Premise-Side Pipe Sealing Using Pig Trains and Pressure Sealant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sealing pipelines, particularly premise-side pipes, are inefficient and costly due to difficulties in detecting and repairing leaks, leading to significant water loss and financial burdens, especially in urban areas where up to 50% of water is lost from service and lateral pipes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pig train and sealant composition under pressure is passed through premise-side pipes to reach and seal leaks, using a fiber-in-liquid sealant composition and gel pigs that form a pig train to move along the pipeline and seal leaks within premises, with the sealant composition including fibers, hardeners, and elastic materials to form a quick and effective seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pipeline repair methods are used (opening pipeline, replacing sections), then leak sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and repair difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from complex mechanical repair operations by introducing a self-contained sealing composition that can be injected through existing pipeline infrastructure. The sealing composition includes reactive components (first and second compositions) that polymerize in situ to seal leaks without requiring pipeline excavation or section replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a carrier substance as an intermediary to deliver reactive sealing components to the leak site. The carrier substance transports the sealing composition through the pipeline to the leakage location, where it releases and deposits the sealing material that cures to form a permanent seal, eliminating the need for direct mechanical intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pipeline leaks are detected early, then environmental pollution and financial loss are reduced, but detection difficulty remains high
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system incorporates sensors that automatically detect leaks and trigger the sealing process without human intervention. When a leak is detected, the system autonomously activates the sealing composition delivery mechanism, allowing the pipeline system to self-diagnose and self-repair, thereby reducing detection and response time while minimizing environmental and financial impacts.
3Ease of operation
If in-situ pipeline repair is performed, then accessibility requirements are reduced, but repair time and productivity are decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing composition is prepared and loaded into the delivery system in advance, with reactive components pre-measured and positioned for immediate deployment. When a leak is detected, the pre-prepared sealing material can be injected instantly without requiring on-site mixing or preparation, significantly reducing repair time while maintaining the benefits of in-situ repair.
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 method allows for rapid sealing of leaks in premise-side pipes, reducing water loss and repair costs by directly addressing leaks within the pipe network, with the seal being formed in under a minute and fully cured within hours, minimizing disruption and mental stress for homeowners.
Implementation Method 1
passing at least one of a pig train and a sealant composition under pressure along at least one of said at least one premise pipe and said premise-side pipe network
Implementation Method 2
the sealant composition including fibers, hardeners, and elastic materials to form a quick and effective seal
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods and systems for sealing at least one leak in at least one of at least one premise-side pipe and a premise-side pipe network, the method including passing at least one of a pig train and a sealant composition under pressure along at least one of said premises-side pipeline and at least part of said premises-side pipe network such that a portion of the sealant composition enters at least one leakage site to seal and cure the at least one leak on said premise-side.