intermittent operation), as is known from DE patent 24 31 907. In this case, it is pumped for a certain period of time and then, for some time, waiting for the material to possibly accumulate by diffusion in the channel 7 of the damaged element 2A, 2B. In a leak in one of the elements 2A, 2B, the substance that has penetrated is detected at the next pumping phase in the dual sensor 18. For example, the circuit has an air inlet 23 and an air outlet 24 provided with valves 23a and 23b, respectively. Between the inlet 23 and the outlet 24, the circuit may be partially or completely closed by another valve 25. Thus, a closed circuit, a partially open circuit or an open circuit is available. The pump 17 may be arranged instead of a pressure pump downstream of the inlet 33, as well as an intake pump 17a upstream of the inlet 34. A filter 26 is arranged in the bypass for cleaning the medium in the circuit. The filter 26 may be a mechanical filter based on absorption sieve, coal filter, silica gel, etc.) or a filter that operates with catalytic combustion. This filter 26 may be separated into the circuit by the fittings 26a, 26b, 26c for cleaning. For cleaning, a heating 27 is arranged on the filter 26. Separated substances are discharged via a flushing line 28 or other sensors for integral measurement. The flushing line 28 can also supply hot water or steam to expel the substances to be further indicated.

Since the medium is guided through the circuit at fixed time intervals (flushing), it can be inferred from the point of detection of the substance in the sensor 18 to a leak location in the element 2A, 2B. In a leak in the seal 4 or 5 of the element 2A or 2, the substance which has penetrated reaches the channel 7 after some time and from there it is transported with the medium to the sensor 18. In addition, two sensors 18 can detect whether it is lower or upper seal 4 or 5 of element 2 defective. Depending on the type of substance entering (for example, gas or water), it may be found that it has to come from the top or bottom.

Fig. 7 shows that on the basis of the support elements 6 consisting of the flow restraint material, the infiltrating substance expands slowly from the leak point 29 circularly (compare circle a) and evenly. This ensures that the substance that has penetrated at the leak point 29 reaches channel 7 first in the shortest way, i.e. perpendicular to the channel

7. In addition, it is guaranteed that between the occurrence of the leak and the future flushing of the channel 7, the fabric occupies only a small section of the channel 7. In the channel 7, the fabric 30 is distributed just before the next flushing, as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, K is the concentration of the substance in channel 7 and z instead of in channel 7. This distribution K (z) reaches a single or double sensor 18 (FIG. 6). There, the relatively wide distribution 30 can only ascertain relatively accurately the maximum and thus the leak location. Accuracy can be increased when the material of the support elements 6 has a lower flow resistance perpendicular to the channel 7 than parallel to the channel 7. Thereafter, the substance which has entered the leak point 29 extends in the form of an ellipse (cf. ellipse b) perpendicular to channel 7. It follows that in the period between the occurrence of the leak and the subsequent rinsing of the channel 7, the substance reaches and travels only a relatively small partial path of the channel 7. Directly before the next rinsing, a distribution 31 with a sharp maximum is formed. This can be more accurately determined in the sensor 18 (FIG. 6). The leak location can be determined with the same accuracy.

By means of the element 2 according to the invention it is possible to determine very precisely the location of the leak (or more leaks) in the seal 4, 5. Depending on the composition of the medium which has penetrated, it can also be determined whether the leak occurs in the upper seal 5 or in the lower seal 4. In the channel 7, the point that lies nearest the leak can be determined.

Claims (22)

PATENT CLAIMS J. Body sealing and inspection element, characterized in that the two seals (4, 5) are spaced apart by support elements (6), wherein at least one of the seals (4, 5) and the support elements (6) is formed. a duct (7) having an inlet port and an outlet port for the medium, wherein at least one sensor (18) is connectable to the outlet port, the two seals (4, 5) being closely connected to one another at their edges while leaving the inlet port and outlet port of the opening of the channel (7), and the support elements (6) are of a flow-permeable material but a flow-preventable material. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel (7) is separated from the adjacent support elements (6) by permeable diffusion layers (9). An element according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel (7) is formed by or comprises a permeable hose (8). An element according to claim 4, characterized in that the hose (8) is surrounded by a filler material (8a). Element according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support elements (6) have a lower flow resistance perpendicular to the channel (7) than parallel to the channel (7). The element according to claim 5, characterized in that the material of the support elements (6) is a perpendicularly oriented fabric (7). Element according to claim 5, characterized in that the material of the support elements (6) is formed of capillaries or tubes oriented perpendicular to the channel (7). Element according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the two seals (4, 5) are joined together at the edge by a profile piece (10). Element according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the inlet port and the outlet port for the medium are connected together to form a circuit and a sensor (18) and a pump (17, 17a) are arranged in the circuit. The element according to claim 9, characterized in that the circuit has a closable inlet (23) and a closable outlet (24), and the circuit between the inlet (23) and the outlet (24) is completely or partially closable. Element according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a guide (33, 34) which is connected to the inlet or outlet opening or by-pass to the guide (33, 34) is arranged filter (26) for trapping pollutants. Element according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter (26) is a catalytic filter. Element according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the filter (26) is detachable from the conduit (33, 34) and is preferably connectable to a cleaning device and a sensor for measuring the substances separated during cleaning. Element according to claim 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the filter (26) is provided with heating (27). Element according to one of Claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the filter (26) is filled with water vapor or water. Element according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that two sensors (18) are provided, one sensor (18) which reacts to gas and the other to moisture. Element according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it is closely connected to at least one other element (2) and forms an array (F1, F2, F). Element according to claim 17, characterized in that the outlet opening of the channel (7) of one element (2) is connected to the inlet opening of the channel (7) of the other element (2). Element according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the adjacent elements (2) are closed together at the weld locations (14, 52, 56). Element according to one of claims 17, 18 or 19, characterized in that the channels (7) of adjacent elements (2) are connected together by plug connections. Element according to one of Claims 17 to 20, characterized in that in the field (F1, F2, F) the channels (7) are arranged in a meandering manner. Element according to one of Claims 1 to 20, characterized in that a pump (17, 17a) is connected to the inlet opening or outlet opening, which operates intermittently, so that at pumping intervals a substance from the environment can enter the channel (7). .