Resin System for Impregnating a Liner Element for Rehabilitating a Pipeline, Method for Lining a Pipeline and a Rehabilitation Device

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A resin system for impregnating a liner element made of a resin-absorbing material for rehabilitating a pipeline, the resin system comprising 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 with ultrasound, UV radiation or microwave radiation to trigger curing of the resin system.

2. The resin system according to claim 1, wherein component (C) comprises a curing agent and/or a catalyst (D).

3. The resin system according to claim 1, wherein the resin system has a pot time of at least 24 hours.

4. The resin system according to claim 1, wherein the resin system is an epoxy resin system or a polyurethane resin system.

5. The resin system according to claim 1, wherein the component (C) contains a nanoencapsulated curing agent or catalyst, and wherein the encapsulation, which comprises an inert shell or coating, can be broken open by ultrasound, UV radiation or microwave radiation.

6. The resin system according to claim 1, wherein the curing time of the system is less than one hour.

7. A method for lining a pipeline with a liner element of resin-absorbing material, comprising the following steps: providing a liner element impregnated with a resin system comprising 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 with ultrasound, UV radiation or microwave radiation to trigger curing of the resin system; introducing the liner element into a pipeline; pressing the liner element onto the inner wall of the pipeline; and activating the resin system by energy input and curing the liner element, wherein the energy input takes place by any of ultrasound, UV radiation, or microwave radiation.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the introduction of the liner element into the pipeline takes place by means of inversion.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the energy input takes place during or after the inversion of the liner element into the pipeline.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the following steps: arranging the liner element impregnated with the resin system on a rehabilitation device, which contains at least one curing device for the resin system; everting the liner element into the inside of the rehabilitation device; positioning the rehabilitation device on the pipeline section to be rehabilitated; inverting the liner element into the pipeline; pressing the liner element onto the inner wall of the pipeline; and activating the curing device for energy input into the resin system for curing the resin system.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the curing is effected by a mobile curing device which is passed through the inverted liner element.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the curing device contains a temperature sensor with which the temperature during the curing is monitored.

13. A rehabilitation device for lining a pipeline with a liner element of resin-absorbing material, wherein the liner element is impregnated with a resin system comprising 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 with ultrasound, UV radiation or microwave radiation to trigger curing of the resin system, the rehabilitation device comprising: at least one curing device for the activation of the resin system by one of ultrasound, UV radiation, or microwave radiation.

14. The rehabilitation device according to claim 13, wherein a first stationary curing device and a second mobile curing device is provided, which can independently of the first curing device be passed through an inverted liner element.

15. The rehabilitation device according to claim 14, characterized in that the energy output of the two curing devices is mutually independently controllable.

16. The rehabilitation device according to claim 13, wherein the curing device contains a temperature sensor.

17. The rehabilitation device according to claim 13, wherein the mobile curing device is mounted on a calibration hose for inverting the liner element or a removable end cap of the liner element or on an end region of a tubular liner element.

18. The rehabilitation device according to claim 13, wherein the mobile curing device is connected to a control device via a multifunction cable.

19. The rehabilitation device according to claim 13, wherein a control cable is provided, which is connected to the mobile curing device.

20. The rehabilitation device according to claim 19, wherein the control cable is connected to an inversion drum.

21. The rehabilitation device according to claim 13, wherein the control cable is connected to the mobile curing device via a deflection roller.

22. The rehabilitation device according to claim 13, wherein the mobile curing device is attached via a controllable coupling device to an end region of a calibration hose for the inversion of the liner element or to a removable end cap of the liner element or to an end region of a tubular liner element.

23. The rehabilitation device according to claim 13, wherein the mobile curing device contains a plurality of curing units.

24. The rehabilitation device according to claim 23, wherein the mobile curing device contains a camera.

25. The rehabilitation device according to claim 13, wherein the inversion drum has a cable brake in particular with a pulling force sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0105] The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of the appended drawings. In this, diagrammatically:

[0106] FIG. 1 shows a vertical section through a connection region between a main pipeline and a lateral pipeline, which is rehabilitated by means of a method according to the invention according to a first embodiment with use of a calibration hose;

[0107] FIG. 2 shows a vertical section through the pipeline with a liner element pressed on by means of the method according to the invention according to the first embodiment and the curing of the everted liner element during the inversion and pressing-on;

[0108] FIG. 3 shows a vertical section through a liner element according to a second embodiment, wherein the curing unit is mounted on a removable end cap by means of a connecting means;

[0109] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged representation of the mobile curing device;

[0110] FIG. 5 shows a vertical section through a pipeline, which is rehabilitated by means of a method according to the invention according to a third embodiment; and

[0111] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged representation of the curing device according to FIG. 5.

WRITTEN DESCRIPTION

[0112] In FIG. 1, a rehabilitation system 10 is shown, which serves for the rehabilitation of a connection region 12 between a main pipe 14, which is also described as the sewer and a lateral pipe 16, which is also described as a house connection pipe. The rehabilitation system 10 contains a rehabilitation device 18, which is also described as a packer, which has a calibration hose 20. By means of the rehabilitation device 18, a liner element 22 is conveyed onto the pipe section to be rehabilitated.

[0113] The calibration hose 20 serves for the inversion and pressing of the liner element 22 onto the pipe inner wall, as is shown in FIG. 2. The calibration hose 20 is configured stretchable and inflatable and in the inflated state has approximately the size and shape of the pipe section to be rehabilitated. The calibration hose 20 has a tubular main pipe hose 24 and a tubular lateral pipe hose 26. The lateral pipe hose 26 has a first end region 28 and a second end region 30, where the first end region 28 is connected and/or sewn in a material-locking manner with the main pipe hose 24 in the region of an opening 32 introduced in the main pipe hose 24.

[0114] The lateral pipe hose 26 projects approximately at right angles from the main pipe hose 24. The lateral pipe hose 26 can however also project from the main pipe hose 24 at a different angle. At its second end region 30, the lateral pipe hose 26 of the calibration hose 20 is closed. The second end region 30 is provided with a connecting means 34, onto which on one side a pulling means 36 is arranged.

[0115] The liner element 22 is configured approximately T-shaped and in the incorporated state is in contact with the inner wall of the pipeline. The liner element 22 has a tubular main pipe liner 52 and a tubular lateral pipe liner 54. The lateral pipe liner 54 has a first end section 56 and a second end section 58, where the first end region 56 is connected and/or sewn in a material-locking manner with the main pipe liner 52 in the region of an opening 60 introduced in the main pipe liner 52.

[0116] The liner element 22 has a carrier layer made of a continuous layer of fibre material. In particular, the carrier layer is made as multiknit nonwoven or of synthetic nonwoven and has a large number of interwoven polyester fibres and/or glass fibres. The carrier layer can be impregnated with a curable resin and in the cured state is in contact with the pipe site to be rehabilitated, in particular in a material-locking manner. Before the introduction of the liner element 22 into the pipeline, the carrier layer is impregnated with a resin. Further, the carrier layer can be provided with a coating system, not shown, of several coatings or layers bonded to one another. The individual coatings or layers can be formed of silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane. In the incorporated state, the coating points into the pipe interior.

[0117] The lateral pipe hose 26 of the calibration hose 20 is inverted into the lateral pipe 16 by application of pressure. The calibration hose 20 is mounted at both ends on the rehabilitation device 18 by means of clamping collar 38, so that an airtight connection is produced.

[0118] The resin system which is used for the impregnation of the liner element 22 comprises three components A, B and C, wherein component A is a reactive resin, component B is an additive and component C comprises nanoscale bodies. Component C can be excited to trigger the curing of the resin system by ultrasound, microwave or UV radiation, which are introduced by the curing units 40 and 42.

[0119] An advantage of the resin system with the nanoscale bodies is that it has a long pot time. This makes it possible that the resin system according to the invention can already be premixed, and merely contacted with the liner element at the time of the pipe rehabilitation, without further treatment steps of the resin system being necessary. Likewise, the resin system according to the invention makes it possible that the liner element 22 can already be impregnated with the resin system before use at the actual rehabilitation site. This means that the liner element 22 can already be impregnated with the resin system some time beforehand at a different place, so that the residence time of the rehabilitation team at the actual rehabilitation site can be minimized, as a result of which there is the possibility of reducing the rehabilitation time.

[0120] Furthermore, through the use of nanoscale bodies in the resin system a better distribution of these bodies in the resin system is obtained. The nanoscale bodies penetrate deep, even into the smallest cavities of the liner element 22. As a result, a uniform penetration depth into the liner element 22 is achieved. Later, this leads to a more uniform curing result, whereby the curing process also proceeds more rapidly. Owing to the fact that these are nanoscale bodies, separation processes, i.e. the sedimentation of the system, are prevented or considerably retarded. If a sedimentation does take place, this takes place with a time delay in comparison to corresponding microscale bodies.

[0121] The rehabilitation device 18, has a permanently installed stationary first curing device 40. This is positioned within the rehabilitation device 18. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the stationary curing unit 40 is annular in shape and surrounds the opening 60 provided in the rehabilitation device 18.

[0122] A second, mobile curing device 42 is positioned on the second end region 30 of the calibration hose 20. A control cable 36 is connected to the second mobile curing device 42 via a deflection roller 82 and a controllable coupling device 86.

[0123] Both the curing units 40 and 42 can emit ultrasound, UV radiation or microwave radiation for the activation of the resin system.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 4. both the deflection roller 82 and also the coupling device 86 are connected with the end region of the lateral pipe hose 26 or the end cap 62. The deflection roller 82 is connected by means of a suspension 94 and the coupling device 86 by means of a coupling means 96a with the end region of the calibration hose 20 or the end cap 62 or with the end region of the liner element 22. The coupling device 86 is connected with the mobile curing device 42 via a coupling means 96b.

[0125] The coupling device 86 has two annular coupling discs 87a and 87b, through the inner opening 88 whereof the control cable 36 is passed. A temperature sensor 71, with which the temperature can be monitored during the curing process, is positioned on the mobile curing device 42.

[0126] The mobile curing device 42 is supplied with power and controlled via a multifunction cable 84. The coupling device 86 is also controlled via the multifunction cable 84.

[0127] The first and second curing device 40 and 42 are configured such that they can emit ultrasound, UV radiation and/or microwave radiation. Furthermore, the first and second curing device 40 and 42 are configured in such a manner that the intensity of the emitted ultrasound, UV and/or microwave radiation can be varied. As a result it is possible to control the energy input into the resin-impregnated liner element. It is thereby ensured that the environment is not exposed to radiation.

[0128] Likewise, the radiation can thereby be optimally adapted to a great variety of liner elements with different diameters and wall thicknesses.

[0129] The first curing device 40 and the second curing device 42 can be mutually independently regulated.

[0130] Because of its ease of operation and good processability, the resin system according to the invention can be used in the rehabilitation of main connections, branching points and lateral connections even of small diameter. The resin system according to the invention for impregnating a liner element 22 is therefore usable in a wide range of applications.

[0131] A further advantage of the resin system according to the invention is that owing to the possibility of premixing the system, human errors at the rehabilitation point are avoided, since mixing of the resin system components no longer has to be performed. In addition, this possibility of premixing achieves a further time and thus cost saving in pipe rehabilitation works.

[0132] The possibility of exciting the resin system according to the invention by means of microwave radiation, UV radiation and/or ultrasound to trigger the curing contributes to the shortening of the curing time.

[0133] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the liner element 22 is configured such that no calibration hose 20 in the region of the lateral pipe liner 54 is necessary for the inversion, curing and/or pressing. For this, the second end section 58 of the liner element 22 is closed at the end with a removable cap 62. The removable end cap 62 is connected and/or sewn in a material-locking manner to the second end section 58. The removable end cap 62 can also be glued to second end section 58.

[0134] The mobile curing device 42 is configured as in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 and shown in a detailed drawing in FIG. 4. A control cable 36, which is passed over a deflection roller 82, is connected to the mobile curing device 42. Furthermore, a controllable coupling device 67 is provided, via which the mobile curing device 42 is connected to the end cap 62. The mobile curing device 42 is connected to a control device, not shown, via a multifunction cable 68.

[0135] Below, the rehabilitation of the connection region 12 by means of the method according to the invention is explained. Firstly, the liner element 22 is impregnated with the resin system according to the invention. Here, the impregnation of the liner element 22 can already be performed prior to the rehabilitation measure. This means that the impregnation of the liner element 22 with the resin system can already take place several hours or days before use.

[0136] Through the resin system according to the invention, weighing at the rehabilitation site or the use of different resins and the control of appropriate quantities to be weighed out becomes superfluous. Since the resin system has a long pot time, additional equipment expenditure can be dispensed with.

[0137] The liner element 22 impregnated with resin is applied onto the rehabilitation device 18 (packer) and transported with this to the pipe region to be rehabilitated. Here, the liner element 22 is at first in the inserted position shown in FIG. 1. By application of pressure onto the calibration hose 20, the liner element 22 is inverted into the lateral pipe 16 and pressed onto the inner wall of the main pipe 14 and the lateral pipe 16, as is shown in FIG. 2.

[0138] During the inversion process, the second mobile curing device 42 is pulled through the inverting, i.e. self-inserting hose. During this, the second curing device 42 is at a previously adjustable distance from the second end 30 of the liner element 22.

[0139] After the inversion process, the coupling device 86 is actuated for release of the mobile curing device 42. Likewise, the mobile curing device 42 is actuated. Through release of the control cable 36, the curing device 42 is passed through the inverted lateral pipe liner 54. To feed ultrasound, UV radiation and/or microwave radiation into already inverted parts of the liner element 22 and thereby to cure the resin-impregnated liner element 22.

[0140] The second end region 30 of the lateral pipe hose 26 is passed back into the starting position again by means of the pulling means 36, as a result of which the second curing device 42 is likewise returned to the starting position. During this process, a further energy input by means of ultrasound, UV radiation and/or microwave radiation into the resin-impregnated liner element 22 can be effected.

[0141] During the inversion process and before the start of the inversion process, and also after the end of the inversion process, an energy input of ultrasound, UV radiation and/or microwave radiation by means of the first stationary configured curing device 40 can also additionally take place.

[0142] In the pushed-on state, the main pipe liner 52 of the liner element 22 surrounds the main pipe hose 24 of the calibration hose 20, and the lateral pipe liner 54 of the liner element 22 surrounds the lateral pipe hose 26 of the calibration hose 20, where the lateral pipe hose 26 in the inflated state can extend through the lateral pipe liner 54, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0143] During the inversion, pressing on and/or curing, the temperature of the resin-impregnated liner element 22 can be measured by means of a temperature sensor.

[0144] The embodiments described above according to FIGS. 1 to 3 are used in the rehabilitation of a pipe junction. In this, the lateral pipe 16 is rehabilitated via the main pipe 14. The rehabilitation device 18 has an inversion drum 64 shown in FIG. 6 and a control device 98, in which a drum 100 for rolling up the multifunction cables 84 is positioned. The inversion drum 64 has a window 102. Furthermore, a grommet 104 for the multifunction cable 84 is provided. The inversion drum 64 has a cable brake, in particular with a pulling force sensor, in order to enable slow lowering of the mobile curing device 42.

[0145] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a further practical example for rehabilitating a pipeline 66 by means of a tubular liner element 22. The pipeline 66 to be rehabilitated extends from an installation pit 65 to a target pit 68.

[0146] An inversion drum 64 is located in direct proximity to the installation pit 65 for the pipeline 66 to be rehabilitated. An air compressor, which is connected to the inversion drum 64 and creates the increased pressure necessary for the inversion, is not shown.

[0147] The inversion drum 64 has a nozzle 76, on which a flexible connecting hose is mounted 78. At the end, the connecting hose 78 has a flange 80. Rolled onto the inversion drum 64 is a control cable 36, which is passed through the connecting hose 78.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 6, the control cable 36 is passed over a deflection roller 82, which is suspended on the end region of the liner element 22. The free end of the control cable 36 is connected to a mobile curing device 42, which has several curing elements 42a, 42b, 42c positioned spaced apart from one another. A camera 92 is provided on the curing element 42a.

[0149] A multifunction cable 84 supplies the curing units 40 and 42 with power and is used for controlling the mobile curing device. Furthermore, a controllable coupling device 86 is provided, which has the structure shown in FIG. 4. The coupling device 86 is suspended on the end region of the liner element 22.

[0150] The tubular liner element 22 is firstly impregnated inside with the resin system according to the invention and closed at its ends. The free end of the liner element 22 can be closed by means of a removable end cap or a hose clamp. At this end of the liner element 22 the pulling means 36 is attached. The resin-impregnated liner element 22 is at first rolled up in the inversion drum 64 by means of the pulling means 36.

[0151] The liner element 22 is then rolled out from the inversion drum 64 until the free end of the liner element 22 emerges from the flange 80 of the connecting hose 78. The free end of the liner element 22 is everted and attached by means of a clip to the outer circumference of the flange 80.

[0152] By application of compressed air to the inversion drum 64, the liner element 22 is inverted into the pipeline 66. In the process, the liner element 22 is everted, so that the side of the liner element 22 impregnated with resin is pressed onto the inner wall of the pipeline 66.

[0153] During the inversion process, the control cable 36 unrolls from the inversion drum 64. In the course of the inversion process, the mobile curing device 42 with the liner element 22 is introduced into the pipeline 66. As soon as the liner element is fully inverted into the pipeline 66, the curing of the resin system is started. For this, firstly the coupling device 86 is actuated in order to release the mobile curing unit. Then the mobile curing device 42 is actuated for power input via the multifunction cable 84. By rolling in the multifunction cable 84 on the control device 98 and release of the control cable 36, the mobile curing device 42 is passed through the inverted liner element 22. The curing process is monitored by means of a temperature sensor 90 mounted on the curing device and a camera 92.

[0154] Through the use of the resin system according to the invention, which is cured by ultrasound, UV radiation and/or microwave radiation, the equipment expenditure for the generation of steam for curing the resin-impregnated liner system 22 after inversion of the liner element 22 in the relevant pipe section can be dispensed with. As a result, the pipe rehabilitation can be performed very quickly. Through the use of a controllable coupling device, the mobile curing device can be released in a defined manner, so that uniform curing of the resin system is ensured.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0155] 10 Rehabilitation system [0156] 12 Connection region [0157] 14 Main pipe [0158] 16 Lateral pipe [0159] 18 Rehabilitation device [0160] 20 Calibration hose [0161] 22 Liner element [0162] 24 Main pipe hose [0163] 26 Lateral pipe hose [0164] 28 First end region [0165] 30 Second end region [0166] 32 Opening [0167] 34 Connecting means [0168] 36 Control cable [0169] 38 Clamping collars [0170] 40 Stationary curing device [0171] 42 Mobile curing device [0172] 52 Main pipe liner [0173] 54 Lateral pipe liner [0174] 56 First end section [0175] 58 Second end section [0176] 60 Opening [0177] 62 End cap [0178] 64 Inversion drum [0179] 65 Installation pit [0180] 66 Pipeline [0181] 68 Target pit [0182] 76 Nozzle [0183] 78 Connecting hose [0184] 80 Flange [0185] 82 deflection roller [0186] 84 Multifunction cable [0187] 96 Coupling device [0188] 87a,87b Coupling discs [0189] 88 Internal opening [0190] 90 Temperature sensor [0191] 92 Camera [0192] 94 Suspension [0193] 96a,96b Connecting means [0194] 98 Control device [0195] 100 Drum [0196] 102 Window [0197] 104 Grommet