Pipeline Liner Assembly Using Steam Curing for Bend Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for installing liners in pipelines, such as excavation and 'cure-in-place' technologies, face challenges like high costs, time consumption, and difficulties with navigating transitional areas like bends and fittings, necessitating a more efficient and effective pipeline repair and reinforcement method.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a liner assembly with an outer tubular liner and an inner inflatable bladder, where the bladder is expanded with a steam-air mixture to ensure firm contact with the pipeline surface, allowing for continuous curing and easy retrieval, and a portable steam generator system to control the curing process, including temperature and flow rate for optimal epoxy curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If excavation methods are used to install liners, then the liner can be positioned in the pipeline, but the process becomes expensive, time consuming and disruptive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liner from the ground by pulling it through the existing pipeline using a winch system, eliminating the need for excavation. The liner is delivered through the pipeline interior and positioned at the repair location without exposing the pipeline to the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an intermediary retrieval element (winch and cable system) to pull the liner through the pipeline. The retrieval element acts as a mediator between the external pulling force and the liner, enabling the liner to be moved through the pipeline interior without excavation.
2Ease of operation
If push-rods are used to move the liner, then the liner can be delivered to the pipeline, but transitional areas like bends and fittings create significant delivery problems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a dynamic retrieval system where the liner can be pulled through the pipeline with controlled force. The winch system allows the liner to be gradually drawn through bends and fittings by applying tension, adapting to the pipeline's geometry rather than requiring rigid pushing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of pushing the liner from the entrance as with push-rods, the invention inverts the approach by pulling the liner from the destination end through the pipeline. This reverse pulling method allows the liner to flex and navigate bends and fittings more easily.
3Manufacturing precision
If the liner is inflated to contact the pipeline surface, then firm contact is achieved for curing, but the installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the liner from deflated to inflated, utilizing pressure as a parameter to achieve uniform contact with the pipeline surface. The inflation process transforms the liner into a shape that conforms to the pipeline interior, ensuring firm contact for effective curing.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If excavation is avoided using cure-in-place technology, then disruptive excavation is eliminated, but the liner positioning and retrieval becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a retrieval element (winch and cable system) as an intermediary to handle liner positioning and retrieval. This mediator enables the liner to be pulled into position and later retrieved without excavation, solving the positioning challenge while maintaining the benefit of avoiding disruptive excavation.
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
This approach reduces installation time, increases efficiency, and allows for consistent curing conditions, enabling faster pipeline repair and reinforcement with improved handling of complex pipeline geometries and reducing the need for disruptive excavation.
Implementation Method 1
introducing steam into the inflatable bladder so that the inflatable bladder expands to bring the tubular liner into firm contact with an interior surface of the pipeline
Implementation Method 2
a portable steam generator system to control the curing process, including temperature and flow rate for optimal epoxy curing
Implementation Method 3
the tubular liner being wetted with a curable compound... maintaining the liner assembly in an inflated condition for a time period sufficient for the tubular liner to cure
Data Source
AI summary
A method of installing a liner assembly for pipeline repair or reinforcement includes: pulling a prepared liner assembly into position in the pipeline, the liner assembly including an outer tubular liner and an inner inflatable bladder positioned longitudinally within the tubular liner, the tubular liner being wetted with a curable compound; introducing fluid into the inflatable bladder so that the inflatable bladder expands to bring the tubular liner into firm contact with an interior surface of the pipeline; flowing the fluid continuously through the bladder and discharging the fluid into the pipeline, while maintaining the liner assembly in an inflated condition for a time period sufficient for the tubular liner to cure; and deflating the inflatable bladder and retrieving at least a portion of the liner assembly from the pipeline.