Biodegradable Sleeve Valve Pipe for Land Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipe materials for injecting cement/chemical mixtures in tunnel excavations and land reinforcement pose significant environmental concerns due to their non-biodegradability, leading to pollution and difficulties in removal and reuse, which limits their use to accessible areas and incurs high disposal costs.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve valve pipe made from heat-processable biodegradable bioplastics, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates and polylactic acid, which maintains mechanical resistance comparable to conventional pipes while being fully biodegradable, allowing for safe disposal and reuse without environmental harm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional plastic pipes (PE, PVC, PP) are used for injection, then the pipes can be easily traversed by excavation machines, but they cause environmental pollution when abandoned in the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental material parameter from conventional non-biodegradable plastics (PE, PVC, PP) to biodegradable bioplastics. This material substitution maintains the pipe's mechanical properties and ease of traversal by excavation machines while fundamentally altering its environmental behavior - the biodegradable pipes can be safely abandoned in the ground without causing pollution, as they decompose naturally over time.
2Strength
If steel pipes are used for injection, then the pipes have high mechanical resistance, but they are difficult to break up and remove after use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes steel material with biodegradable bioplastic material, fundamentally changing the material parameters. The bioplastic pipes maintain sufficient mechanical resistance for the injection function while completely altering the post-use behavior - instead of being difficult to remove like steel pipes, the biodegradable pipes can be easily left in place and will naturally decompose, eliminating removal requirements and associated costs.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If biodegradable bioplastics are used for pipes, then environmental compatibility is improved, but mechanical resistance may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction by embedding resistant reinforcement elements (such as glass fibers or metal strands) within the biodegradable bioplastic matrix. This composite approach allows the pipe to maintain the environmental compatibility of biodegradable material while the reinforcement elements provide the necessary mechanical resistance and structural strength to withstand injection pressures and ground conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The biodegradable pipe solution provides effective land reinforcement and stabilization without environmental pollution, enabling safe long-term placement and easy disposal, while meeting stringent biodegradability standards, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional pipes.
Implementation Method 1
made of biodegradable plastic deriving from the fermentation of sugars and/or oils, more preferably a biodegradable plastic chosen from among polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactic acid, cellulose-based bioplastics or combinations thereof
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A description is given of an injection pipe for the consolidation and stabilisation of the land, or for the impermeabilisation of the same, made in biodegradable bioplastic deriving from the fermentation of sugars and/or with a base of fats/oils and/or with cellulose base.