METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SEALING A SERVICE PIPE

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for sealing at least one leak in at least one of at least one lateral pipe and a mains pipe, the method including passing a at least one of a pig train and said sealant composition under pressure along at least one of said main pipeline and said at least one lateral pipe such that a portion of the sealant composition enters at least one leakage site to seal and cure the at least one leak.

Claims

1-26. (canceled)

27. A method for sealing at least one leak in at least one of a mains pipe and at least one lateral pipe, the method comprising: passing at least one pig train comprising at least one gel pig and at least one sealant composition comprising at least one of wound fibers and yarns, under pressure along the mains pipe and said at least one lateral pipe such that a portion of said pig train enters said at least one leakage site to seal said at least one leak.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein said leak is in a first lateral pipe.

29. A method according to claim 27, further comprising passing said at least one of a pig train and said sealant composition from a second lateral pipe into said mains pipe.

30. A method according to claim 27, for sealing a leak in a second lateral pipeline, the method comprising: passing at least one of a pig train and a sealant composition under pressure along a first lateral pipeline to a main pipeline such that a portion of said at least one of a pig train and a sealant composition enters said second lateral pipe line to a location of said leak to seal said leak.

31. A method for sealing a leak at a leakage site in a mains pipe, the method comprising: a) passing at least one of a pig train and a sealant composition under pressure along a lateral pipeline such that a portion of said at least one of a pig train and said sealant composition enters said mains pipe from said lateral pipeline; and b) allowing said portion to reach said leak site and to seal said leak.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the main pipeline and lateral pipe are adapted to convey a fluid selected from the group consisting of water, oil, gas, petrol, a heating fluid and a cooling fluid.

33. A method according to claim 31, wherein said pig train and said sealant composition comprise at least one gel pig.

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein said pig train further comprises a sealant composition.

35. A method according to claim 34, wherein said sealant composition comprises at least one of fibers and chips.

36. A method according to claim 35, wherein said sealant composition comprises: a. a hardener; b. a resin; c. an elastic material; and d. a polycondensate material.

37. A method according to claim 35, wherein said at least one gel pig comprises: a. a cellulosic polysaccharide; and b. water.

38. A method according to claim 37, wherein said at least one gel pig further comprises boric acid.

39. A method according to claim 27, wherein said leak is selected from the group consisting of a hole, a crack, a corroded section and combinations thereof.

40. A method according to claim 27, further comprising sealing at least one leak in said main pipeline.

41. A method according to claim 27, further comprising sealing a plurality of leaks in a plurality of lateral pipes.

42. A method according to claim 27, wherein said seal is formed in less than forty minutes for every 100 meters of pipe after entering said pipe.

43. A system for sealing a leak in a lateral pipe from a main pipeline, the system comprising: a. at least one sealant composition comprising at least one of wound fibers and yarns; b. at least one gel pig; and c. a pressure control system for controlling at least one of a pressure in said main pipeline and a pressure in said lateral pipe.

44. A system according to claim 43, wherein said sealant composition further comprises a. fibers; b. particles such as silica; c. at least one sealant; and d. water.

45. A system according to claim 44, where said fibers are in at least one form selected from the group consisting of: single fibers, wound fibers, yarns and combinations thereof.

46. A system according to claim 45, wherein said yarn is single-ply, 2-ply, 3-ply, 6-ply and 12-ply and combinations thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0125] The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more and fully understood.

[0126] With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

[0127] In the drawings:

[0128] FIG. 1A is a simplified schematic diagram of a system for curing a leak in a lateral (service) pipe connected to a mains pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0129] FIG. 1B is a simplified schematic diagram of another system for curing a small leak in a lateral (service) pipe connected to a mains pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0130] FIG. 2 is another simplified schematic diagram of a system for curing a leak in a lateral (service) pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0131] FIG. 3A is a simplified schematic diagram of a system for curing a leak in a second lateral (service) pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0132] FIG. 3B is a simplified schematic diagram of different types of leaks in a mains or lateral (service) pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0133] FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic diagram of a system for curing a leak in a mains pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0134] FIG. 5 is another simplified schematic diagram of a system for curing a leak in a mains pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0135] FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic diagram of a system for curing a leak in a branch pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0136] FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic diagram of a system for curing a leak in a riser pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0137] FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic diagram of a system for curing a leak in a secondary service (lateral) pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0138] FIG. 9 is another simplified schematic diagram of a system for curing a leak in a secondary service (lateral) pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0139] FIG. 10 is a simplified schematic diagram of a system for curing a large leak in a branch pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0140] FIG. 11 is a simplified schematic diagram of a system for curing a leak in a residential supply pipe, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0141] In all the figures similar reference numerals identify similar parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0142] In the detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these are specific embodiments and that the present invention may be practiced also in different ways that embody the characterizing features of the invention as described and claimed herein.

[0143] The pigs, sealant compositions, carrier fluid compositions and chips used in the present invention may be any described in the following patents/patent applications, incorporated herein by reference:—WO2008/081441, to Perstnev et al., WO2016042541A1, WO2016098093A1, WO2016098094A1, WO2016098095A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,045,648, 9,738,798B2, US20170299108A1, US20170363245A1 and US20180003330A1.

[0144] Reference is now made to FIG. 1A, which is a simplified schematic diagram of a system 100 for curing a leak 106 in a lateral (service) pipe 104, connected to a mains pipe 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0145] A sealant composition and/or pig train 108 is fed from a mains pipe 102 into the service pipe 104 and seals the leak/hole/crack 106. The sealant composition and/or pig train 108 exits the mains pipe in a flow stream 110 (having been introduced into the mains pipe at entry 101. For all examples in this invention, network valves are closed upstream (valve 130) and downstream (valve 120) is open and, if required, a service pipe valve 140 is also closed. The closure of network valves is typically several hundred meters (D) away from the service pipe. The service pipe valve is closed during the leak curing process. It should be understood that this figure is a simplification of the actual pipe network, which comprises numerous service pipes, some of which leak and some of which are intact. This methodology is repeated for each hole/crack etc. in each service pipe until no further leaks are detected.

[0146] The pig train and/or sealant composition will typically not enter an intact service pipe due a lack of flow thereof into it.

[0147] It should be noted that the methods and systems of the present invention, there is no set limit on the length of the lateral. According to some embodiments, there is an upper diameter limit of 2″ for the laterals. In practice, a length of a lateral pipe is typically, but not always, less than 40-50 meters.

[0148] Reference is now made to FIG. 1B, which is a simplified schematic diagram of another system 170 for curing a small leak 182 in a lateral (service) pipe 174 connected to a mains pipe 172, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0149] A sealant composition and/or pig train 177 is fed from a mains pipe 172 into the service pipe 174 and seals the leak/hole/crack 176. The sealant composition and/or pig train (not shown) exits the mains pipe in a flow stream 179 (having been introduced into the mains pipe at entry 177. For all examples in this invention, network valves are typically closed upstream (valve 190) and downstream (valve 180) is open. In this case a service pipe valve 178 is open to induce a flow of 100-500 l/hr out of valve 178 into the lateral pipe to seal the leakage 176, in passing through.

[0150] The closure of network valves is typically several hundred meters (D) away from the service pipe. The service pipe valve is closed during the leak curing process. It should be understood that this figure is a simplification of the actual pipe network, which comprises numerous service pipes, some of which leak and some of which are intact. This methodology is repeated for each hole/crack etc. in each service pipe until no further leaks are detected.

[0151] The pig train and/or sealant composition will typically not enter by any significant measure into a service pipe if the flow into said service pipe is too low.

[0152] Turning to FIG. 2, there is seen another simplified schematic diagram of a system 200 for curing a leak 106 in a lateral (service) pipe 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, a sealant composition and/or pig train 128 is fed in from the service pipe and exits through the hole/crack 106 via small stream 129 from the service pipe and in main stream 160 from a mains pipe 102. For sake of simplicity, not all pumps, valves etc. are not all shown in the ensuing diagrams. The upstream service pipe 102 is closed by means of a valve 202.

[0153] Additionally, FIG. 3A shows a simplified schematic diagram of a system 300 for curing a leak 106 in a second lateral (service) pipe 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the sealant composition and/or pig train 148 is fed in through a first service pipe 144, travels through a mains pipe 102 in stream 150 to the second service pipe and exits the second service pipe in stream 152 through the hole/crack etc. Valves 301 and 303 in the mains pipe are closed.

[0154] Reference is now made to FIG. 3B, which is a simplified schematic diagram of different types of leaks 355, 357 in a mains 302 or lateral (service) pipe 304, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Leak 355 is a leak along a connection/weld area between the service pipe and the mains, leading to a fracture/longitudinal leak area 314. Leak 357 is due to a misalignment of two parts of the mains pipe, leading to a spray of the liquid 316 out of the leak. Many other examples of pipe leaks exist and these examples are not meant to be limiting, but rather exemplary. The liquid or fluid (such as water) 308 flows along a mains pipe 302 and leaks at leaks 355 and 357. Some of the liquid exits a service pipe 304 in stream 310 and some in stream 312 from the mains pipe. The total liquid leaked is the leakage volume of =308−(310+312).

[0155] Turning to FIG. 4, there is seen a simplified schematic diagram of a system 400 for curing a leak site 406 in a mains pipe 402, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A leak flow 401 exits leak site 406. A sealant composition and/or pig train 408 is fed via a service pipe 404 into the mains pipe. It exits the mains pipe in stream 410.

[0156] Additionally, FIG. 5 shows another simplified schematic diagram of a system 500 for curing a leak 501 exiting from a leak site 506 in a mains pipe 502, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A sealant composition and/or pig train 508 is fed via a first service pipe 504 into the mains pipe. It exits the mains pipe via second service pipe 514 in stream 510.

[0157] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a simplified schematic diagram of a system 600 for curing a leak 601 from a leak site 606 in a branch pipe 616, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A flow of a liquid 608 passes in a mains pipe 602. In order to cure leak 606, flow in the mains pipe 620 is stopped by valve 622, downstream of the branch pipe. This increases the pressure of flow 610 and allows a sealant composition and/or pig train to travel from 608 into the branch pipe and to seal and cure leak site 606.

[0158] Turning to FIG. 7, there is seen a simplified schematic diagram of a system 700 for curing a leak flow 701 from a leak site 706 in a riser pipe 704, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Typically a mains pipe 702 is at a depth of a+b from a ground level 730. A riser pipe 704 conveys fluids from the mains to one or more service/lateral pipes 714 to one or more commercial or residential buildings 720, at a depth a. In order to cure leak 706, a sealant composition and/or pig train travels via flow 708 up the riser pipe and out of the lateral pipe at flow 710 and seals and cures the leak in the riser pipe en passant. Additionally or alternatively, this may be performed in the opposite direction.

[0159] Additionally, FIG. 8 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a system 800 for curing a leak 806 in a secondary service (lateral) pipe 814, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A pig train is introduced to a mains pipe 802 in a flow 808. Some of the liquid flows into a primary service pipe or riser 804 and then into secondary lateral pipe 814 (but not into secondary lateral pipe 816, into which there is no leak). If there is sufficient liquid, it flows through the leak area, the flow of sealant composition will seal and cure leak 806 en passant. Valves 819 and 821 are closed. The sealant composition exits the system at flow 810 out of hole/crack 806 and 814. In some cases, flow 815 will be stopped with a suitable valve or other mechanical device.

[0160] Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is another simplified schematic diagram of a system 900 for curing a leak 906 in a secondary service (lateral) pipe 914, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of secondary lateral pipes 914, 916 and 922 provide residential buildings 920, 925 and 950 with water from a mains pipe 902, via a riser or primary service pipe 904.

[0161] A sealant composition and/or pig train is introduced to a mains pipe 902 in a flow 908. Some of the liquid flows into the primary service pipe or riser 904, and then into lateral 914. Valves 931, 933, 935 and 937 are closed. If there is sufficient liquid flow through the leak area, the flow of sealant composition will seal and cure leak 906 with flow 928 through the leak/crack/hole. The sealant composition and/or pig train exits the system at flow 912.

[0162] Turning to FIG. 10, there is seen a simplified schematic diagram of a system 1000 for curing a large leak 1006 in a branch pipe 1004, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A sealant composition and/or pig train is introduced to a mains pipe 1002 in a flow 1008. Valve 1010 stoppers the mains pipe 1002 or by any other suitable flow stopping device. The sealant composition and/or pig train passes through the branch pipe in flow 1014 past the leak 1006. A large volume of sealant 1016 passes through the leak until it is sealed and cured. The sealant composition and/or pig train exits the system at flow 1012.

[0163] Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which is a simplified schematic diagram of a system 1200 for curing a leak 1201 from a leak site 1276 in a residential buried pipe 1270, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A sealant composition and/or pig train is introduced to a lateral pipe 1280. The lateral pipe has one or more fluidly-connected secondary laterals 1272, 1274, each servicing one or more residential buildings 1250, and 1220, 1230, respectively. Residential building 1250 comprises a number of apartments 1252, 1254, 1256 and 1258. Residential building 1220 and 1230 are houses, for example. A continuation of pipe 1280 is pipe 1270, which leads to a boundary box 1260, disposed on a boundary line 1253, separating private residential ground 1251 from municipal property 1222. Another lateral 1204 connects the boundary box to a mains pipe 1202.

[0164] The sealant composition and/or pig train flows along lateral 1280 to pipe 1270. The boundary box may comprise at least one meter 1261 and at least one valve 1262. Leak site 1276 having leak 1201 is cured by the sealant composition and/or pig train. The pig train and/or fluid flow 1268 may be recovered at a tap 1264 (optionally introduced for the purpose of sealing the pipeline), disposed before/in front of the boundary box, which is in fluid connection via a pipe 1266. When performing the sealing and/or curing process as described above, all water valves and/or taps in the residences need to be turned off and, boundary box valve 1262 needs to be closed.

[0165] In some alternate embodiments, the flow direction of the pig train/sealant composition is from pipe 1266 into lateral pipe 1270 to cure leak 1201 and the fluid flow exits via pipe 1280.

[0166] By lateral pipe is meant any service pipe, communication pipe, small pipe, non-mains pipe being connected to a mains pipe in various types of connections and orientations, often, but not necessarily, at an angle of 90°.

[0167] Application 1

[0168] Repair method “inside” lateral (diversion) line pipe.

[0169] The present invention relates to a process for repairing pipes, tubing from the “inside”, in particular, to methods of repair lateral line pipes.

[0170] In accordance with this method, repair materials are fed into a mains pipe, from which the lateral pipe is in fluid connection. The repair materials are fed under pressure into and at a constant speed along the mains pipeline. Upon passing the junction/connection between the main pipeline and the service pipe, some of the repair material passes up the service pipe to the area of the leak and then through the hole/crack, where it hardens after sealing it, leading to the curing of the service pipe. This eliminates or significantly reduces leakage from the service pipe. Some aspects of the present invention provide novel methods and systems for increased reliability in the sealing of leakages in lateral pipes.

[0171] At the same time it is assumed to simplify the process of repair of such pipes and avoiding the need to excavate. This goal is achieved by the fact that the repair material is fed into the lateral pipe to be repaired through the main pipe. Thus, the repair material passes as for repair of the main pipe in one direction (one end of the pipeline to the other). After the repair the remaining material is returned to the place of loading and flushed out of the pipe to be repaired.

[0172] Another non-limiting example of sealant composition 108 is: [0173] a) plant fibers of different sizes; [0174] b) Silica; [0175] c) at least one sealant composition; and [0176] d) water.

[0177] Another non-limiting example of composition 108 is: [0178] a) hemp plant fibers of different sizes; [0179] b) Silica; [0180] c) at least one sealant composition; and [0181] d) water.

[0182] Typically, fibers are used in compositions for building purposes. Some fibers are in the form of a yarn, that is, a continuous often-plied strand composed of either natural or man-made fibers or filaments.

[0183] In one non-limiting example, hemp yarn has a size of Nm 10 (Nm 10 yarn=10,000 meters per kilogram, or about 4,960 yards per pound) from single to multiple plies of 2, 3, 5, 6 and 12 in either natural or bleached (using peroxide) Made from earth-friendly wet spun hemp, these yarns are smooth and durable The yarns may be provided on spools or in packages and may be single-ply, 2-ply, 3-ply, 6-ply and 12-ply or combinations thereof.

[0184] The pigs, sealant compositions, carrier fluid compositions and chips used in the present invention may be any described in the following patents/patent applications, incorporated herein by reference:—WO2008/081441, to Perstnev et al., WO2016042541A1, WO2016098093A1, WO2016098094A1, WO2016098095A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,045,648, 9,738,798B2, US20170299108A1, US20170363245A1 and US20180003330A1.

[0185] The references cited herein teach many principles that are applicable to the present invention. Therefore the full contents of these publications are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.

[0186] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details set forth in the description contained herein or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and changes can be applied to the embodiments of the invention as hereinbefore described without departing from its scope, defined in and by the appended claims.

REFERENCES

[0187] Bogoeva-Gaceva, G., Avella, M., Malinconico, M., Buzarovska, A., Grozdanov, A., Gentile, G., & Errico, M. E. (2007). Natural fiber eco-composites. Polymer composites, 28(1), 98-107. [0188] Célino, A., Fréour, S., Jacquemin, F., & Casari, P. (2014). The hygroscopic behavior of plant fibers: A review. Frontiers in chemistry, 1, 43. [0189] Mwaikambo, L. Y., & Ansell, M. P. (2002). Chemical modification of hemp, sisal, jute, and kapok fibers by alkalization. Journal of applied polymer science, 84(12), 2222-2234. [0190] Wang, B., Sain, M., & Oksman, K. (2007). Study of structural morphology of hemp fiber from the micro to the nanoscale. Applied Composite Materials, 14(2), 89.