Pressurized-Gas Pipe Cleaning With Angled Nozzles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe cleaning methods using water jets cause oxidation and corrosion, leading to costly damage and environmental issues, while requiring extensive equipment and time, and fail to efficiently remove debris during pipeline construction.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing pressurized gas to rotate a conduit with angled nozzles within a pipe, simultaneously cleaning and inspecting by blowing debris and water out, using a camera for real-time monitoring and a containment system for debris collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water jets with high-pressure fluid pump are used to clean pipes, then debris can be flushed from the pipe opening, but oxidation and corrosion occur causing damage to pipes and environmental issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the water-based mechanical cleaning system with a pneumatic system using compressed air. The air jet nozzle directs high-velocity air streams to dislodge and remove debris through aerodynamic forces rather than water impact, eliminating the oxidation and corrosion problems caused by water while maintaining effective debris removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by employing compressed air as the cleaning medium. The system includes an air compressor, air storage tank, and air jet nozzle that directs pressurized air into the pipe to create high-velocity air streams for debris removal, replacing the hydraulic water jet system with a pneumatic alternative that avoids water-related damage
2Productivity
If water jets are used for pipe cleaning, then debris can be removed, but extensive equipment and time are required and water reserves are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system substitutes water with compressed air as the cleaning medium. The pneumatic system uses an air compressor and storage tank to generate and store pressurized air, which is then delivered through an air jet nozzle to clean the pipe. This eliminates water consumption entirely while providing effective debris removal through high-velocity air streams
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of the cleaning medium from liquid (water) to gas (compressed air). By altering the medium from hydraulic to pneumatic, the system achieves the same cleaning function without the negative environmental impact of water waste, utilizing the compressibility and high velocity characteristics of gas
3Ease of operation
If water is introduced internally to the pipework for inspection, then the inspection process can be implemented, but the pipe must be subsequently dried before use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces water-based inspection methods with a pneumatic inspection system. Compressed air is introduced through the air jet nozzle to both clean and dry the pipe simultaneously. The high-velocity air streams remove debris and evaporate or blow out any remaining moisture, eliminating the separate drying step required when water is used for inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic system performs multiple functions simultaneously: cleaning debris, drying the pipe interior, and providing inspection capability. The compressed air serves as both the cleaning medium and the drying agent, consolidating what would otherwise be separate operations into a single integrated process that saves time
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
Efficiently removes debris and dries pipes without water, reducing construction time and costs, and enabling continuous cleaning and inspection, thus preventing oxidation and environmental contamination.
Implementation Method 1
one or more generally tubular conduits, including a conduit wall, at least one of the or each tubular conduits including an inlet to receive pressurised gas into the tubular conduit
Implementation Method 2
one or more nozzles deployed around the outside of the or each conduit, the or each nozzle being in fluid connection with a tubular conduit, at least one nozzle directed at least partially to direct fluid in a direction non-perpendicular to the conduit axis
Data Source
AI summary
A device for cleaning the internal surface of a pipe has a main pipe axis. The device further includes one or more generally tubular conduits, including a conduit wall, at least one of the or each tubular conduit including an inlet to receive pressurised gas into the tubular conduit. One or more nozzles is deployed around the outside of the or each tubular conduit, with the or each nozzle being in fluid connection with the tubular conduit. At least one nozzle is directed at least partially to direct fluid in a direction non-perpendicular to the main tubular conduit axis, with one or more spacer elements to hold the or each tubular conduit in spaced relationship to a pipe.