WO2000075556A1

WO2000075556A1 - Method of renewing damaged pipes

Info

Publication number: WO2000075556A1
Application number: PCT/AT2000/000155
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franz Sündermann
Original assignee: Klug Kanal-, Leitungs- Und Umweltsanierungs-Gesellschaft M.B.H.
Priority date: 1999-06-02
Filing date: 2000-05-31
Publication date: 2000-12-14
Also published as: ATA98699A; AU5371100A; AT407064B

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of renewing damaged pipes (1, 2), for example the pipes of a channel system, especially of the discharge areas of service pipes, by means of a robotic system (5). According to the inventive method, the damaged spot(s) (4) is/are optionally milled in a first step by means of the robotic system (5). Once at least one lining (9, 11), for example in the form of a collar, a disk or a balloon has been optionally inserted by way of the robotic system (5) to seal the damaged spot(s) (4) a solidifying sealing compound is pumped to the robotic system through a tube (6) and is applied by said system onto the milled spot(s). The sealing compound contains and/or consists of heated melting materials of low viscosity and fast initial solidity, especially polyamides or gels with properties similar to those of polyamides.

Description

Process for damage repair of pipes

The present invention relates to a method for repairing damage to pipes, e.g. of a sewer system, in particular of confluence of inflow pipes by means of a robot system, the damaged area (s) possibly being / are milled out in a first step by means of the robot system, and optionally after inserting at least one formwork, e.g. in the form of a sleeve, a disc or a balloon, a solidifying sealant is pumped through a hose to the robot system by means of the robot system to seal off the damaged area (s) and is applied from there to the milled-out area (s). Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a sealant and a device for damage repair of pipes, e.g. of a duct system, in particular of confluence of inflow pipes by means of a robot system.

Considerable stretches of old sewage and drainage pipes, or junctions of house connection pipes and similar inflow pipes into the sewers or in the main lines show considerable damage due to age and environmental influences, both in terms of sewage technology (blockages, road burglaries, etc.) and in are environmentally problematic because the groundwater is contaminated by the discharge of the waste water. These pipes or sewer lines are generally not accessible and they are also under traffic routes, which are often narrow in terms of area and have a high traffic density. High demands are placed on the renovation of pipes and sewerage lines: no or only little earthwork, short construction time, minimal disruption to network operation, maintenance or improvement of the existing hydraulic conditions and lower costs compared to new construction in open construction.

A method for lining a duct is described in AT 400 052, wherein an inner tube is inserted into an existing and possibly damaged duct and the annular space between the The outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the channel is filled with filler material. To introduce hollow material into the said annular space, one or more supply lines are introduced into this annular space and after a sufficient amount of filling material has been dispensed into the annular space, the supply lines are removed again. A two-component material is preferably used as the filling material, the feed line being in the form of two hoses, so that the material components are brought into contact with one another and thus reacted before the material flows out into the annular space. According to this document, for example, lightweight concrete or a slurry of water and gas concrete granules or a one-component PU foam or a late-reacting two-component PU foam that is already mixed before entering the feed line is used. Apart from the cumbersome supply line with two hoses, this seal becomes brittle over time due to the influence of temperature, moisture, chemicals etc. and loses its sealing properties, so that the pipes and sewer lines become more and more permeable.

AT 403 391 describes a process for the production of tight junctions of house connection pipes and similar inflow pipes in sewers, whereby a solidifying, expanding sealing compound is introduced to form a tight connection in the area of the junction of the respective pipe which opens into the respective channel. The interior of the opening pipe outside the junction and close to it is closed off against the inflow side of this pipe by a disc inserted into this pipe and the junction parts are also covered towards the inside of the channel, so that the space to be filled with sealant is delimited. Then the solidified sealant in the area of the opening pipe is removed and the passages are made. The method is characterized in that, before the sealing compound is introduced, the edge of the opening is widened by milling out a depression running along this edge. Here, too, a two-component synthetic resin is used as the sealing material in the presence of moisture-curing, water-displacing, rapidly hardening Foam proposed, a polyurethane foam should be particularly suitable.

Furthermore, robot systems, such as known the KA-TE robot system from KA-TE System AG (Zurich, CH) for the rehabilitation of sewer systems. The damaged areas are then milled out and the milling groove is then filled with a two-component epoxy resin. However, these filling materials used in the prior art do not have a fast initial strength and only harden slowly. Furthermore, they are particularly susceptible to chemical influences, and the areas that have already been repaired must be renovated after a certain time.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a method for damage repair of pipes, e.g. to provide a duct system, wherein the sealing material completely seals against moisture, gases, chemical influences, etc., has a practically unlimited service life and quick initial strength. The process should also be straightforward and ensure permanent sealing of the pipes in a short time.

The method of the type mentioned at the outset is characterized in that the sealing compound contains or consists of heated melt materials with low viscosity and rapid initial strength, in particular polyamides or gels with properties similar to polyamides. By heating the melt materials with rapid initial strength, in particular polyamides or polyamide-like gels, these are brought into a low-viscosity state, as a result of which they penetrate into the smallest cracks, cavities, pores, gaps and the like of the pipes or the channel system and fill them can. Upon contact with water, the melt materials have the property, particularly during the hardening process, of absorbing certain amounts of water, which increases the dilution of the melt materials. The melt materials expand further in the cavities, gaps, etc., as a result of which the pipes are sealed even more. If the sealed pipe is exposed to water or moisture, the volume increase of the melt materials through water absorption builds up a structure that in the long term can also be subjected to a strong hydrostatic see pressure withstands.

Milling can be omitted in some cases. As a rule, however, for precise processing of the pipes, it is advantageous if the pipe is milled out before the sealing compound is introduced. The conventional, already known techniques are used here, a hydraulic robot system being particularly suitable for this. The milling of the damaged areas removes grease deposits, particularly in the pores of the inside of the pipe, which prepares the pipe's primer for the application of the sealant. In the case of house connection or inflow pipes, the edge of the junction is cut out by milling e.g. an indentation extending along this edge. The robot system can be operated both from the inside of the duct or main line and from the house connection pipe or inflow pipe.

In the case of junction points in particular, it is advantageous if the interior of the house connection inner pipe or inflow pipe outside the junction point is closed off from the inflow side of this house connection inner pipe or inflow pipe by a formwork. This formwork can be achieved by embodiments known in the art, e.g. through a disc, e.g. is designed to be radially expandable. It is also possible to use an inflatable balloon, "bubble formwork", which is inflated until it bears against the contours of the pipe and seals it completely. This means that the renovation is independent of the connection angle and the position of the connection line, and a precisely fitting reconstruction of missing parts of the wall is possible using filler material without narrowing the cross-section. After inserting the formwork by the robot system in the desired location, it can be held in the desired position by a lock so that the robot system can move independently of the formwork.

It is also possible to insert a formwork collar, ie a shield adapted to the pipe cross-section, which is pressed tightly against the pipe wall of the channel. As a result, the junction parts can be protected against pressing groundwater without sealing must be refurbished, whereby the formwork sleeve completely seals the inflow pipe to the main pipe. The formwork collar also makes it possible to repair damaged areas on the main pipe that are not in the area of the junction parts, whereby the formwork collar is simply pressed against the damaged area to be renovated, which ensures a very simple and quick-to-use seal. The formwork collar also prevents the robot system from being contaminated by the sealing compound.

As already known, an inner tube can also be inserted into the (main) tube, so that the sealing compound is introduced into the annular space between the interior and the (main) tube.

After the sealing compound has been applied, the formwork and / or the inner tube is finally removed and, if necessary, can be used to improve or expose the flow path, e.g. of the inlet at the confluence point, the solidified sealant can be partially removed by a suitable milling device, drilling device or cutting device.

The sealant adheres to different materials, e.g. PVC or earthenware, very good, and the top of the refurbished pipe is smooth.

For a complete filling of the damaged areas, it is particularly advantageous if the sealing compound is heated to a temperature of 50 to 450 ° C., in particular 250 to 350 ° C. Lubricants with low viscosity and fast initial strength, especially polyamides or gels with properties similar to polyamides, are brought to a consistency that is optimal for renovation at a temperature of approx. 200 to 300 ° C, so that the sealant penetrates even the smallest cracks and gaps can. A particular advantage of this sealing compound is that it can be reheated and liquefied at any time after it has solidified by cooling.

It when the sealing compound by means of a Melt pump device is pumped through the hose to the robot system. A range of melt pump units with different tank contents, temperature range, weight and different melt output, flow rate, maximum viscosity, number of hose connections, operating voltage, total output etc. are available on the market, so that the optimal melt pump unit can be used depending on the application. The sealing compound can be processed particularly well with a melt pump device with a gear pump. By choosing the right melt pump device, depending on the number and size of the casting points, an appropriate amount of liquid sealant can be produced and kept ready.

It is particularly advantageous if the sealant is pumped through the hose to the robot system at a rate of 10 to 500 kg / h, in particular from 50 to 350 kg / h. A higher pump output is required if a particularly large number of deep cavities have to be compressed. If a melting pump device with a high pump output is used, then requirements for large amounts of sealant, which must be made available within a short time, can be met.

The pipe is preferably moistened in the area of the damaged area (s) before the sealing compound is applied. In this way, the moisture necessary for increasing the volume of the sealing compound through water absorption is made available. This promotes the expansion of the sealing compound in the pores, gaps, etc., whereby the damaged area (s) is / are sealed even further.

It is also advantageous if the pipe is heated in the area of the damaged area (s). This prevents premature solidification of the sealant by cooling through the cold pipe, which would otherwise solidify relatively quickly on the surface of the cold pipe or material. This heating can be done in any common way, e.g. by means of hot water, hot air, radiation etc.

It is particularly advantageous if the tube in the area of Damaged point (s) is heated above the melting temperature of object materials. The damaged area in question is heated to such an extent that the components of the materials of the damaged area on the one hand and the sealing compound on the other hand are mixed, so that an intimate and firm connection is created. The seal created in this way is practically indestructible and particularly durable.

For a deep penetration of the sealant into the damaged areas, it is advantageous if, after the sealant has been pumped into the damaged area (s), the pumping is stopped and that after a pause, the sealant is pumped again into the same damaged area (s) , so that the sealant already beginning to harden is pressed deeper into the damaged area (s) and fills it up completely. This is particularly advantageous in the case of potting an annular gap that arises when using “inliners”. In order to ensure a sufficiently strong pressing through the sealing compound, melt pump devices with higher melting and pump capacities are necessary. This "replenishment" fills the damaged areas down to the rearmost gaps and cracks, so that the damaged area (s) is / are sealed properly and for a long time.

The sealant is preferably pumped into the damaged area (s) in at least two batches. The more batches used to apply the sealant, the greater the melting and pumping performance of the melting pump device. The number of thrusts also depends on the temperature of the damaged area (s) or the time required. For a particularly dense renovation, two or three drawers are cheap.

Furthermore, there is preferably a pause of 10 seconds between the at least two thrusts of the sealant pumping. up to 5 min. in particular from 30 to 60 seconds. This time depends on the speed at which the sealant solidifies, which in turn depends on the temperature of the sealant and the temperature of the damaged area (s).

Another aspect of the present invention relates to the Use of a sealant containing melt materials with low viscosity and fast initial strength, in particular polyamides or gels with polyamide-like properties in the method according to the invention described above for the damage repair of pipes, for example a sewer system, in particular the confluence of inflow pipes by means of a robot system.

The device of the type mentioned is characterized in that the hose is heated. By heating the hose, the heat necessary for the low viscosity of the sealant is always guaranteed, so that even with longer hoses for the rehabilitation of more distant damaged areas, there is no risk of the sealant cooling and solidifying, but the sealant always remains liquid and is applied in liquid form. Furthermore, this device ensures that after the end of the renovation of a damaged area, the sealing compound can simply solidify in the hose without having to empty the hose, since the sealing compound is liquefied again by heating the hose and is used for the restoration of the next damaged area can. This eliminates the hassle of cleaning the hose and the entire sealant can be used without loss.

Another advantage is that a connecting nipple mounted at the end of the hose is heated. This ensures a maximum temperature of the sealant when it exits the hose onto the damaged area (s), which causes the sealant to solidify later and consequently a deeper penetration into the damaged area (s).

A particularly preferred device is characterized in that the length of the hose is at least 50 m. Depending on the sewage system, however, considerably longer hoses may also be required, the length of the hose being particularly limited by the possibility of heating the hose. A flexible PVC spiral pipe is preferably used, since it can be used to produce almost any diameter and a particularly cost-effective design. form.

For perfect renovation, it is advantageous if the formwork has ventilation holes. These can be designed differently depending on the formwork and damaged area (s), it being important that the air displaced by the sealant can escape from the damaged area during the introduction of the sealing compound.

Another cheap device is that the robot system has a cover against the sealing compound. This prevents damage to the robot system by sticking the sealant or thermal damage to the heated sealant. Any common cover is possible. However, the cover is preferably ensured by at least one bubble. For example, two bubbles can be attached around the robot system, so that only the opening remains free when the sealing compound exits the robot system. By filling the bubbles with air, they expand to the inner surface of the tube surrounding the robot system, so that at the same time that the robot system is protected, the remaining tube is sealed off from the sealing compound.

Furthermore, it is favorable if the formwork and / or the cover of the robot system is / are protected from thermal damage by the heated sealing compound by means of an additional coating. This cover can be easily replaced if damaged after repeated use. It is advantageous if the coating is a wrap made of silicone rubber. This wrapping has proven to be particularly favorable in terms of handling, protects particularly well against thermal damage and can be produced inexpensively.

Another advantageous device is that the formwork and / or the cover of the robot system or its covering is provided with an anti-stick coating. This ensures that the device can be easily removed after the damaged area (s) has been renovated without any sealing compound on the formwork or cover of the robot system gets stuck and the destruction of the damaged area (s) is destroyed again.

Example 1:

After positioning the robot system, which is protected by means of two bubbles around which silicone rubber is wrapped, and inserting a formwork sheet into the mouth of an inflow pipe into a main pipe, the sealing compound "polyamide hot melt" was placed in the for approx. 1.5 minutes with low counter pressure Potting opening pumped. Air was able to escape through a gap provided between the tube and the silicone rubber winding. It was pumped until the sealant leaked between the formwork and the pipe. After 30 minutes the formwork was removed, whereby it detached well from the glue point. The pouring point was sufficiently firm. The casting quality was very good, the surface smooth and the material somewhat elastic. Adhesion to PVC and concrete was good.

Example 2:

The concrete was moistened before the sealant was applied. The bubbles to protect the robot system were only treated with a release agent (petroleum jelly) and no longer wrapped with silicone rubber. Sealant was pumped for approx. One minute, whereby air was able to escape through two small ventilation holes in the formwork panel. After approx. 1 minute the pressure sensor responded and the pump was switched off. After 20 minutes, the formwork sheet was removed, the casting point was filled well and had a smooth surface. The bubbles that were attached to the robot system sealed properly in the pipe, so that a good end edge to the pipe was created. The bubbles detached well from the sealant, but were thermally damaged in the area of the adhesive.

The method according to the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the figures shown in the drawing, to which, however, it is not intended to be limited 1 shows a sewer pipe with a junction of a house connection pipe and a retracting robot system,

2 shows a robot system placed at the mouth of the house connection pipe and a shell inserted in the mouth, the damaged areas being filled with sealing compound, and

Fig. 3 shows a refurbished junction of a house connection pipe, the robot system being pulled out of the sewer pipe.

1 shows a main pipe 1 of a sewer system, into which a house connection pipe 2 opens, the opening 3 having damaged areas 4. A robot system 5, which is connected to a hose 6, is inserted into the main pipe 1. The hose 6 leads to the outside through an opening 7 and is connected to a melt pump device 8 at this end.

2, the robot system 5 is placed at the junction 3. A formwork collar 9 is pressed by a lifting device 10 against the main pipe 1 in the region of the junction 3. Furthermore, a bladder formwork 11 is inserted into the house connection pipe 2, being inflated to such an extent that it is pressed against the house connection pipe 2 on all sides, and thus sealing the house connection pipe 2 tightly against the inflow side. The melt pump device 8 pumps the sealing compound through the hose 6 to the robot system 5, and it is pressed out of an opening 12 of the robot system 5 (better seen in FIG. 1) past the bladder formwork 11 into the damaged areas 4. The formwork sleeve 9 prevents sealing compound from entering the main pipe 1, and the bladder formwork 11 prevents the sealing compound from penetrating deeper into the house connection pipe 2 past the junction area 3. The formwork collar 9 also prevents sealing compound from reaching the robot system 5, so that, according to this embodiment, an additional covering of the robot system 5 can be dispensed with. If the damaged areas 4 are completely filled, which is registered, for example, by a counterpressure arising in the melt pump device 8, the melt pump device 8 is switched off. After the necessary curing time the formwork collar 9 and the bladder formwork 11 are retracted again by the robot system 5, and the robot system 5 is removed from the junction 3 (see FIG. 3). Both the formwork collar 9 and the bladder formwork 11 are provided with an anti-stick coating so that they can be easily removed again. The damaged areas 4 have now been renovated with the sealing compound. Both before the sealant is filled into the damaged areas 4 and after the sealant has hardened, the damaged areas can be milled out using the robot system (not shown here).

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Procedure for damage repair of pipes (1, 2), e.g. of a duct system, in particular of outlets (3) of inflow pipes (2), by means of a robot system (5), the damaged area (s) (4) possibly being milled out in a first step by means of the robot system (5), and if necessary after inserting at least one formwork (9, 11), for example in the form of a cuff, a disc or a balloon, using the robot system (5) to seal off the damaged area (s) (4), a solidifying sealant is pumped through a hose (6) to the robot system (5) and from there onto the milled out Place (s) is applied, characterized in that the sealing compound contains or consists of heated melt materials with low viscosity and rapid initial strength, in particular polyamides or gels with properties similar to polyamides.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing compound is heated to a temperature of 50 to 450 ° C, in particular from 250 to 350 ° C.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the sealing compound is pumped by means of a melt pump device (8) through the hose (6) to the robot system (5).

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the sealing compound with a capacity of 10-500 kg / h, in particular 50-350 kg / h, is pumped through the hose (6) to the robot system (5).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tube (1, 2) in the region of the damaged area (s) (4) is moistened before the sealing compound is applied.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tube (1, 2) in the region of the damaged area (s) (4) is heated.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the tube (1, 2) in the region of the damaged area (s) (4) is heated above the melting temperature of object materials.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that after the sealant has been pumped into the damaged area (s) (4), the pumping is stopped and that after a pause again sealant into the same damaged area (s) ) (4) is pumped so that the sealant that is already hardening is pressed deeper into the damaged area (s) (4) and completely fills it.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the sealing compound in at least two batches in the damaged area (s)

(4) is pumped.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that a pause of 10 seconds to 5 minutes, in particular from 30 to 60 seconds, is inserted between the at least two thrusts of the sealant pumping.

11. Use of a sealant containing melt materials with low viscosity and fast initial strength, in particular polyamides or gels with properties similar to polyamides, in a process for damage repair of pipes (1, 2), e.g. of a duct system, in particular of outlets (3) of inflow pipes (2), by means of a robot system (5) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

12. Device for damage repair of pipes (1, 2), e.g. of a duct system, in particular of mouths (3) of inflow pipes (2), by means of a robot system (5) according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the hose (6) is heated.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that a connecting nipple mounted at the end of the hose (6) is heated is.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the length of the hose (6) is at least 50m.

15. The device according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the formwork (9) has ventilation holes.

16. Device according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the robot system (5) has a cover against the sealing compound.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the cover is ensured by at least one bubble.

18. Device according to one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the formwork (9, 11) and / or the cover of the robot system (5) is / are protected by an additional coating against thermal damage from the heated sealant.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the coating is a wrap made of silicone rubber.

20. Device according to one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the formwork (9, 11) and / or the cover of the robot (5) or its coating is provided with an anti-stick coating.