WO2004018118A2 - Methods and associated devices for removing incrustations and biofilms in fluid systems - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and associated devices for removing incrustations, deposits and biofilms in parts of existing open and/or closed fluid systems in a reliable and economical manner. The invention provides several devices and associated methods for treating incrusted closed and/or open fluid systems, especially closed water systems such as pipes, boilers etc., and open water systems such as fountains, basins etc. One device, for example, consists of a hot steam generator (1) comprising an inlet and an outlet (2), a valve (3) and a power supply (5) which is connected and disconnected by means of a control device (4). The heated fluid is introduced into the fluid system by means of a capillary nozzle (6). Another device produces electric arcs in the fluid by means of spark-plug-type electrodes arranged in the wall of the fluid system (7). A combination of said various devices can also be used.

Description

Process and associated devices for removing incrustations and biofilms in fluid systems

Process and associated devices for the removal of incrustations and biofilms in fluid systems, in particular closed water systems, such as pipes, boilers etc. and open water systems, such as Fountains, pools, etc.

A method and the associated device for influencing water or the substances dissolved in water, preferably calcium carbonate, are described in WO 9402422. Electromagnetic energy, preferably electromagnetic waves in the microwave frequency range, is introduced into the water. They are injected into the liquid using appropriate equipment. At the same time, the effect of the electromagnetic wave generator and the flow of the liquid are measured and controlled.

The document WO 0125152 describes a method and the associated device for the inexpensive removal of existing lime and rust deposits and other incrustations in water supply pipes and other parts of the water system. For this purpose, a special glass exciter vessel is used, on the bottom of which a magnetron is arranged, which emits microwaves into the interior of the exciter vessel. Due to the special design of a metal tube arranged in the upper region of the excitation vessel, a water vapor bell is generated during operation of the device. Any gas bubbles are fed into the pipe system to be cleaned and cause the incrustations to break down.

A further method and an associated device for the treatment of water by pulsating electromagnetic radiation is set out in EP 0338697. In this method, the so-called absorption / emission profile of the liquid is determined by means of electromagnetic signals. Electromagnetic signals between 0.1 kHz and 1000 MHz are introduced continuously or intermittently into the liquid via spark plugs arranged on the wall of the liquid system. In DE 3920046 intermittent pressure surges of a pulsating water-air mixture are used for the internal pipe cleaning.

However, none of these methods and associated devices can remove incrustations that are permanently deposited in the water systems. Most processes and devices can at best reduce the build-up or growth of the deposits in the water systems. In addition, the known devices for removing incrustations are not suitable for mobile use.

The invention is based on the problem of creating methods and the associated apparatus in order to remove existing blockages, incrustations, deposits and biofilms in the system parts safely and inexpensively in existing open and / or closed fluid systems.

The advantages achievable with the invention consist in particular in that the device according to the invention, which is connected to the fluid system to be cleaned, chemically and physically detaches the existing incrustations and / or biofilms without the addition of chemical agents. The fluid system can continue to be operated during the cleaning procedure of the device. The device according to the invention is removed from the system again after the cleaning work has been completed. In most cases, it is therefore only used temporarily on the corresponding systems. Due to the relatively simple structure, but due to the efficient effect, the device according to the invention can be designed relatively inexpensively. So that an inexpensive method z. B. are offered for cleaning water pipes in homes or industrial plants.

The individual devices and advantageous configurations of the devices according to the invention are described in claims 2 to 14. In claims 15 to 20, the methods for the use of the individual devices or their combinations are described. In claim 2, as a modified variant of the device according to claim 1, the superheated steam generator and / or the valve is additionally cooled with a special technical solution. The development according to claim 3 describes the additional use of a voltage converter in the device. After the further development of claim 4, the Otherwise, steam generators equipped only with a common inlet and outlet can also be equipped with a separate inlet or injection device for the fluid. Claim 5 is a variant of claim 4. Instead of the valve, a pump is used in the pipe system. According to claim 6, a further device consists of a pipe system running parallel to the fluid system with an inlet and outlet, both of which are connected bypass-like to the fluid system with a pump integrated in the pipe system. According to claim 7, this device also has a superheated steam generator. According to claim 8, this steam generator is additionally provided with thermal insulation. The developments according to claims 9 and 10 are special versions of the capillary nozzle. With this solution, the capillary nozzle is prevented from being blown away during use. This enables the hot steam to escape freely from the capillary nozzle into the fluid system even when the capillary nozzle is used for a long time. Claim 11 represents an independent device for treating the fluid on the basis of high-voltage electrical discharges in the fluid. Claim 12 represents any combination of the individual devices. Claim 13 describes a mobile device in which one of the reactors in a reactor vessel Device described above or their combinations and in addition an ozone generator is arranged and connected via cables and hoses to an external high voltage generator, oxygen gas cylinders and / or compressed air generator and a controller. This reactor vessel can e.g. B. lowered into wells. According to claim 14, the reactor vessel can be equipped with light sources and television cameras.

The methods according to claims 15 to 20 differ in the use of the respective device or its combinations. It is common to all methods apart from the method according to claim 18 that fluid or fluid vapor is injected into the fluid system under high pressure via a capillary nozzle. The processes can work continuously or discontinuously. According to claim 18, the generation of constantly emerging arc pulses in the fluid system is used.

Several exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it: Fig. La the basic circuit diagram of the device with a controllable steam generator with a common capillary nozzle as an input and output in the fluid system, Fig. Lb the basic circuit diagram of the device similar to Fig. La, but with a cooling device on the valve, Fig. 2a the basic circuit diagram of the device similar to FIG. la, but with a separate inlet or injection device for the fluid in the hot steam generator and a pressure reducing valve in the fluid system,

2b shows the basic circuit diagram of the same device according to FIG. 2a, but with a pump in the pipe system and without a pressure reducing valve in the fluid system, FIG. 3a shows the basic circuit diagram of the device with a bypass-like pipe system on the fluid system with an integrated pump, check valve and control, FIG. 3b shows the basic circuit diagram of the device according to FIG. 3a, but with an additional superheated steam generator after the pump and the check valve, FIG. 4 shows the basic circuit diagram of the device with electrodes introduced into the fluid system with a voltage converter and the control,

5 shows the basic circuit diagram of the combined devices according to FIGS. 1 and 4,

6 shows the basic circuit diagram of the combined devices according to FIGS. 3a and 4,

7 shows the basic circuit diagram of the combined devices according to FIGS. 3b and 4,

Fig. 8 shows the arrangement of any, individual devices or their combinations in a reactor vessel with an external high voltage generator, compressed air generator, etc. when used in a well and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view through a capillary nozzle according to the invention, arranged in a container or tube wall. The first device for the treatment of encrusted closed and / or open fluid systems 7 consists of a reactor system. The reactor system in turn consists of a superheated steam generator 1, which has only one inlet and outlet 2 to a capillary nozzle 6 via a valve 3, preferably an electrically operated solenoid valve. The capillary nozzle 6 extends into the fluid system 7 and will preferably point here in the direction of flow of the fluid. The superheated steam generator 1 has an energy supply 5, which monitors the adjustable limit values with regard to temperature, time and / or pressure via a controller 4. The controller 4 also controls the valve 3 at the same time. The energy supply 5 can take place directly or indirectly and, for. B. an electrical resistance heater, an inductive heat generator, a gas burner or infrared or microwave radiation exploit. The function of the steam generator 1 and the valve 3 can be carried out manually or by a controller 4. For faster cooling of the steam generator 1 and thus for a faster cycle of heating and cooling and thus filling the steam generator 1 with fluid and expelling the fluid vapor, a cooling device 8 can be provided which, in addition to the steam generator 1, also cools the valve 3. The existing fluid can be used for cooling. However, separate cooling that is completely separate from the fluid system 7 is also conceivable. A separate inlet or injection device, as shown in FIG. 2a, is therefore also conceivable for the fluid on the superheated steam generator 1. In this case, the fluid inlet into the superheated steam generator 1 is also regulated via the controller 4.

The operation of this device according to Fig. La and lb is as follows. The steam generator 1 is manually filled with fluid of the fluid system 7 for the first time. Then the heating process on the steam generator 1 is started. After reaching the set limit values, such as temperature and / or pressure, the heated fluid is explosively injected into the fluid system 7 via the capillary nozzle 6 by opening the valve 3. After the expansion of the fluid vapor, fluid is drawn into the superheated steam generator 1 by the resulting negative pressure, the valve 3 is then closed and the fluid in the superheated steam generator 1 is heated again. This constantly repeating cycle of fluid injection-vaporization-fluid vapor discharge can be set or changed with regard to the clock frequency via the controller 4.

A variant of the device, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, has a separate inlet or injection device. This consists of a pipe system 9, which begins at the fluid system 7 and ends at the steam generator 1. A valve 3 and / or a check valve 10 is arranged in the pipe system 9. This device is used when a pressure reducing valve 11 exists in the fluid system 7 between the inlet of the pipe system 9 and the capillary nozzle 6. If the pressure reducing valve 11 is missing, a pump 13 is necessary instead of the valve 3 in the pipe system 9.

The advantage of using these devices is the separate supply of fluid into the superheated steam generator 1. With the separate supply of fluid into the superheated steam generator 1 The injection and heating cycle of the fluid can be varied more easily via an injection device. The cycles 4 are determined by means of the controller 4.

Different problems also require different equipment. In addition to the method already described, which only allows intermittent operation, z. B. with the aid of the Fig. 3a continuous processes can be generated. In this device, a pipe system 9 in bypass form to the fluid system 7 z. B. attached to a pipeline of the fluid system 7. In the pipe system 9, a pump 13 is combined with a check valve 10. The pipe system 9 has an inlet 14 and an outlet in the fluid system 7. The outlet is designed as a capillary nozzle 6 and ends in the fluid system 7. This device can also be supplemented by an additional superheated steam generator 1 with an energy supply 5, as shown in FIG. 3b , The superheated steam generator 1 is arranged behind the check valve 10, as seen in the direction of flow of the fluid. In this embodiment, the steam generator 1 can additionally be surrounded by thermal insulation 15.

When this device is used, the fluid is removed from the fluid system 7 via the pipe system 9 with the inlet 14 and is pumped back into the fluid system 7 via the capillary nozzle 6 by means of a pump 13, behind which a check valve 10 is arranged. In the case of an additional arrangement of a superheated steam generator 1 through which the fluid is guided, the fluid can be additionally heated or evaporated. In the latter case, 6 fluid vapor bubbles emerge at high speed at the end of the capillary nozzle.

The capillary nozzles 6 can very quickly become encrusted and completely clogged with the appropriate fluid composition and due to the high temperatures caused by the process. FIG. 9 here shows a solution for preventing the incrustation of the capillary nozzle 6 or capillary 6. FIG. 9 shows a sectional view through a capillary nozzle according to the invention, arranged in a container or tube wall 27. A cladding tube 24 is arranged around the capillary 6. This cladding tube 24 has an electrically conductive connection 25 between capillary 6 and cladding tube 24 on the outlet side (represented by an arrow), preferably a metallic circular ring. On the opposite side, that is to say on the entry side of the capillary 6, an electrical insulation ring 22 is arranged between the capillary 6 and the cladding tube 24. The remaining space between capillary 6 and cladding tube 24 is filled with an electrical insulation material 23 of high heat resistance and low thermal conductivity. The capillary 6 and the cladding tube 24 each have an electrical connection 26 outside the container or tube wall 27.

The power supply via the electrical connections 26 results in an electrical circuit via the cladding tube 24, the electrical connection 25 and the capillary 6. Resistance heating heats up the capillary 6 and thus in the end prevents the capillary 6 from encrusting. The liquid or gaseous media within the container or pipe system 7 can no longer cool the capillary 6 significantly due to the arrangement of the insulation material 23.

In most cases where the capillary nozzle is used, electrical insulation in the form of an electrical feedthrough 28 between the container or tube wall 27 and the capillary nozzle or cladding tube 24 will be necessary. This implementation 28 is also media-tight.

The device according to FIG. 4 should be mentioned as a further device for the treatment of fluid systems. In this device, spark plug-like electrodes 16 are arranged in the wall of the fluid system 7 at one or more locations. The electrodes 16 protrude into the fluid. Voltage flashovers are generated continuously or discontinuously between the electrodes 16. For this purpose, the electrodes 16 are connected to an energy network via a voltage converter 12. The intensity and frequency of the voltage flashovers on the electrodes 16 are set via the controller 4.

All of the previously described devices can be combined with each other

Couple facilities in order to achieve an optimal effect of the facilities according to the specific application.

8 shows a special case for the use of the devices according to the invention for use in a well shaft 31. Combined devices are accommodated in a reactor container 32 with outlet openings 33. In addition, an ozone generator is arranged in the reactor vessel 32. About cables and hoses 36, which are rolled up on cable reels 37, there is a connection z. B. to an external voltage converter 12, a compressed air generator 34 and / or oxygen or compressed air gas bottle 35. The controller 4 is also preferably external z. B. housed in the voltage converter 12. The reactor vessel 32 can, for. B. in a well shaft 31 or similar fluid systems. Lowering and fixing in the well shaft 31 can easily be achieved by means of appropriate holding devices and cable rollers 37. The reactor vessel 32 is aligned and fixed with its outlet openings 33 in the direction of the water inlet slots 38 of the well shaft 31. In the reactor vessel 32, pressure conditions are created by means of the ozone generator and the corresponding additional devices, which enables a quick and complete dissolution of ozone in the well water within the reaction vessel 32. The ozone-enriched water is then sprayed into the well or gravel filter 39. In the event of the detachment of iron and manganese deposits, the ozone serves as a strong oxidizing agent for inactivating or killing iron and manganese oxidizing bacteria. This blocks an essential path of clogging.

Compilation of the reference symbols

I - steam generator 2 - input and output 3 - valve 4 - control

5 - energy supply 6 - capillary nozzle, capillary 7 - fluid system 8 - cooling device 9 - pipe system 10 - check valve

I I - pressure reducing valve 12 - voltage converter 13 - pump 14 - inlet

15 - thermal insulation 16 - electrodes

22 - electrical insulation ring 23 - electrical insulation material

24 - cladding tube 25 - electrically conductive connection

26 - electrical connection 27 - container or pipe wall

28 - Implementation

31 - well shaft 32 - reactor vessel

33 - outlet openings 34 - compressed air generator

35 - Oxygen or compressed gas cylinders 36 - Cables and hoses

37 - cable drum 38 - water inlet slots

39 - gravel filter

Claims

claims: 1. Device for removing incrustations and biofilms in closed and / or open fluid systems, characterized in that the device consists of a reactor system consisting of a superheated steam generator (1) with an inlet and outlet (2), a valve (3) on Input and output (2) and a control (4) for the energy supply (5) of the steam generator (1) and the valve (3) and a capillary nozzle (6) as a continuation of the input and output (2) after the valve ( 3), the capillary nozzle (6) ending in the fluid system (7). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the superheated steam generator (1) and / or the valve (3) is provided with a cooling device (8). 3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a voltage converter (12) is arranged in addition to the controller (4). 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the superheated steam generator (1) has a separate inlet or injection device for the fluid and this inlet or injection device consists of a pipe system (9) which begins on the fluid system (7) and ends at the superheated steam generator (1) and is provided with at least one valve (3) and / or a check valve (10) and a pressure reducing valve (11) is arranged in the fluid system (7) between the inlet of the pipe system (9) and the capillary nozzle (6) is. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that a pump (13) is integrated instead of the valve (3) in the pipe system (9). 6. Device for removing incrustations and biofilms in closed and / or open fluid systems, characterized in that the device consists of a pipe system (9) with an integrated pump (13), with a downstream check valve (10) and a controller (4) The pipe system (9) has an inlet (14) in the fluid system (7) and an outlet as a capillary nozzle (6) also in the fluid system (7). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that after the check valve (10), a steam generator (1) with an energy supply (5) and the corresponding control (4) is integrated in the pipe system (9). 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the superheated steam generator (1) is surrounded on all sides with thermal insulation (15). 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capillary (6) has a cladding tube (24) which on the outlet side of the capillary (6) has an electrically conductive connection (25) between the capillary (6) and cladding tube (24 ) and on the opposite side has an electrical insulation ring (22) between capillary (6) and cladding tube (24) and the remaining space between capillary (6) and cladding tube (24) with an electrical insulation material (23) of high heat resistance and with low thermal conductivity is filled and the capillary (6) and the cladding tube (24) each have an electrical connection (26). 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the cladding tube (24) and the container wall or tube wall (27) an electrical feedthrough (28), which is also media-tight, is arranged. 11. Device for removing incrustations and biofilms in closed and / or open fluid systems, characterized in that electrodes (16) for voltage flashovers are introduced into the fluid system (7), which are coupled via a voltage converter (12) to a controller (4 ), are electrically connected to an energy network. 12. Device for removing incrustations and biofilms in closed and / or open fluid systems, characterized in that one of the devices according to claims 1 to 9 is coupled to one another according to claim 11 and has a common or interconnected control system (4). 13. Device for removing incrustations and biofilms in well systems, characterized in that one of the devices according to the invention or their combinations is / are arranged within and in the reactor well (31) which can be lowered and fixed in the reactor container (32) with outlet openings (33) Reactor container (31) an ozone generator is additionally arranged, which is fed by an external voltage converter (12) and the ozone generator is further connected to an external compressed air generator (34) or oxygen or compressed gas cylinder (35) and a controller (4), the connection between the reactor vessel (32) to the external apparatus via cables and hoses (36), guided over a cable reel (37). 14. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the reaction container (32) is additionally equipped with light sources and television cameras 15. A method for removing incrustations and biofilms in closed and / or open fluid systems with the aid of one of the devices according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that the superheated steam generator (1) is filled with the fluid of the fluid system (7) in a repeating cycle and then the fluid in the superheated steam generator (1) is heated when the set temperature, time and / or pressure limits are reached by opening the valve ( 3) the heated fluid is injected into the fluid system (7) via the capillary nozzle (6), then, after the fluid vapor has been released, fluid is sucked in by the resulting negative pressure in the superheated steam generator (1) or pumped into the superheated steam generator (1) by the pump (13) , the valve (3) is then closed and the fluid is heated again in accordance with the set limit values. 16. Verfalπen for the removal of Inlαustations and biofilms in closed and / or open fluid systems with the aid of the device according to claim 6, characterized in that the fluid system (7) fluid via the pipe system (9) at the entrance (14) and by means of the pump (13) the fluid system (7) via the capillary nozzle (6) under high pressure continuously or discontinuously again. 17. The method according to claim 7 with the aid of one of the devices according to claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the fluid within the device is additionally evaporated in a superheated steam generator (1) and is then injected into the fluid system (7) via the capillary nozzle (6) , 18. A method for removing incrustations and biofilms in closed and / or open fluid systems with the aid of the device according to claim 9, characterized in that within the fluid system (7) by means of the electrodes (16) voltage flashovers continuously or discontinuously by a controlled application of a high voltage be generated by means of appropriate voltage converters (12) and a controller (4). 19. A method for removing incrustations and biofilms in closed and / or open fluid systems, characterized in that that the different devices according to claims 1 to 9 are coupled and thus, in addition to the supply of vaporized fluid via the capillary nozzle (6) into the fluid system (7), arcs are simultaneously generated on the electrodes (16) in the fluid system (7). 20. A method for the removal of incrustations and biofilms in open fluid systems, in particular in well systems with the aid of the device according to claim 11, characterized in that pressure conditions are created by means of the reactor vessel (32) and its additional devices which enable a quick and complete dissolution of ozone in the fluid within the reactor vessel (32) and the ozone-enriched fluid is then injected into the well or gravel filter (39) through the outlet openings (33) after the reactor vessel (32) has been aligned.