Water-Soluble Pipe Insert Using MgO Salt Composite
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-soluble inserts for joining pipes often use organic materials or environmentally unfriendly salts, which are hygroscopic, weak, and prone to crumbling, failing to provide a non-constrictive, heat-resistant, and environmentally friendly solution for pipe welding.
Innovation Solution
A water-soluble insert made from a mixture of salts like KCl or NaCl combined with MgO, which reacts with hygroscopic impurities to create a strong, heat-resistant, and easily dissolvable material, optionally enhanced with solubility agents like NaHCO3 and citric acid, cast into shapes suitable for pipe joining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If water-soluble inserts made of organic materials or hygroscopic salts are used for joining pipes, then the inserts provide support during welding, but they are weak, prone to crumbling, and environmentally unfriendly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material consisting of non-hygroscopic salt particles (such as NaCl or KCl) combined with a binder material. This composite provides both the water-soluble support function and the necessary mechanical strength and stability, overcoming the weaknesses of pure salt or organic materials alone.
2Ease of operation
If traditional plastic inserts are used to support pipes during welding, then the pipes are held in place and stiffened, but the inserts remain in place after welding and constrict the pipe interior
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is designed to be temporarily useful during welding and then discarded by dissolving in water. The non-hygroscopic salt composition allows the insert to dissolve completely after welding, removing the support structure and eliminating pipe constriction while leaving no harmful residue.
3Productivity
If hygroscopic salts like MgCl2 are used in the insert composition, then the inserts can be made more soluble, but they absorb moisture, agglomerate, and become weak and fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the hygroscopic property from the salt composition by specifically selecting non-hygroscopic salts (NaCl, KCl) that do not absorb moisture from the air. This extraction of the harmful hygroscopic characteristic allows the insert to maintain stability while still providing water solubility for dissolution after welding.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If water-soluble materials are used for pipe joining inserts, then the inserts can be washed away to leave an unconstricted join, but the materials must withstand welding temperatures without degrading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the insert material by using non-hygroscopic salts with specific melting points and thermal stability characteristics. These material parameters allow the insert to withstand welding temperatures temporarily and then dissolve in water at room temperature, achieving both heat resistance during welding and water solubility afterward.
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 insert provides a strong, heat-resistant support for pipe welding that dissolves rapidly in water, preventing constriction and ensuring a clean, unobstructed pipe interior, while being environmentally friendly and physically stable during the welding process.
Implementation Method 1
MgO, which reacts with hygroscopic impurities to create a strong, heat-resistant, and easily dissolvable material
Implementation Method 2
flowing water through the pipe after welding will wash away the insert, leaving an unconstricted join
Data Source
AI summary
A water-soluble insert for use in joining pipes, made of a material comprising a salt selected from the group consisting of KC1, Na C1, and mixtures thereof; and MgO. Upon addition of a small amount of water to the material, the MgO reacts with hygroscopic impurities in the chloride salt to provide a material with superior properties. The insert is cast from the material, in general by being placed on a form and compressed. Also disclosed is the use of the insert in joining the ends of two pipes, especially pipes made from thermoplastic. The insert is placed in the matching pipe ends, which are then welded. After the join is complete, water is flowed through the pipe, dissolving the insert.