WO2004053372A2 - Systeme de renovation de canalisation, et procede - Google Patents

Systeme de renovation de canalisation, et procede Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004053372A2
WO2004053372A2 PCT/US2003/038211 US0338211W WO2004053372A2 WO 2004053372 A2 WO2004053372 A2 WO 2004053372A2 US 0338211 W US0338211 W US 0338211W WO 2004053372 A2 WO2004053372 A2 WO 2004053372A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pipe
port
flow rate
gas
mixture
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2003/038211
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2004053372A3 (fr
Inventor
Joerg Kruse
Original Assignee
Joerg Kruse
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
Priority claimed from US10/316,255 external-priority patent/US6739950B1/en
Application filed by Joerg Kruse filed Critical Joerg Kruse
Priority to AU2003293220A priority Critical patent/AU2003293220A1/en
Publication of WO2004053372A2 publication Critical patent/WO2004053372A2/fr
Publication of WO2004053372A3 publication Critical patent/WO2004053372A3/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/02—Cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes
    • B08B9/027—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages
    • B08B9/04—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes
    • B08B9/053—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction
    • B08B9/057—Cleaning the internal surfaces; Removal of blockages using cleaning devices introduced into and moved along the pipes moved along the pipes by a fluid, e.g. by fluid pressure or by suction the cleaning devices being entrained discrete elements, e.g. balls, grinding elements, brushes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05D7/00—Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials
    • B05D7/22—Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials to internal surfaces, e.g. of tubes
    • B05D7/222—Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials to internal surfaces, e.g. of tubes of pipes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
    • B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
    • B24C3/00—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants
    • B24C3/32—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants designed for abrasive blasting of particular work, e.g. the internal surfaces of cylinder blocks
    • B24C3/325—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants designed for abrasive blasting of particular work, e.g. the internal surfaces of cylinder blocks for internal surfaces, e.g. of tubes
    • B24C3/327—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants designed for abrasive blasting of particular work, e.g. the internal surfaces of cylinder blocks for internal surfaces, e.g. of tubes by an axially-moving flow of abrasive particles without passing a blast gun, impeller or the like along the internal surface
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B7/00—Water main or service pipe systems
    • E03B7/006—Arrangements or methods for cleaning or refurbishing water conduits

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system and method for renovating pipes by removing accretions or build up in the pipes and then coating the pipes with a coating material.
  • a pipe renovating method which comprises the steps of: supplying a flow of pressurized gas and abrasive material to a selected pipe inlet; connecting a discharge end of the pipe to a vacuum, whereby the gas and abrasive material is pumped in at the inlet end and sucked out at the discharge end; and the vacuum flow rate at the discharge end being higher than the gas input flow rate at the pipe inlet whereby the pressurized gas and abrasive material will be steered from the selected pipe inlet to the discharge end of the pipe.
  • the pressurized gas and abrasive material can be successively connected to a series of different inlets to a pipe system, with the vacuum connected to an outlet or discharge end, and the higher suction will tend to steer the gas and abrasive material along the desired section of pipe to be cleaned.
  • the ratio of the vacuum or suction flow rate at the discharge end to the inlet flow rate is of the order of 20:80 push to pull, or 80% vacuum or suction flow rate to 20% inlet flow rate. However, the ratio may be in the range from 10:90 to 40:60.
  • the inlet end of the pipe is connected to a compressor and a supply of abrasive material, while the outlet end is connected to a vacuum pump.
  • a compressor and a supply of abrasive material while the outlet end is connected to a vacuum pump.
  • This has the advantage that increased gas flow is achieved by the combination of pressure at one end of the pipe and vacuum at the other, reducing the risk of blockages and eliminating or reducing the problem of loss of pressure at bends or elbows in the pipe, since the gas is being pulled through such obstructions by the vacuum even though pressure will be lost.
  • the combination of blowing in air or other gas at one end of the pipe and sucking out the gas or air at a higher rate at the other end of the pipe may be known as vacuum acceleration and steering.
  • the particles and gas can still be transported at high speed throughout the entire pipe or pipe system.
  • the higher flow rate at the discharge end will help to steer the gas and abrasive particle mixture in the correct direction, avoiding or reducing loss of pressure as a result of gas tending flow in both directions at a T- junction, for example, which may occur if the inlet flow rate is the same as the outlet flow rate at the vacuum end.
  • the pipe may be dried prior to the abrasive treatment, by blowing heated air through the pipe.
  • a coating material may be applied to the surface of the pipe after cleaning in a similar manner, simply by replacing the supply of abrasive material with a supply of coating material.
  • the coating material is then conveyed through the pipe by blowing it in at one end and sucking it out at the other end, with the same ratio of inlet:discharge flow rates.
  • the pipe may be heated again after the cleaning is complete and prior to applying coating material, in order to improve the flow characteristics of the liquid coating.
  • the combination of pressure at the intake end with vacuum applied at the discharge end applies a high air or gas volume and speed, transporting the coating material, such as epoxy, through the pipe quickly and evenly.
  • a system for renovating of pipes which comprises a supply of pressurized gas for connection to a first end of a pipe, a supply of abrasive paniculate material for supplying to the first end of the pipe together with the pressurized gas, and a vacuum pump for connection to a second end of the pipe, whereby the abrasive material is blown into the pipe at one end and sucked out of the pipe at the other end, with the vacuum flow rate at the second end being greater than the inlet flow rate.
  • An air heater may also be connected between the gas supply and first end of the pipe, and a coating material supply may be provided to replace the abrasive material supply when the pipe has been sufficiently cleaned, so as to coat the interior of the cleaned pipe with a layer of coating material such as epoxy.
  • a filter is provided at the second end of the pipe for filtering the separated accretions from the pipe from the abrasive material.
  • the pipe renovating system and method of this invention allows pipe systems to be cleaned and coated more effectively than in the past, and also-allows pipes of much larger diameter to be cleaned and coated.
  • the combination of push at one end and pull at the other end of the pipe will reduce the effect of fall off of pressure half way along the pipe or at bends or elbows, and will move a larger volume of air at a higher speed through the pipe than would be possible by application of pressure or vacuum alone.
  • the differential flow rate between the selected inlet and the discharge end will steer the gas and abrasive particle or coating material in the correct direction, and allow a lower overall pressure to be used in the system, which is safer.
  • This system and method will clean and coat pipes more reliably and uniformly, and reduce the risk of blockages or pipe blow outs.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the pipe cleaning stage of the method according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the subsequent, pipe coating stage
  • Figure 3 is a cross-section through part of a pipe wall at a junction illustrating the application of a first layer of a coating material
  • Figure 4 is a cross-section similar to Figure 3 illustrating application of a second layer of coating material
  • Figure 5 is a block diagram of a pipe system being cleaned according to a prior art method using only a supply of compressed air
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the steering technique of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Figures 1 to 4 and 6 of the drawings illustrate a system and method for renovating pipes according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the method may be used for renovating pipes in any type of pipe system, including water pipes, gas pipes, sewer pipes, oil pipes, pipes in chemical plants, pipe systems on ships and other vessels, air conditioning pipes, storm drain systems, fire sprinkler systems, and the like. This will prolong the lifetime of a pipe system and reduce or avoid the expense of replacing all or part of a pipe system.
  • Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a simplified view of part 10 of a pipe system to be renovated. It will be understood that a typical pipe system will include joints, bends, elbows, connections, and the like, which are not illustrated in the drawing.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the pipe cleaning stage of the method, while Figure 2 illustrates the pipe coating stage.
  • the system as illustrated in Figure 1 basically comprises a compressor 12 for providing a supply of air under pressure to a first intake or selected part 14 of the pipe system 10, and a vacuum pump 15 connected to a selected second port 16 of pipe system 10.
  • the pipe system in Figure 1 is a simplified system for illustration purposes only, and that a typical pipe system will be much more complex, with more pipe fittings, elbows and junctions.
  • An air heater 18 is connected to the outlet of the compressor 12, and a particle mixer or revive machine 20 is connected via a valve 22 to a first outlet 24 of the machine 18.
  • Machine 20 has an inlet 25 for receiving sand-blasting material or abrasive granulate material, such as a chemically inert non- metallic mineral, emery, quartz, sand, glass, metal particles, or the like.
  • the outlet of machine 20 is connected via valve 26 to the intake 14, in the condition illustrated in Figure 1 .
  • the air heater 18 also has outlets 28,29,30 connected via lines 32,34,35, respectively, directly to three different intakes 14, 36,38 of the pipe system part 10, with valves 40,42, 44 controlling the connection of the respective heater outlet to the pipe system intake, as discussed in more detail below.
  • Valves 45,46 in lines 34,35 allow the pressurized air and granulate material from machine 20 to be selectively supplied to the other two intakes 36,38 of this part of the pipe system. It will be understood that a greater or lesser number of lines and valves will be used if the pipe system has more or less ports or intakes to which fixtures or armatures are connected. Alternatively, in a simpler arrangement, a single connecting hose connected to the particle mixer outlet may be successively connected to a series of different intakes or ports in a pipe system.
  • a separate pressure control manometer (PCM) 48 is connected to each of the connecting lines or hoses 32,34,35, and each PCM is connected to a control input of compressor 12 via control line 49, such that the compressor is automatically shut down if the pressure detected exceeds a predetermined safety level.
  • a separate thermometer with thermostat (T/T) 50 is also connected to each of the hoses 32,34,35 to detect the temperature at that point in the hose, just prior to the respective intake 14, 36, 38. Each thermostat 50 is connected by a control cable 52 to a heater control unit 54, which in turn controls the operation of the air heater 18.
  • a thermometer 55 is also connected to the hose 56 at the outlet end.
  • Vacuum pump 15 has an inlet filter 58 for filtering particles above a certain size from the mixture flowing out of outlet 16.
  • the armatures and/or fixtures connected to part of the pipe system are first disassembled, and the pipe cleaning system is then connected to opposite ends of part of the pipe system as indicated in Figure 1.
  • the pipe system and incrustations are dried by heating with heated air from the air heater 18. This is done by closing valves 22 and 26, and opening valves 40,42,44 so that heated air is blown through each of the pipe intakes 14,26,38 and through the pipe system 10 to the outlet end 16. Heated air will be blown in through each pipe intake, and will be pulled out by the vacuum pump 15.
  • the pipe system is dried with dehumidified, pre-clarified air, at a temperature of between 50° C and 120° C above the surrounding ambient temperature.
  • valve 40 is closed, and valves 22 and 26 are opened, so that pressurized air carrying the abrasive, sand blasting material particles is blown into the intake 14.
  • heated air may also be blown in to intakes 36 and 38 via lines 34,35, to prevent any back flow of the abrasive particles.
  • the vacuum pump 15 operates simultaneously to pull the air and particles through the pipe part 10. By blowing in air at the intake side and simultaneously applying a vacuum at the outlet or suction side to suck air out at the outlet side, the pressure at each end of the pipe does not have to be as high as would be necessary if vacuum alone or a pressure drop at one end only of the pipe were applied, for example as illustrated schematically in Figure 5. In this prior art arrangement, a very high pressure will be needed to blow the compressed air and abrasive, or compressed air and coating material, through a selected pipe section.
  • the "push and pull" method is a vacuum acceleration technique, and reduces the drop off in pressure which would otherwise be encountered at pipe fittings, bends, elbows, or partial blockages of the pipe.
  • the air volume is blown in at one end at a high velocity and flow rate, and sucked out at the other end at a higher flow rate, which tends to steer the abrasive particle mixture in the desired direction.
  • the pressure at both the intake side and the outlet side can be far below the maximum safety level, such as 15 PSI, while still acting to transport the air and abrasive particles at very high speed.
  • the pressure control monitors will operate to automatically open a pressure relief valve if the pressure exceeds 15 PSI (or any other preset safety level, depending on the pipe system).
  • the abrasive particles blown through the pipe will hit the inner wall of the pipe at high velocity, tending to loosen and strip off any accretions or incrustations which have built up on the pipe surface. Not only are the accretions removed, but the high velocity, high volume of air will tend to heat up the pipe.
  • the abrasive material used may be any kind of airborne particles which are harder than the inside accretions to be removed.
  • the particles In the case of water pipes, the particles must be of a mineral that poses no health risks and is approved for use in water pipes. In this case, the particles will have a grain diameter in the range from #5 mesh to #250 mesh (U.S. standard sieves).
  • Suitable particles include chemically inert, non-metallic minerals, emery, quartz sand, or metal particles, particularly ferromagnetic particles.
  • the abrasive material used was Emerald Creek Garnet, produced by Emerald Creek Garnet Co. of Idaho, U.S.A.
  • a vacuum pump 15 can be connected to the main inlet pipe of the sprinkler system, which acts as the "discharge end" of the pipe cleaning and coating system during the cleaning and coating process. All the sprinkler outlets are opened, and the compressor 12 (and abrasive material) is connected in turn to each sprinkler outlet (or cleaning system inlet 80,82,84), starting at the location closet to vacuum pump 15.
  • the ratio of supply flow rate to vacuum flow rate in the exemplary embodiment is 20% to 80%, this ratio may be varied while still producing the desired steering effect. In practice, ratios from 5%:95% up to 40%:60% may be used effectively, with the optimum range being from 10%:90% up to 30%:70%.
  • the compressor is simply connected by a hose to the next sprinkler outlet 84 or other pipe system port, and the procedure is repeated to clean the part of the pipe between outlet 84 and the cleaning system discharge outlet.
  • the compressor can be simply moved from sprinkler to sprinkler and room to room throughout the building, cleaning each part of the pipe system in turn. All that is needed is one hose to connect the compressor and particle mixer to the selected sprinkler outlet, and one hose to connect the main inlet pipe of the sprinkler system to the vacuum pump.
  • the system of this invention provides an inexpensive method to clean such pipes, avoiding the need for relatively frequent replacement.
  • the same principle can be used to clean a sewer pipe system, moving from pipe inlet to pipe inlet in turn to clean successive lengths of sewer pipe.
  • Other types of pipe system can be cleaned in a similar manner, using the differential ratio of vacuum to supply in order to steer the gas and abrasive particle mixture through the desired section of pipe.
  • the filter built in to the vacuum pump at the outlet end will remove the grit or sand blasting materials from the air, so that the material may be re-used.
  • the abrasive particles will tend to spiral around the pipe as the air is blown through the pipe, such that they are blown onto the wall and will tend to strip of accretions or deposits which have built up inside the pipe.
  • the compressor air flow rate should be set at around 3 CFM while the vacuum flow rate should be around 12 CFM. Similar ratios can be determined readily for different desired flow rates, depending on pipe diameters. Although the range in pipe diameters in the table above is from 0.5 to 8 inches, the system can in practice be used to clean pipes up to 20 inches in diameter. The push and pull system makes it possible to clean even very large diameter pipes effectively, where the only option before was a very expensive replacement of pipe sections or the entire pipe system. A ratio of 20% push to 80% pull will be effective for all pipe diameters.
  • the dust and removed ' incrustations resulting from the cleaning are segregated in the vacuum filter collection unit.
  • the compressor and vacuum pump are turned off, and an endoscope or profile plate test may be used to ensure that the pipe has been sufficiently cleaned.
  • the pipe must be scaled to a coarse granulate roughness height in the range from 40-50 ⁇ m or 2-3 mils, in order to guarantee a good mechanical adhesion of the plastic in the pipe. Surface roughness is measured both at the intake and the outlet end of the pipe. If the test shows that the incrustations are still at a greater height than is recommended, abrasive particles and air are again blown through the pipe from one end and pulled from the other end by the vacuum pump until the desired surface smoothness is reached.
  • the outlet of the particle mixer or sand blasting machine 20 is disconnected from valve 26 and connected to inlet valve or tap 45 of the hose 34. The procedure is repeated in order to clean the portion of the pipe extehding from intake 36. Once this portion of the pipe is sufficiently clean, the outlet of the sand blasting machine 20 is disconnected from inlet valve 45 and connected to the inlet valve 46 of hose 35, and air and abrasive particles are blown into intake 38 and sucked out of the pipe system at outlet 16. This procedure is repeated for all pipe sections on a given floor or at a given level in a building, for example. The steering provided in this method avoids loss in air volume due to back flow at junctions in the pipe system, since it will always steer the air mixture towards the vacuum end of the pipe.
  • any compressor and vacuum pump combination of sufficient capacity may be used for the pipe renovation system of Figures 1 and 2.
  • Any suitable air compressor or equivalent device for supplying pressurized air may be used.
  • one suitable vacuum pump is the Jumbo Air Vacuum Pump (single, dual, or quad air) manufactured by Tornado Industries of Chicago, Illinois, which has an external filter.
  • a Vac-Tron vacuum pump manufactured by Vac-Tron Equipment of Okahumpka, Florida, or equivalent, may be used.
  • a Vactor vacuum pump manufactured by Vactor of Streator, Illinois, may be used.
  • a suitable air heater for use in the system is a flange circulation heater available from Gaumer Process Heaters, Systems, Controls of Houston, Texas. However, other types of heaters may alternatively be used.
  • a suitable coating material is then applied to the pipe, using the system as illustrated in Figure 2, with the same push and pull ratios as described above in connection with the cleaning part of the process.
  • the system as connected in Figure 2 is identical to that of Figure 1 , except that the sand blasting or revive machine 20 is replaced by lining mixer 60, with an inlet 62 for receiving the selected lining material.
  • the coating material may be a synthetic resin or plastic. It is selected based on the type of pipe, the pipe diameter, the pipe length, and the cure time.
  • the selected lining material was a two part epoxy material, such APL - 2000[1 ] Protective (Barrier) Material as produced by American Pipe Lining, Inc.
  • any suitable coating material which has an NSF 61 approval for water pipes may be used, such as Raven A-61 or Raven AquataPoxy A-61 manufactured by Raven Lining Systems of Tulsa, Oklahoma, or Pipe Tubeprotect coating material manufactured by A. Lehmann & Co. AG of Allschwil, Switzerland.
  • Other coating materials may be used for different applications.
  • Raven Aquatapoxy A-6 or AquataPoxy A-6 Thick may be used.
  • Simtecplast epoxy manufactured by A. Lehmann & Co. AG of Allschwil, Switzerland may be used.
  • One suitable mixer or machine for adding liquid epoxy to the air flow is the 10B Micro Piston Machine for pumping low to high viscosity liquids, manufactured by Integrated Dispensing Solutions of Woodland Hills, California. However, other mixers and dispensers for liquids such as epoxies may alternatively be used.
  • a pressure test may be performed to determine whether there are any holes in the pipe, since otherwise the epoxy material could leak out of these holes, resulting in insufficient coverage. However, it has been found that the coating material will escape only in very small quantities if the holes are small, and will actually contribute towards sealing such holes, avoiding the need for using additional materials to seal any relatively small holes.
  • a pressure test may first be carried out following the pipe cleaning, using electronic or mechanical measuring devices as known in the pipe testing field.
  • ultrasound may be used to locate leaks from the sound of escaping air. If only minor leaks are found, no repair is needed since the coating material itself will seal such leaks. If major leaks are discovered, a repair is performed prior to starting the pipe coating procedure.
  • the pipe system is heated to a predetermined temperature prior to supplying epoxy material to coat the pipe. This temperature will give the epoxy better flow.
  • the pipe system is heated with dehumidified, pre-clarified air supplied to the first intake 14 directly from air heater 18, while detecting the temperature at the intake with thermometer 50, and at the outlet with thermometer 55.
  • the temperature of the pipe should be between 100° - 120° F during coating. Coating can commence when the temperature is not greater than 120° F at the inlet and not less than 80° F at the outlet end of the pipe.
  • the epoxy components A and B can be mixed according to the specified ratio.
  • the mixed epoxy is then introduced into the hose which is connected to the prepared pipe at a selected inlet.
  • the coating process starts at the port 38 (or port 84 in Figure 6) farthest away from the vacuum pump.
  • the vacuum pump sucks or pulls the epoxy through the pipes.
  • pipe coating is carried out using the combination of the compressor 12 at the intake end and the vacuum pump 15 at the outlet end, both pushing and pulling the air and epoxy material through the pipe, with the push to pull ratio being of the order of 20% to 80%.
  • This push and pull system supplies a high air volume and speed which transports the epoxy through the pipe quickly and evenly, reducing the risk of blockages, and steers the epoxy through the selected pipe section, reducing or eliminating the risk of excess epoxy traveling in the wrong direction.
  • the high air volume which will be equivalent to that illustrated in Table 1 above, causes an eddying core flow in the pipe that throws or presses the coating material against the inner wall of the pipe, while the air flow velocity will provide an even coating layer along the pipe.
  • the method will reduce or eliminate mistakes as a result of poor epoxy distribution which may be caused by using only pressure or only vacuum to transport the epoxy, such as uneven thickness or missed areas.
  • a transparent pipe or tube attached at the outlet end 16 of the pipe shows when the epoxy has traveled all the way through the pipe. The air flow is then slowed to a minimum so that epoxy no longer travels through the pipe system. This helps the epoxy to dry and cure more quickly.
  • Table 2 below allows the amount of coating material necessary to coat the pipe to be determined, ensuring that only small amounts escape from the other end of the pipe, protecting the environment and saving costs. [0046] The amount of epoxy to be used is calculated using Table 2 below, based on the pipe material, length, and diameter.
  • the total length of pipe to be coated is first measured.
  • the amount of coating material required to coat pipe of that length and diameter is then determined from Table 2 above. This amount is then split equally between the ports.
  • an endoscope may be used to determine whether the pipe system has been completely and evenly coated.
  • An ultrasound device may be used in a known manner to determine the thickness of the epoxy coating layer.
  • a pressure test is also performed to ensure that there are no remaining leaks in the pipe.
  • two layers of epoxy are applied to the pipe, to ensure that any sharp edges are sufficiently coated, for example at a pipe union 65 as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the connection of two pipe ends by a screw threaded engagement between the pipe ends, with a single layer 66 of epoxy material applied to the inside of the pipe and across the union.
  • Figure 4 illustrates the application of a second layer 68 of epoxy. After the second coating layer is applied, the interior of the pipe will be relatively smooth and any sharp edges, such as the exposed screw threads at the junction, will be sufficiently coated.
  • various quality assuring tests may be carried out during the pipe renovating process.
  • pressure tests are carried out at various points before, during, and after the renovation.
  • the pipes are all coated with epoxy material twice, and the coating is then checked for thickness by ultrasonic means, and for consistency by an endoscope. Endoscopy may also be carried out to check each cleaning step.
  • the water quality may be checked both before and after the renovation.
  • the pipe renovating method and system of this invention may be used for either installed or non-installed pipes, and can be used to renovate many types of pipes, including water pipes, gas pipes, sewer pipes, chemical manufacturing plant pipes, fire sprinkler systems, oil pipes, heating ducts, steam pipes and the like.
  • this method can coat large diameter pipes of up to 20 inches in diameter both economically and efficiently. It has been found that a 10 inch diameter pipe of 120 feet in length can be cleaned and coated within one hour.
  • the prior art uses only pressure or only vacuum, such that air flow is reduced at angles, elbows, valves, partial blockages of the pipe, and the like. In this invention, even if such blockages or impediments are present, the air will be pulled through them by the vacuum pump while still being pushed from the other side by the compressor.
  • Another advantage of this invention is that it avoids the need for very high pressures as are needed in prior art pressure only or vacuum only systems.
  • By providing a higher pull or vacuum flow rate than the push or input gas flow rate steering of the air and abrasive particle or air and coating material mixture can be carried out readily.
  • the combination of push and pull produces more air volume and speed through the pipe, providing more effective cleaning and coating at a lower pressure.
  • the combination of pressure and vacuum also reduces the risk of pipe blockages occurring in the event of equipment failure.
  • prior art compressor only or vacuum pump only systems if the compressor or pump should fail during pipe coating, the coating material will stop moving through the pipe and will cure to create a plug, completely blocking the pipe. This is extremely difficult and expensive to fix. With this invention, if the compressor should fail, the vacuum pump will continue to pull material through the pipe while the compressor is switched out, and vice versa.
  • the method and system of this invention helps to avoid or delay the need for a complete or partial re-piping of a pipe system. This considerably reduces expense as well as the down time during renovation. With this method, all that needs to be done is to dismount the devices or instruments at each inlet/outlet of the pipe system, to connect the cleaning and coating system, and to re-connect the devices and instruments after cleaning and coating is complete.
  • the combination of pressure at one end of the pipe section being renovated with vacuum at the other end produces a much more even and constant flow velocity through the pipe, reducing the effect of partial blockages or impediments due to pipe fittings, elbows, bends, or reduction of pipe diameter due to accretions accumulated on the inner surface of a pipe. Even though the pressure at both the intake side and the outlet side may be well below the maximum pressure permitted for safety purposes, for example 15 PSI, particles and liquids can still be transported at very high speed, while reducing the risk of production of leaks due to high pressure in the pipe.
  • the supply of abrasive material and coating material may be pumped in at either end of a pipe section to be cleaned, not only in the direction illustrated.
  • the cleaning and coating material flow is in the same direction in the illustrated embodiment, this is not essential and cleaning material may flow in one direction while the subsequent flow of coating material may occur in the opposite direction, simply by switching the location of the vacuum pump and compressor.
  • the transport medium in the illustrated embodiment is air, although other gases may be used in alternative embodiments of the invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
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  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un système pour la rénovation de canalisation. On nettoie la canalisation avant de la revêtir avec un matériau de revêtement approprié. Au nettoyage, de l'air pressurisé et des particules de matériau abrasif sont pompés par une première extrémité de la canalisation, avec aspiration simultanée par la seconde extrémité via une pompe à vide, pour améliorer le flux sur toute la longueur de canalisation. Ensuite, le matériau de revêtement est pompé à une extrémité de la canalisation nettoyée, avec aspiration simultanée à l'autre extrémité. Dans chaque étape, le flux d'aspiration est plus élevé que le flux d'entrée, de manière à orienter le mélange vers la seconde extrémité. On peut utiliser ce procédé pour le revêtement et le nettoyage de différentes parties d'un système de canalisation, en injectant les matériaux d'entrée successivement par différents orifices d'accès au système.
PCT/US2003/038211 2002-12-09 2003-12-03 Systeme de renovation de canalisation, et procede WO2004053372A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003293220A AU2003293220A1 (en) 2002-12-09 2003-12-03 Pipe renovating system and method

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/316,255 2002-12-09
US10/316,255 US6739950B1 (en) 2002-12-09 2002-12-09 Pipe renovating system and method
US10/715,866 US7041176B2 (en) 2002-12-09 2003-11-18 Pipe renovating system and method
US10/715,866 2003-11-18

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7041176B2 (en) 2002-12-09 2006-05-09 Joerg Kruse Pipe renovating system and method
WO2008026404A1 (fr) 2006-09-01 2008-03-06 Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. Appareil de décapage de la surface interne de tubes en acier, procédé de décapage de la surface interne de tubes en acier et procédé de fabrication d'un tube en acier dont la surface interne présente d'excellentes propriétés de surface
EP3115672A1 (fr) * 2015-07-06 2017-01-11 M W Polymer Products Ltd Remise à neuf de tuyau
ES2738950A1 (es) * 2018-07-27 2020-01-27 Fontanalia System S L Metodo de tratamiento interior de sistemas de tuberias

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US3485671A (en) * 1966-12-19 1969-12-23 Food Products Inc Method of cleaning air supply systems and ducts
US4454174A (en) * 1982-05-31 1984-06-12 Hakko Co., Ltd. Method for lining pipes of a pipeline
US4505613A (en) * 1982-04-30 1985-03-19 Hakko Co., Ltd. Method for lining pipes in pipelines
EP0353086A2 (fr) * 1988-07-29 1990-01-31 Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd. Méthode pour le revêtement interne de la surface interne d'un tuyau dans une tuyauterie ayant plusieurs branchements
US5924913A (en) * 1994-08-29 1999-07-20 Gevi Process for renovating pipes

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3485671A (en) * 1966-12-19 1969-12-23 Food Products Inc Method of cleaning air supply systems and ducts
US4505613A (en) * 1982-04-30 1985-03-19 Hakko Co., Ltd. Method for lining pipes in pipelines
US4454174A (en) * 1982-05-31 1984-06-12 Hakko Co., Ltd. Method for lining pipes of a pipeline
EP0353086A2 (fr) * 1988-07-29 1990-01-31 Mitsui Petrochemical Industries, Ltd. Méthode pour le revêtement interne de la surface interne d'un tuyau dans une tuyauterie ayant plusieurs branchements
US5924913A (en) * 1994-08-29 1999-07-20 Gevi Process for renovating pipes

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7041176B2 (en) 2002-12-09 2006-05-09 Joerg Kruse Pipe renovating system and method
WO2008026404A1 (fr) 2006-09-01 2008-03-06 Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. Appareil de décapage de la surface interne de tubes en acier, procédé de décapage de la surface interne de tubes en acier et procédé de fabrication d'un tube en acier dont la surface interne présente d'excellentes propriétés de surface
EP2058086A1 (fr) * 2006-09-01 2009-05-13 Sumitomo Metal Industries Limited Appareil de décapage de la surface interne de tubes en acier, procédé de décapage de la surface interne de tubes en acier et procédé de fabrication d'un tube en acier dont la surface interne présente d'excellentes propriétés de surface
EP2058086A4 (fr) * 2006-09-01 2012-08-22 Sumitomo Metal Ind Appareil de décapage de la surface interne de tubes en acier, procédé de décapage de la surface interne de tubes en acier et procédé de fabrication d'un tube en acier dont la surface interne présente d'excellentes propriétés de surface
EP3115672A1 (fr) * 2015-07-06 2017-01-11 M W Polymer Products Ltd Remise à neuf de tuyau
ES2738950A1 (es) * 2018-07-27 2020-01-27 Fontanalia System S L Metodo de tratamiento interior de sistemas de tuberias

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WO2004053372A3 (fr) 2004-12-02
AU2003293220A1 (en) 2004-06-30

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