Fiber-Reinforced Pipeline Sealing for Long-Term Leak Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sealing leaks in subterranean and underwater pipelines are inefficient, leading to significant losses due to the time-consuming detection and location of leakage sites, and existing solutions do not provide long-term curing effects.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing fiber-in-liquid sealant compositions, where fibers are combined with a carrier fluid and gel pigs to form a pig train that travels along the pipeline, sealing leaks by forming a durable seal that can last for over 10 to 20 years, using natural or man-made fibers and various additives such as cellulosic polysaccharides, surfactants, and metallic hydroxides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional sealant methods are used to seal pipeline leaks, then the sealing process can be completed, but the curing duration is short and does not provide long-term effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fiber-reinforced sealant composition where fibers (natural or synthetic) are embedded in a liquid sealant matrix. This composite structure provides both immediate sealing and long-term durability, with the fibers reinforcing the sealant to prevent cracking and degradation over time, achieving curing duration of 10-20 years while maintaining reliable sealing effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If gel pigs are used to transport sealant through the pipeline, then the sealant can be delivered to the leakage site, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gel pigs as intermediary carriers that transport the liquid sealant composition through the pipeline to the leakage site. The gel pig acts as a mediator between the sealant application point and the leak, enabling controlled delivery without requiring complex injection systems or manual intervention at the leak location.
Solution Approach 2:
The gel pig system is designed to be self-propelled through the pipeline using the existing water flow or pressure differential, eliminating the need for external pumping or complex propulsion mechanisms. The sealant is automatically delivered to the leak site where it exits the gel pig and begins sealing action.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If fibers are added to the sealant composition to enhance durability, then the long-term curing is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fibers are pre-mixed into the liquid sealant composition in a controlled manufacturing process before application. This preliminary preparation ensures uniform fiber distribution throughout the sealant, eliminating the need for complex on-site mixing equipment or manual fiber placement procedures during pipeline repair operations.
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 system effectively seals leaks in pipelines, providing long-term curing and durability, preventing bypass and adapting to varying pipeline diameters, while being non-abrasive and biodegradable, thus reducing transportation costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
fibers in a carrier fluid
Implementation Method 2
sealing leaks by forming a durable seal
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention provides systems and methods for curing at least one leakage in a pipeline, the system including at least one fiber-in-sealant-in carrier fluid (FISIC) composition and at least one gel pig composition; wherein the at least one FISIC composition and the at least one gel pig form a pig train, are adapted to move along the pipeline to a region of the leakage and to seal and cure the at least one leakage.