WO2001025152A1

WO2001025152A1 - Device and method for removing deposits and incrustations in water installations

Info

Publication number: WO2001025152A1
Application number: PCT/DE2000/003492
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dieter Thom
Original assignee: Dieter Thom
Priority date: 1999-10-06
Filing date: 2000-10-04
Publication date: 2001-04-12
Also published as: AU1992001A; DE19948405A1; KR20020039358A

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to provide a method and the corresponding device for securely and cost-effectively removing scale and rust deposits and other incrustations in water conduits and other installation components of water installations. To this end, a special exciting container (1) consisting of glass is used. A magnetron (2) is arranged on the bottom of said container. The microwaves of the magnetron radiate into the inside of the exciting container (1). A bell cap of water vapour is obtained in the upper area of the exciting container (1) by virtue of the special embodiment of a metal pipe (4) which is arranged in the upper area of the exciting container (1) and when the device is operated. Developing gas bubbles are guided into the pipe system (14) to be cleaned via the pipes (4 and 8) and cause removal of the incrustation in said system. The invention is used for cleaning clogged or partially clogged water conduits and water installations.

Description

Device and method for detaching deposits and incrustations in water systems

Device and method for detaching deposits and incrustations in water systems, in particular calcium and magnesium carbonate and iron oxide compounds in pipelines.

Deposits in water pipe systems and associated aggregates, such as B. pumps, are more or less present in all water systems and can impair the use of these systems or even lead to the destruction of the systems. Devices are therefore already being used in practice which are more or less intended to prevent the formation of deposits and incrustations. However, these mostly magnetic-based devices cannot dismantle existing coverings. So z. B. in DE 4320414 a magnetizing lance equipped with permanent magnets upstream of the suction area of a pump in order to avoid blockage of pumps and systems.

So-called limescale protection devices, which process the water in special cartridges using direct current pulses, can prevent limescale deposits.

Irradiation by means of radiation sources, as described in DE 19526792, is also already known. Here, however, a biological loosening up is prevented by the radiation.

DE 3920046 uses a pulsating water-air mixture for pipe cleaning by means of intermittent pressure surges.

However, none of these devices can remove rust and limescale deposits that are permanently deposited in water systems. They are very expensive to buy and must always be installed on the existing water systems. This means that constant maintenance is necessary. which continues to make the operation more expensive.

The invention is based on the problem of creating a method and the associated device for removing limescale and rust deposits present in existing water systems and dismantling other incrustations in the pipes and other system parts safely and inexpensively.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are, in particular, that by means of a device that is connected to the water system to be cleaned, the existing incrustations are broken down in a chemical-physical way without the addition of chemical agents. The water system can continue to be used in the operation of the device. The device is dismantled again after the cleaning work has been completed. It is therefore only used temporarily in the corresponding systems. Due to a relatively simple structure of the device, it is not expensive. So z. B. an inexpensive method for cleaning water pipes in homes or industrial plants are offered.

Advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention are specified in claims 2 to 15. In the development according to claim 2, the excitation vessel consists of glass. In the embodiment according to claim 3, the metal tube is preferably made of copper. The development according to claim 4 relates to the arrangement of a stainless steel grid on the circumference of the metal tube end of the metal tube and the arrangement of a metal antenna on the inner metal tube, both within the excitation vessel to increase the performance of the device. The further developments according to claims 5 to 7 deal with the thermal protection of the device and the monitoring of the water level in the excitation vessel, such as thermal fuses and thermal switches for protecting the excitation vessel and the individual components of the device. In the development according to claim 8, the metal antenna consists of stainless steel or precious metal. According to claim 9 is around the excitation vessel

Metal housing arranged. This shields the device from the environment, during operation of the device from the radiation emitted by the magnetron. The developments according to claims 10 and 1 1 ensures a higher pressure in the water system to be cleaned, if the operating pressure of the water system allows. By claim 1 1 is double protection. According to the development of claim 12, the device has a display for indicating the operational readiness. As a result, z. B. are displayed whether the filter of the λ ^ device is to be cleaned or due to the failure of an element of the device, the device for repair in a specialist workshop must become. The development according to claim 13 includes the individual electrical components necessary for the operation of the magnetron, such as. B. the transformer and relay, which are connected in a known manner by means of electrical lines. According to the development of claim 14, the magnetron is replaced by a powerful electromagnet.

The method according to the invention is described in claim 15. The developments of the method according to claims 16 and 17 deal with performance-favorable variants of the method and the use of the device. Thus, the device according to claim 16 operates in interval mode, i. H. the magnetron switches itself on and off automatically after a predetermined time rhythm. The effect of the cleaning effect continues even when the device is switched off. The cleaning effect is increased by increasing the pressure in the water system to be cleaned.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are described in more detail below. Show it

1 shows the basic structure of the device according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows the excitation vessel with the magnetron and its connections in section, and FIG. 3 shows the detail of the metal tube end within the excitation vessel of the device in section. The device according to the invention for detaching deposits and incrustations in water systems, in particular calcium and magnesium carbonate and iron oxide compounds in pipelines 14. Boilers 14. Water systems 14 etc., consists in a preferred variant of a glass, bottle-shaped exciter vessel 1, the bottom of which is curved inwards. A Magnetron 2 with an output of 250 W engages in this curvature. The exit opening of the microwaves of the magnetron 2 is directed towards the excitation vessel 1. The excitation vessel 1 is shielded overall by a metal housing (not shown in the drawing). The radiation of the magnetron 2 into the surroundings of the device is thus avoided. The magnetron 2 is connected to an electrical switching system 3 with a transformer, condenser, fan. Switches and fuses connected and wired. The electrical supply takes place via an external power network. The electrical wiring of the magnetron 2 with the other components, such as a transformer, etc., is carried out similarly to that of the commercially available microwaves. The individual electrical components are electrical and thermally protected. This can e.g. B. done by thermal microswitch. At the top of the excitation vessel 1, a copper tube 4 extends into the interior of the excitation vessel 1. The tube 4 is sealed to and on the excitation vessel 1.

The end of this copper tube 4 is double-walled, i.e. H. within the

Another inner copper tube 6 with a smaller diameter is arranged in the center of the copper tube end. The lower end of the inner copper tube 6 ends before the end of the outer copper tube 4. The inner copper tube 6 carries a silver antenna 7. This silver antenna 7 is attached with its ends to the inside of the inner copper tube 6 and projects with a loop over the end of the outer copper tube 4 addition. The upper end of the inner copper tube 6, ie in the direction of the top of the excitation vessel 1. has an annular, waterproof connection made of copper to the outer copper tube 4. At the end of the outer copper tube 4 there is a stainless steel grid 5 on the entire circumference. This stainless steel grid 5 can be inside or be attached to the outside of the copper pipe 4 and protrudes beyond the pipe end of the copper pipe 4.

The copper tube 4 is connected at the end outside of the excitation vessel 1 with a flexible tube 8, in the exemplary embodiment with an armored hose. This flexible pipe 8 leads via a check valve 9 and a pump 15 with also a check valve to the water system 14 to be cleaned. These two check valves provide a double security. The flexible pipe 8 is connected to the water system 14 via a valve (not shown in the drawing), pipe socket or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the copper pipe 4 has a branch to the pipe connection 10 via a pressure relief valve 11, a pressure reducer 12 and a shut-off valve 13 to a fresh water system within the excitation vessel 1. This branch on the copper pipe 4 to the pipe connection 10 can also be arranged outside the excitation vessel 1. A thermometer 20 is attached to a further branch of the pipe connection 10. Furthermore, a connecting pipe 17 with an electromagnetic valve 18 in the form of a bypass of the copper pipe 4 and the flexible pipe 8 with the check valve 9 and the pump 15 is arranged between the pipe connection 10 and the flexible pipe 8. Via this connecting pipe 17 and the pipe connection 10 to the fresh water system, the use of the to be cleaned is Water system 14 by connected consumers also possible when operating the device according to the invention.

The excitation vessel 1 advantageously has at least one fuse 16 inserted into a glass tube welded inside the excitation vessel 1 to limit a maximum working temperature of the excitation vessel 1. A level switch coupled to two contacts arranged on the excitation vessel 1 laterally below the loop of the silver antenna 7 for measuring the fill level 19 ensures that the water level within the excitation vessel 1 is kept within limits. Appropriate safety circuits prevent the device from operating without the excitation vessel 1 being filled with water.

The device can be equipped with a display on which the operational readiness of the complete device and individual components is shown. As a result, z. B. are displayed whether individual components of the device are to be cleaned or due to the failure of a component of the device, the device for repair must be given to a specialist workshop.

In a wide variety of technical water systems, the water pressure can be significantly higher than that required in the device according to the invention. For these cases, a pump 15 with a water tank is connected after the check valve 9 in order to be able to reach the operating pressure again.

The process for the removal of deposits and incrustations in water systems, such as pipes 14, boilers 14, pump systems, etc., is characterized by the following process steps. The device according to the invention is connected via the flexible pipe 8 to the pipe 14 or pipe system 14 to be cleaned. The pipe system 14 is previously emptied. Devices particularly to be protected from dissolved incrustation, such as washing machines, boilers, etc., are fitted with filters on their inflow lines. The device and the pipe system 14 to be cleaned are then filled with fresh water via the pipe connection 10, an overpressure between 0.8 and 1.8 bar being set in the device by means of the pressure reducer 12. The megatron 2 is then switched on by means of the electrical switching system 3, as a result of which the water in the excitation vessel 1 is heated and evaporated and the water in the upper region of the excitation vessel 1 by the water vapor is displaced and a water vapor bell is formed. Here already gas bubbles enter the copper pipe 4 and pass through the flexible pipe 8 into the pipe system 14 to be cleaned and begin to reduce the incrustation here when the water level in the container 1 the pipe end of the pipe 4 reached, \ now gas bubbles enter the pipe 4. Fπschwasser is automatically fed again and again into the excitation vessel 1 by means of a level switch in order to keep the water level kuiz above the pipe end or just below the pipe end of the pipe 4 Full level 19 in excitation vessel 1

As already described above, the fresh water supply for the users of the water system 14 to be cleaned is also possible via the connecting pipe 17 and the pipe connection 10 when the device is operated. When water is removed by the consumer during the cleaning process, the dissolved incrustation is simultaneously rewound from the water system 14 However, loosened incrustations are mainly reeled out by specifically draining water from the water system 14 to be cleaned

The magnetron 2 advantageously works in the interval mode, the time intervals being very variable. For example, the device can be switched off during the night. For this purpose, corresponding time measuring and switching devices are arranged in the switching system 3

Compilation of the reference symbols

1 - excitation vessel

2 - Magnetron 3 - electrical switching system

4 - metal tube

5 - stainless steel grille

6 - inner metal tube

7 - metal antenna 8 - flexible tube

9 - check valve

10 - pipe connection

1 1 - pressure relief valve

12 - pressure reducer 13 - shut-off valve

14 - pipe to be cleaned / pipe system / pipes / water system

15 - pump

16 - Thermal fuse in the excitation vessel

17 - connecting pipe 18 - solenoid valve

19 - contacts for measuring the level

20 - thermometer

Claims

claims:

1. Device for the removal of deposits and incrustations in water systems, in particular in pipelines, characterized. that below a excitation vessel (1) is a magnetron (2). connected to an electrical switching system (3) for the operation of the magnetron (2), with the exit opening of the microwaves in the direction of the exciter vessel (1), that a metal tube (4) protrudes into the exciter vessel (1) on the top, which is slotted at the end and an inner metal pipe (6) of smaller diameter is arranged in the middle of the metal pipe end, which ends inside before the end of the metal pipe (4) and thus there is a double-walled metal pipe at least in the end region of the metal pipe (4), with the upper end of the inner metal tube (6). So in the direction of the top of the excitation vessel (1), there is an annular, watertight connection to the outer metal tube (4) that the metal tube (4) outside the excitation vessel (1) by means of a flexible tube (8) via a check valve (9) with the to be cleaned water system (14) and that outside of the excitation vessel (1) or in the upper region of the excitation vessel (1) a pipe connection (10) via a pressure relief valve (11). Pressure reducer (12) and shut-off valve (13) ends in a fresh water system and that a connecting pipe (17) with an electromagnetic valve (18) is arranged between the pipe connection (10) and the flexible pipe (8).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the excitation vessel (1) is a glass vessel.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal tube (4) consists of copper.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims. characterized in that the metal tube end of the metal tube (4) within the excitation vessel (1) is surrounded on the entire circumference by a stainless steel grid (5) and the stainless steel grid (5) extends beyond the end of the metal tube (4) and the inner metal tube (6) with a metal antenna (7) is provided. the ends of the metal antenna (7) are fastened to the inside of the inner metal tube (6) and extend with a loop beyond the end of the metal tube (4).

5. Device according to one of the Λ orherenden claims, characterized in that inside and / or outside of the excitation vessel (1) sensors and sensors for monitoring the temperature during operation of the device and the level of the water level are arranged within the excitation vessel (1).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized. that one or more thermal fuses (16) are integrated in the excitation vessel (1) and / or the magnetron (2). the fan and other components of the device are protected by a thermal switch or fuse.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the excitation vessel (1) laterally below the loop of the antenna (7) has two contacts for measuring the fill level (19).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal antenna (7) consists of stainless steel or precious metal.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the excitation vessel (1) is shielded by a metal housing.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pump (15) is arranged between the water system to be cleaned (14) and the check valve (9).

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump (15) has a check valve.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized. that the device has a display for indicating the operational readiness of the individual components has.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized. that the switching system (3) on the device side of a transformer, capacitor. Fan, switch, relay, timer. Fuses and a connection to an external voltage source.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetron (2) is replaced by an electromagnet.

15. Process for the removal of deposits and incrustations in water systems, preferably in pipelines. characterized in that the device according to the invention for detaching deposits and incrustations in water systems is connected via the flexible pipe (8) to the system of a water system (14) to be cleaned, emptied and self-contained, and the device and the water system (14) to be cleaned is filled with fresh water via the pipe connection (10), an excess pressure between 0.8 and 1.8 bar being maintained, and then the device with the magnetron (2) is switched on, as a result of which the water in the excitation vessel (1) is heated and evaporated is and the water in the upper part of the excitation vessel (1) is displaced by the water vapor until the water level in the excitation vessel (1) reaches the tube end of the metal tube (4) and now gas bubbles increasingly through the metal tube (4) and the flexible tube (8 ) get into the pipe system (14) to be cleaned, whereby the water level in the exciter vessel (1) is automatically replaced by di e two contacts for measuring the fill level (19) are always held in the area of the pipe end and the device remains connected to the pipe system (14) to be cleaned until the desired cleaning effect is achieved.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the magnetron (2) operates in the interval mode.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the pressure in the water system to be cleaned (14) to the maximum permissible pressure is increased, but the pressure in the excitation vessel (1) is still left between 0.8 and 1.8 bar.