An elongate hollow structure and method of constructing the hollow structure is described, whereby the hollow structure includes a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion adapted to be merged together to form a tubular wall structure. The method includes providing the radially inner portion, providing the radially outer portion about the radially inner portion, wherein a space exists between the radially inner and outer portions, the space containing a gas therein, and expanding the inner portion. The gas within the space between the inner and outer portions is arranged to be expelled as the inner portion is expanded.

A tubular structure (1) formed by a plurality of circumferentially continuous tubes (11, 12) of fibre reinforced plastics material. The structure (1) comprises an outer shell (14) and at least one internal web (15). The plurality of tubes (11, 12) are bonded together and comprise a plurality of inner tubes (12) located inside an outer tube (11) such that they form each of the outer shell (14) and the internal web (15) with a pair of laminated layers of fibre reinforced plastics material bonded to one another.

A resin system for impregnating a liner element made of a resin-absorbing material for rehabilitating a pipeline. In addition, the invention relates to a method for lining a pipeline by means of a liner element of resin-absorbing material and a rehabilitation device for performing the method. The resin system according to the invention comprises three components (A), (B) and (C) wherein component (A) is a reactive resin, wherein component (B) is an additive, wherein component (C) comprises nanoscale bodies, and wherein component (C) can be excited by ultrasound, UV radiation or microwave radiation to trigger the curing of the resin system. In the method according to the invention and the rehabilitation device according to the invention, a mobile curing device is used, which is passed through the inverted liner element.

A device for applying a film to a three-dimensional article includes an inflatable shape having at least one opening connected or connectable to a source of heated gas. The inflatable shape is configurable in a deflated configuration and in an inflated configuration when the heated gas is introduced into the inflatable shape through the opening. The inflatable shape is configured and sized to allow an article to be placed thereon, at least when the inflatable shape is in the deflated configuration. In the inflated configuration, the inflatable shape is configured for pressing against the article and for adhering, to the article, a film interposed between the inflatable shape and the article. The inflatable shape is impermeable to the heated gas and has a thermal transmittance greater than 600 W/m.sup.2K.

The present invention aims to provide a lining composition which overcomes the problems such as environmental problems (e.g. marine pollution) and VOC problem and which has a good cure rate. We have found that this can be achieved by a composition containing a vinyl ester resin as a prepolymer component and an aliphatic or alicyclic polyfunctional allyl ester compound as a crosslinking agent.

A reinforcement and/or lining method is provided, wherein a thermoplastic reinforcement and/or lining element is subject to mechanical energy impact and mechanical pressure by a tool so that reinforcement and/or lining material of the reinforcement and/or lining element is liquefied and pressed into porous material to reinforce the porous material. In at least one axial depth, the reinforcement and/or lining element is segmented as a function of the circumferential angle so that at this axial depth the circumferential wall of the initial opening in first regions is in contact with the reinforcement and/or lining element and in second regions is not in contact with the reinforcement and/or lining element.

A method of lining a branch area in a pipeline using an inflatable bladder. The method includes steps of preparing a branch liner with resin and positioning the branch liner in a pipeline, inflating the bladder and running a flow of air and steam through the bladder while monitoring its temperature. After curing of the resin, temperature of the liner is monitored and the bladder is removed only after proper cooling of the liner.

A manufacturing method and a jig for a high-pressure tank includes a filament winding step in which a reinforcing shaft is inserted from a cap toward the other end of a liner, the axial length of the liner is fixed by the reinforcing shaft, and a fiber-reinforced resin is wound; and a thermal curing step in which the fixing of the reinforcing shaft to the other end of the liner is released so that the liner can change in the axial direction, and the fiber-reinforced resin is heated.

A method for assembling a liner in a tube includes placing a liner in a tube, and heating a portion of the liner, called a heated portion, with a local heat source. The heated portion is not more than a third of a total length of the liner. The heated portion is expanded radially outwards so that the heated portion abuts against an inner wall of the tube. The local heat source is repeatedly advanced longitudinally along a desired length of the liner to expand the heated portion radially outwards so that the heated portion abuts against the inner wall of the tube for the desired length.

A liner assembly and method for lining a damaged pipe junction between a main and lateral pipe is provided. The liner assembly includes a main liner member and a lateral liner tube. A collar disposed near the juncture between the main liner member and lateral liner tube is impregnated with a liquid hydrophobic or hydrophilic material capable of curing in a flexible or rigid state with the material expanding in the presence of water. The hydrophobic or hydrophilic material can also be applied without the use of the collar. When the liner assembly is pressed against the main and lateral pipes, a portion of the hydrophilic or hydrophobic material is forced into the damaged pipe junction.