SK9517Y1 - Device for checking tightness of plastic pipeline - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for checking the tightness of the plastic pipeline (1) comprises an electric field source (6) connected on the one hand to a saturating positive electrode (5) which is arranged inside the controlled plastic pipeline (1) and on the other hand to a saturating negative electrode (7) which is arranged outside the controlled plastic pipeline (1). Both saturating electrodes (5, 7) are connected to a monitoring unit (4). The negative electrode (7) of the device is placed in the ground at the controlled plastic pipeline (1), while under the inspected plastic pipeline (1) a plurality of measuring electrodes (2) are arranged at regular intervals parallel to the axis of the pipeline (1), which are connected by an insulated conductor (12), which is connected to the monitoring unit (4). A measuring device (3) with a switching relay for sequentially connecting pairs of adjacent measuring electrodes (2) is arranged in the monitoring unit (4). The controlled plastic pipeline (1) of the device is multilayer with an electrically conductive inner layer (11), the saturating negative electrode (7) being connected to the electrically conductive inner layer (11).

Description

SK 9517 Υ1

Field of technology

The technical solution relates to a device for checking the tightness of plastic pipes.

Prior art

The materials from which plastic pipes are made have high impermeability and chemical resistance, yet their mechanical failures occur. Damage occurs during their production, during transport, during their installation and subsequent operation. In addition to economic and environmental damage, such damage can also have consequences for the user. Therefore, the pipes must be inspected.

A common method of control is to use a system for measuring flows and pressures. The basic physical principles for determining flow rates are the mean flow rates or the determination of the volume of the flowed liquid in a certain time interval. Fluctuations in pressures and flows in the network are a good identification factor according to which it is possible to judge a possible fault in the network.

It is possible to check for leaks and identify faults from the outside, t. j. externally or internally of the pipeline, t. j. internal. The liquid that escapes from the pipeline creates noise, sound waves. It is divided into internal and external. Internal noise are sound waves that propagate through the walls of a pipe and the fluid inside the pipe. External noise arises at the site of the leak and spreads through the soil. The speed of sound propagation and the distance to which the sound acts is significantly affected by the pipe material. The more flexible the material, the smaller the distance. As a result, the failure on the steel pipe will be better located than on the plastic pipe, which is made of a more flexible material.

Soil microphones that monitor external noise are a relatively accurate method of locating fluid leaks, but this method is time consuming. To the external methods of monitoring leaks from the outside of the pipeline, it is possible to assign methods for measuring the composition of the gas that is pumped into the pipeline.

The gas used is a mixture consisting of 5% hydrogen and 95% nitrogen and is non-flammable, non-toxic and non-corrosive (according to ISO 10156). Hydrogen is the lightest gas and has a very low viscosity, so it spreads easily. Thanks to this, it is able to penetrate concrete, paving, asphalt and it is possible to locate it relatively accurately.

The internal methods, ie the methods for monitoring leaks from inside the pipeline, include the acoustic correlation method, which works on the principle of comparing the noise detected at two points in the pipeline (hydrant, slider, etc.). Sensors are placed in these places and then the detected values are evaluated.

Internal methods also include methods in which the acoustic sensor moves directly inside the pipeline, for example in the form of a self-floating sphere (SmartBall method) or a hydrophone connected via a cable pushed by water pressure acting on a parachute connected to the front of the sensor (system Sahara '). These devices record and leak any leakage to the pipeline.

An overview of existing technologies shows that, in recent years, companies are still improving their existing equipment, but no new technology has emerged on a mass scale.

Due to the fact that plastic pipes (PEHD, PVC ...) are increasingly used, which are more flexible and therefore dampen noise faster, the use of fault location methods that work with the sound signal is less efficient.

Plastic pipes are electrically non-conductive, and therefore, if stored in a conductive environment, electrical methods can be used to locate leaks.

The aim of the technical solution is to design such a device for checking the tightness of the pipeline, which would allow to effectively detect the location of the leak.

The essence of the technical solution

This object is achieved by a device for checking the tightness of a plastic pipe according to a technical solution, the essence of which consists in a source of electric field connected on the one hand to a saturating positive electrode which is arranged inside the inspected plastic pipe and on the other hand to a saturating negative electrode which is arranged outside the inspected plastic pipe. Both saturation electrodes are connected to the monitoring unit.

The pipe leak tester allows you to effectively detect the leak location.

According to a preferred embodiment, the negative electrode is placed in the ground at the inspected plastic pipe, wherein below the inspected plastic pipe it is parallel to the axis of the pipe at regular intervals.

SK 9517 Υ1 intervals arranged a set of measuring electrodes, which are connected by an insulated conductor, which is connected to the monitoring unit, while in the monitoring unit there is arranged a measuring device with an interconnection relay for successive interconnection of pairs of adjacent measuring electrodes.

Another preferred embodiment is suitable for a multilayer plastic pipe with an electrically conductive inner layer. The saturating negative electrode is connected to the electrically conductive inner layer, the saturating positive electrode is arranged inside the inspected plastic pipe, and both saturating electrodes are connected to the monitoring unit.

Overview of figures in the drawings

The technical solution will be described in more detail with reference to the figures, which show:

fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device for checking the tightness of a plastic pipe laid underground;

fig. 2 is a diagram of the use of the device of FIG. 1 for electrokinetic decontamination in case of damage to a pipeline with contaminated liquid;

fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a device for checking the tightness of a multilayer plastic pipe having an electrically conductive inner layer.

Examples of embodiments

In FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device for checking the tightness of a plastic pipe 1 which is laid underground. The device comprises an electric field source 6, connected on the one hand to a saturating positive electrode 5, which is arranged inside the inspected plastic pipe 1, and on the other hand to a saturating negative electrode 7, which is grounded from the outside outside the inspected plastic pipe 1. Both electrodes 5, 7 are connected to a monitoring unit 4, in which a measuring device 3 with a switching relay is arranged.

Just below the inspected plastic pipe 1, a series of measuring electrodes 2 is arranged at regular intervals in the ground parallel to the axis of the pipe 1. In the described exemplary embodiment, the measuring electrodes 2 are arranged at intervals of 5 m. The placement of the measuring electrodes 2 must be regular. Smaller spacings, t. j. a larger number of measuring electrodes 2 is used in places with a higher risk of damage to the pipe 1, e.g. in areas with the possibility of landslides, landscaping, etc.

Each of the measuring electrodes 2 is connected to a monitoring unit 4 by an insulated conductor 12, with protective insulation up to 1000 V.

The saturating circuit, formed by the electric field source 6 and the pair of saturating electrodes 5, 7, generates an electric field, the magnitude and intensity of which, depending on the size and type of the pipe 1, is in the range of 1 to 1000 V and 0.1 mA to 1 A.

The pairs of adjacent measuring electrodes 2 are successively connected to the measuring circuit by means of a measuring device 3 with a switching relay in the monitoring unit 4.

The measuring device 3 with a switching relay in the monitoring unit 4 measures the distribution of electric potentials in the range of 0.1 mV to 1 V on the measuring electrodes 2 in an artificial electric field, the anomalies in the artificial electric field indicating a leak in the controlled plastic pipe 1.

In FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of the use of the device according to the technical solution for performing electrokinetic decontamination in the event of damage to the pipeline 1 with contaminated liquid.

The arrangement of the saturating electrodes 5, 7 can cause electromigration inside the pipe 1 by the action of a unidirectional electric field. Electromigration acts on contaminants in the form of positive ions 8. Positive ions 8 are attracted in the electric field by negative ions 9 against the direction of leakage of the contaminant by leakage 10 from pipe 1, and are thus retained in the damage area until pipe 1 is repaired.

In FIG. 3 schematically shows an example of the application of the device according to the technical solution to a multilayer plastic pipe 1 having an electrically conductive inner layer 11. In the described exemplary embodiment, the electrically conductive inner layer 11 is an aluminum insert. The saturating negative electrode 7 is connected to the electrically conductive inner layer 11 of the pipe 1. The saturating positive electrode 5 is immersed inside the pipe 1.

The saturating electrodes 5, 7 are connected to the electric field source 6 and to the monitoring unit 4.

If the pipe 1 is intact, then the electric current in the device is zero. In case of damage

SK 9517 Υ1 of the electrically conductive inner layer 11 of the pipe 1, a direct current begins to flow through the circuit, which the monitoring unit 4 immediately detects and sends an optical / acoustic signal. Thus, the tightness of the pipe 1 can be permanently checked independently of the environment in which the pipe 1 is located, for example in electrically non-conductive polystyrene, in air and the like.

SK 9517 Υ1

List of reference brands plastic pipe measuring electrode

3 measuring device with switching relay monitoring unit saturating positive electrode electric field source saturating negative electrode

8 positive ions negative ions leakage inner conductive layer in plastic pipe insulated conductor

Claims (3)

SK 9517 Υ1 PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS Device for checking the tightness of a plastic pipe (1), characterized in that it comprises a source (6) of electric field connected on the one hand to a saturating positive electrode (5) which is arranged inside the checked plastic pipe (1) and on the other hand to a saturating negative electrode (7) which is arranged outside the inspected plastic pipe (1), the two saturating electrodes (5, 7) being connected to the monitoring unit (4). Leak test device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the negative electrode (7) is arranged in the ground next to the inspected plastic pipe (1) and is parallel to the axis of the pipe (1) below the inspected plastic pipe (1). a plurality of measuring electrodes (2) are arranged at regular intervals, which are connected by an insulated conductor (12), which is connected to the monitoring unit (4), while in the monitoring unit (4) a measuring device (3) is arranged with a switching relay for sequentially connecting pairs. adjacent measuring electrodes (2). Leak test device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inspected plastic pipe (1) is multilayer with an electrically conductive inner layer (11), the saturating negative electrode (7) being connected to the electrically conductive inner layer (11). . 2 drawings