ES2920354B2 - EQUIPMENT FOR CLEANING, UNOBSTRUCTION AND SANITATION OF WATER CONDUITS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND RESPECTIVE METHOD - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

EQUIPMENT FOR CLEANING, UNOBSTRUCTION AND SANITATION OF DUCTS

WATER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND RESPECTIVE METHOD

Technical field

The present invention relates to equipment and a method for cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing pipes, in particular, water pipes for human consumption.

Background of the invention

The use of cleaning, unclogging and sanitization processes in water conduits for human consumption is of extreme importance in the water supply, since they guarantee that the water reaches the final consumer with a higher quality in organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological terms, reducing thus the risk of spreading diseases.

Despite some existing solutions on the market, all of them have inherent limitations to the cleaning process. Attempts to clean and unclog these ducts have been reported on several occasions with methods considered limited in their extension or non-functional in their applicability. And in none of them is the sanitization of the duct, after cleaning, made known.

Manual or semi-automated devices are reported, which are used incorrectly in drinking water pipes for human consumption. A clear example of this failure, which is unfortunately frequently seen, is the use of trucks to unclog pipes (wastewater) in the drinking water network. This extreme situation shows the urgency of this type of work.

This cleaning method, which generally works with high-pressure water jet machines, consumes a lot of energy and water, and its operation is very limited to the capacity of a truck-machine.

In cases where cleaning had been performed, the duct walls were reported to have significant wear as a result of exposure to a high pressure water jet. The structural damage, not visible, since the conduit is buried, makes the use of this process limited. Sanitization is left for a later stage, that is, in a second intervention.

Methods for introducing objects into conduits have also been reported, presenting the greatest degree of uncertainty, given that they are driven by water pressure, which in many cases is insufficient to effectively drag and clean them. This often leads to the immobilization of this object, inside the duct in an uncertain part, ultimately causing blockage of the duct. Once again, in this case it is a cleaning process, but not a sanitizing process.

As a trivial solution, chemicals represent an effective but very expensive solution. Especially when the ducts are large in diameter or long.

We also notify the high cost of collecting and neutralizing the chemical products disposed within the ducts.

The high volume of these ducts requires very large quantities of chemicals for cleaning to be carried out. Generating various environmental problems, since the product of this cleaning cannot be discharged into the environment until it is completely neutralized. In reality, much of this chemical product is used in excess, since it is not possible to guarantee contact of the product in the correct concentration throughout the entire area of the duct. On the other hand, more serious incrustations consume excessive amounts of product.

There are processes and devices for cleaning ducts with compressed air. A fairly complete process, but it fails in the sanitization mode, and in the descaling capacity on surfaces with a higher degree of scale.

This type of cleaning does not eliminate the additional process of sanitizing the duct. That is, in many cases it will be necessary to add another stage to the process.

Document US2005/0150526 A1 discloses generic cleaning equipment that cleans a water conduit using only compressed air. This equipment is limited in its cleaning capacity, since it works only with electricity. Does not consider the possibility to use existing compressed air at the project site. It does not allow its use in remote projects without electrical current. This equipment, according to information, only works for ducts of very small diameter and reduced length. The control mode is very basic, it uses open valve - closed valve (on - off) type technology.

Although it allows the cycle time to be controlled, it does not allow the magnitudes, diameter, length, flow rate and flow speed to be correlated. It does not have a compressed air treatment unit. As is known, compressed air systems normally generate oil. In this system there is a very real risk of mixing the oil with the injected air, which could cause contamination of the duct that must be cleaned with compressor oil.

This equipment manages to generate a blow of compressed air, but not a controlled injection of compressed air. Air blowing does not allow for effective cleaning. This document also does not provide for the possibility of using additional elements, or the need to sanitize ducts. Whenever there is a need to carry out an intervention in a drinking water pipe, during operation, it is essential to sanitize. Although the obligation is not defined for ducts in operation, legislative decree No. 23/95 of August 23, in article 112, for building networks, and article 29 for public networks, requires sanitization for ducts. new. The same decree justifies and requires washing and disinfection for new ducts.

Taking the EN805:2000 standard as a guideline, the washing and disinfection process is recommended in point 12.4.2. This point is important, since it defines the need to wash and disinfect a duct after any intervention. An intervention could be, for example, when a pipe bursts and we see the hole in the street. The entities have to, in addition to repairing the leak, sanitize the entire duct.

The method of cleaning ducts with compressed air, as described in the previous invention, has a limitation in the aggressiveness of cleaning. This method is optimized for very gentle cleanings. In most jobs, more aggressive cleaning is necessary, as more serious scale is involved.

Document PT2674228E describes a process for removing deposits and/or biofilms in pipes that contains a preparation phase and a subsequent cleaning phase, in which a pipe is cleaned with a gas that fills a pipe in due course. with a reduced amount of liquid, at a modulated high pressure. This invention focuses only on the cleaning method. It does not provide knowledge of a piece of equipment or a machine to do the job. However, this method does not allow the introduction of a solid, the possibility of sanitizing the canal and also doing so in a single pass.

In the previous patent there is no possibility of making choices. With the present invention, choices can be made and the cleaning process optimized depending on the objective to be achieved and according to the characteristics of the scale.

There are high pressure water jet machines. These machines consume a lot of energy and water and, furthermore, their operation is very limited to the capacity of a machine. High pressure machines do not eliminate the sanitization stage. It is carried out later by filling the duct with a chemical solution.

In many cases there is wear of the duct wall, causing structural disintegration. It does not allow cleaning large lengths of duct, a maximum of 100 meters. With our process, more than 2 km can be cleaned without opening the duct.

High pressure machines are a very suitable method for sewerage, given that sewer pipes are normally large in diameter, but with short sections.

The process of cleaning ducts with the help of compressed air is not new. There is a very basic process, which consists of placing compressed air inside a water pipe and waiting for the effect. In this process, an operator manually opens and closes a compressed air intake valve into a duct, whose pressure is lower than the pressure of the compressor. In this way, the compressed air enters the duct and follows the flow.

This process of empirical use, that is, based on a sensation and not on measurements or algorithms, turned out to be extremely dangerous, causing frequent breakages and rather poor cleaning, given that it does not guarantee cleaning around the perimeter of the duct.

The equipment, object of the present invention, aims to eliminate in a very simple way the failures of this manual use. Then, starting out we have an automated process. Once the physical quantities are entered, the process is automated and the controller guarantees exhaustive replication of the programmed parameters. By removing the operator from manual operation of a valve, we manage to eliminate usage errors. In this process, air is blown and not injected, considerably limiting cleaning.

In view of the above, there is a need to develop equipment and a respective method that allows the cleaning and unclogging of water conduits for human consumption and that can include the sanitization of the conduit during its cleaning, which is a process with a cost of reduced operation, especially with regard to the lower amount of chemicals used, thus avoiding environmental problems and also avoiding wear on the walls of the ducts.

Summary of the invention

The present invention refers to equipment for cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing water conduits for human consumption that allows the cleaning, unclogging and sanitization of a water conduit for human consumption through a single pass of cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing fluids. sanitation along the length of a duct.

The equipment, object of the present invention, also makes it possible to obtain a very significant reduction in the use of chemical products and washing water, and consequently in operating costs, since it allows the uniform distribution of the fluid and the chemical product, in the areas of the duct in which it must intervene, and the discharge of the washing water without the need for neutralization, given that the amount of chemical products used is small.

Another object of the present invention refers to the method for cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing such ducts using said equipment.

In cases where there is a more serious incrustation in the duct, for example, when we are dealing with ducts fed with water of very high hardness, for example 400 mg/l of CaCO ₃ , or very old cast iron ducts, the process Cleaning and unclogging is accelerated by the introduction of fluid into the duct.

This method also allows sanitization of the duct, through the use of a second fluid. This method is minimally invasive, since the pressure is equal to or lower than the normal operating pressure. However, it is sufficient to ensure the effectiveness of the cleaning.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 shows the functional diagram of the equipment (11) of the present invention with its components.

Figure 2 represents a graph that shows the pressure variation of a first fluid, air, in a duct, on the ordinate axis, as a function of time, on the abscissa, during the injection process of the first fluid in a conduit. The "ON" state corresponds to the period of time in which air injection takes place in a duct. The "OFF" state corresponds to the period of time in which no air injection takes place, a period in which the duct only transports water inside. This graph corresponds to a cycle of cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing a water conduit for human consumption. The injection time is an adjustable parameter that defines the volume of the air bag. It also defines the volume of the transport fluid bag, in the case of the present invention, water.

Figure 3 shows a graph relative to the cycle time, in which the ordinate axis indicates the connected (ON)/disconnected (OFF) state as a function of time, on the abscissa axis. The cycle time defines the repetition of the injection time of a first fluid (air) into the duct plus the transport time along the duct, making a cycle that can be repeated indefinitely. This cycle is repeated as many times until the conduit is free of sediment. A cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing cycle can last from 5 seconds to 500 seconds.

Figure 4 shows the equipment-drinking water conduit connection diagram, in which the entry of a first fluid (air), or a third fluid, chemical product, and the respective exit with the result of the cleaning is observed. sediments, in the direction of the fluid flow controlled with the conduit valves. A - Direction of fluid flow; B -Air/object/chemical inlet; C - Exhaust of air/object/chemical product resulting from cleaning; D - Valve.

Figure 5a) shows the operation diagram in the cleaning, unclogging and sanitization route of a water conduit for human consumption. The letter Y refers to the volume of at least one air pocket. The at least one air pocket (Y) may include a first fluid, air, and a second fluid, for example, an object, or may be formed by a first fluid and a third fluid, for example, chemical, or a combination thereof; The letter X refers to the volume of fluid existing in the conduit, drinking water, and the letter Z refers to the water conduit. The air pocket (Y) has a variable volume, depending on the diameter and extension of the duct to be treated.

Figure 5b) shows another perspective of the cleaning, unclogging and sanitization operation scheme as a function of the time indicated in Figure 5a). In this figure, t1 corresponds to the injection time of a fluid in the conduit, which can vary from 50% to 60% of the cycle time t3; t2 corresponds to the transport time of the fluids in the duct, which can vary from 20% to 80% of the t3 cycle time, and t3 corresponds to the total time of a cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing cycle. These time values are variable depending on the diameter, the length of the conduit and the operating pressure to achieve sufficient shear stress to loosen the scale.

In this scheme it is possible to imagine a temporary photograph, which allows the visualization of various air pockets. The injection hole of the first fluid, air, is filled with the volume of water existing during normal flow in the conduit.

Figure 6a) shows an isometric view of the equipment (11) of the present invention. This figure shows the equipment (11) with a side cover on each side, arranged longitudinally with respect to said equipment (11), to cover and protect the equipment units (11). Figure 6b) shows another view of the equipment (11) with the side covers closed.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention refers to equipment and a method for cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing water conduits for human consumption.

Within the framework of the present invention, the term “sediment” should be understood as the presence of sediments, suspended particles and the presence of turbidity in the water leaving the pipe during the cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing procedure.

Within the framework of the present invention, the term "cleanliness" should be understood as the absence of particles suspended in the water or the reduction of turbidity to a minimum of 4 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units).

Water with a turbidity less than 4 UNT is considered drinking water, according to DL 306/2017 of August 27, modified by DL 152/2017 of December 7.

Before operating the equipment (11), and during its operating period, it is mandatory to verify a considerable improvement in the turbidity of the drinking water. Cleaning is considered effective when a sample of water coming out of the pipe does not contain sediment, does not contain suspended particles and its turbidity is equal to or less than 4 NTU. Cleaning is always analyzed and evaluated visually, by comparing before and after the action of the equipment (11) in the water conduit for human consumption. It can be complemented by determining the turbidity of the samples in the field with a portable turbidimeter (0-1000) UNT.

Within the framework of the present invention, the term "unclogging" should be understood as an increase of more than 50% in the volumetric flow rate of a drinking water conduit when comparing the flow rate before the intervention and after the intervention.

Within the framework of the present invention, the term "sanitation" should be understood as a step of cleaning and disinfection. Disinfection, a set of procedures for the purpose of elimination, destruction of potentially dangerous non-spore-forming microorganisms existing on a surface It is considered that there is no complete elimination, but it is reduced to an acceptable level. Sanitization is a mandatory stage when cleaning a water pipe for human consumption.

The equipment (11) for cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing water conduits for human consumption comprises an output interface (K) in the equipment (11) for connection to a conduit (Z) that must be treated, a monitoring unit and control (10), which comprises a microprocessor configured to control the following elements of the equipment (11): an autonomous air compressor (1), an air control unit (4), a air filtration unit (5), an air injection unit (7), a closed tank (6), an object injection unit (8) and a chemical injection unit (9).

The autonomous air compressor (1) is arranged next to the monitoring and control unit (10) and is configured to be used as a source of compressed air.

The air control unit (4) is arranged next to the air compressor (1) and the monitoring and control unit (10), configured for the production of air in the air compressor (1). This unit controls the pressure of the first fluid produced by the air compressor (1).

The air filtration unit (5) is arranged next to the air control unit (4) and the monitoring and control unit (10), configured for the filtration and purification of the air coming from the air compressor (1).

The air injection unit (7) is arranged after a closed tank (6) and the aforementioned air injection unit (7) is monitored and controlled by the monitoring and control unit (10).

The closed tank (6) is configured for the storage and stabilization of compressed air coming from the air filtration unit (5) and is arranged between the air compressor (1) and the injection units (7, 8, 9 ), being controlled and monitored by the localized monitoring and control unit (10).

The object injection unit (8) is arranged after the air injection unit (7) and the aforementioned unit is monitored and controlled by the monitoring and control unit (10), comprising a second fluid.

The chemical injection unit (9) is arranged after the object injection unit (8) and the aforementioned unit is monitored and controlled by the monitoring and control unit (10), comprising a third fluid.

The units that make up the equipment (11) are connected to each other through connection means. These connection means are, for example, electrical wiring and pipes.

In one embodiment, the equipment (11) may receive compressed air from an external compressed air unit (2), for example, when produced at the customer's premises, in an external air production unit. The selection of the compressed air source is made at the control valve (3), located in the air control unit (4).

According to the previous embodiment, the air filtration unit (5) receives the air coming from the external compressed air unit (2).

The object injection unit (8) is suitable for introducing a second fluid into the water conduit for human consumption to be treated. The introduction of this second fluid into the conduit is carried out with the help of a first fluid (compressed air), at a pressure that guarantees the safe operation of the conduit, but also guarantees sufficient energy for the second fluid to exit the conduit. . Ultimately, since this second fluid is a consumable fluid, it is enough to wait a few minutes for the thermal equilibrium, in the case of ice, to cause it to melt. This name of second fluid is intended to indicate that the second fluid that enters the conduit refers, for example, to ice which, after melting, results in a fluid, water. The object injection unit (8) is equipped with object injection means that allow the unclogging stage to be carried out in the duct.

This object injection unit (8) is arranged after the air injection unit (7) and is controlled by the monitoring and control unit (10) of the equipment (11). This object injection unit (8) is used in cases where it is necessary to include a sediment unclogging stage to obtain greater aggressiveness and speed in the process of cleaning water pipes for human consumption, for example, when We are dealing with calcareous scales due to the characteristics of the water, or ferrous scales due to the characteristics of the conduit material.

The chemical injection unit (9) is suitable for introducing a third fluid, for example a chemical, into the drinking water line to be treated. This chemical injection unit (9) is arranged after the object injection unit (8) and is controlled by the monitoring and control unit (10) of the equipment (11). This chemical product injection unit (9) is used in cases where it is necessary to include a sanitation stage in the process, through the use of a third fluid. This fluid is supplied by the mentioned chemical product injection unit (9). In this case, a sufficient amount of a third fluid is injected to guarantee sanitization of the duct to be treated. The chemical product injection unit (9) is equipped with product injection means, which allow the sanitization stage to be carried out in the duct.

In the duct sanitization stage, the chemical injection unit (9) receives information from the monitoring and control unit (10) through a physical sensor to start operation by programming the operator. The third fluid injection process is synchronized with the first fluid injection system, thus managing to distribute the product uniformly throughout the entire length of the duct that must be sanitized.

Various physical sensors (not shown) are placed throughout the equipment (11), which, interconnected with the various units, allow their analysis and monitoring in the monitoring and control unit (10), the person skilled in the art knowing these sensors well.

This equipment (11) allows the injection of bags of a first fluid, the introduction of a second fluid and the dosing of a third fluid simultaneously into the conduit.

This equipment (11) allows it to operate completely autonomously, after entering the necessary physical parameters, during the entire process of cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing a drinking water conduit for human consumption. The operator defines these parameters in the monitoring and control unit (10) according to the physical parameters.

The physical parameters of this process are, for example, the water pressure of the pipe, the water flow rate and the air flow rate. These physical parameters depend on other physical parameters, such as the extent and diameter of the duct to be treated, thus varying from the location of cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing to the method of cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing.

By way of example only, the flow rates of the first fluid (air) can vary from 0.001 m3/s to 1 m3/s. In one embodiment, the first flow rate value fluid can be 0.05 m3/s. In another embodiment, the first fluid flow rate value may be 0.1 m3/s. In yet another embodiment, the first fluid flow rate value may be 0.5 m3/s.

By way of example only, the values of the water pressure in the conduit can vary from 2 bar to 30 bar. In one embodiment, the water pressure value in the conduit may be 5 bar. In another embodiment, the water pressure value in the conduit may be 15 bar. In yet another embodiment, the water pressure value in the conduit may be 20 bar.

By way of example only, the values of the flow rate of water passing through the conduit can vary from 1 m3/h to 800 m3/h. In one embodiment, the water flow rate may be 20 m3/h. In another embodiment, the water flow rate may be 100 m3/h. In yet another embodiment, the flow rate of water passing through the conduit may be 300 m3/h. In yet another embodiment, the flow rate of water passing through the conduit may be 500 m3/h.

By way of example only, the pressure values of the first fluid (air) injected into the duct can vary from 0.1 to 20 bar. In one embodiment, the pressure of the first fluid injected into the conduit may be 2 bar. In another embodiment, the pressure of the first fluid injected into the conduit may be 8 bar. In yet another embodiment, the pressure of the first fluid injected into the conduit may be 12 bar. In yet another embodiment, the pressure of the first fluid injected into the conduit may be 18 bar.

The cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing process takes place at room temperature.

The equipment (11) for cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing water conduits for human consumption is portable or stationary equipment.

This equipment (11) works by carrying out cycles programmable by the operator, in which the monitoring and control unit (10) executes the cycle program programmed for a time defined by the operator, until the desired result is achieved, that is, That is, the acceptance of the degree of cleanliness, with visual analysis with absence of water turbidity or suspended particles, that is, free of sediments.

By desired result, it is understood that the degree of cleaning is accepted by visual observation of the absence of turbidity and the absence of suspended particles, that is, the water that comes out of the conduit, after the latter has been subjected to the cleaning process, is free of sediments.

In general, the method for cleaning and sanitizing water conduits for human consumption includes the following stages:

a) verification of the physical parameters of the duct to be treated, water flow, water pressure, air pressure to be injected into the duct, and programming of the air injection cycle, with time values, in the monitoring unit and control (10);

b) start of operation of the monitoring and control unit (10) configured to verify the aforementioned physical parameters necessary for the interconnection between the equipment (11) and the injection point of the duct (Z);

c) production of a first fluid, by the air compressor (1) controlled by the monitoring and control unit (10);

d) control of the first fluid produced by the air compressor (1) carried out in the air control unit (4) and purification of the first fluid in the air filtration unit (5) carried out through the monitoring unit and control (10);

e) entry of the first fluid from the air filtration unit (5) into a closed tank (6) for pressurization and retention for the time necessary to guarantee that a sufficient amount of air is injected into the duct (Z), through the pressure control carried out by the monitoring and control unit (10), until its subsequent use;

f) injection of the first pressurized fluid into the duct (z) with a speed greater than 0.2 m/s, coming from the closed tank (6), carried out through an air injection unit (7), configured to act to carry out the pre-programmed first fluid injection cycle in step b), guaranteeing that said pre-programmed time, first fluid volume and first fluid pressure values are reached, controlling the air injection unit (7) mentioned by the unit of monitoring and control (10);

g) programming of at least one cleaning cycle carried out in the monitoring and control unit (10), through the creation of at least one air pocket (Y) followed (s) and alternated (s) by the water that circulates in the conduit, (X) depending on physical parameters of first fluid pressure, first fluid flow, water pressure, conduit diameter (Z), conduit extension (Z), cycle time;

h) cleaning the duct through the flow of the first fluid injected by the air injection unit (7) along the extension of the duct (Z), the first fluid being subject to a decreasing pressure difference between a first end (injection point) and a second end (rejection point) of the water conduit (Z), through the flow velocity of at least one air pocket (Y), within the water conduit, dragging the particles in suspension and sediment removed from the surface of the inner wall of the conduit (Z);

i) sanitization of the duct by injecting a third fluid, carried out by a chemical product injection unit (9), in combination with the first injected fluid, coming from stage f);

j) development of the flow of air and fluids along the extension of the duct (Z) with the exit of suspended particles and sediments removed from the surface of the inner wall of the duct through the second end of the duct (z).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes an additional step of unclogging the duct to be treated. This unclogging stage takes place after the cleaning stage and before the sanitizing stage.

In one embodiment, a cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing cycle lasts 50 seconds. In another embodiment it may have a duration of 100 seconds. In another embodiment, a cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing cycle may last 120 seconds. In yet another embodiment, it may have a duration of 350 seconds, or even 420 seconds.

The definition of the physical parameters of the water flow, the air pressure injected into the duct and the programming of the air injection cycle is carried out by the operator and It varies depending on the state of dirt in the duct that needs to be treated.

The optional unclogging step takes place with the injection of a second fluid into the duct to be treated, carried out by an object injection unit (8), injection which is carried out in combination with the first fluid injected from step f) , thus constituting the cleaning and unclogging stages.

Afterwards, the sanitization stage of the duct to be treated begins, with the injection of a third fluid into the duct to be treated, carried out through a chemical injection unit (9), injection that is carried out in combination with the first injected fluid, coming from stage f).

In cases in which the unclogging stage of the conduit takes place, the development of the flow of the three fluids along the extension of the conduit (Z) takes place with the release of suspended particles and sediments removed from the surface of the conduit. inner wall of the duct through the second end of the duct (z).

The unclogging stage, carried out through the introduction of a second fluid (solid), guarantees the unclogging of the water conduit for human consumption in cases where greater aggressiveness and speed are necessary in cleaning conduits. The turbulence caused by this second fluid inside the duct and the impact on the walls of the duct will cause much more impact and greater cleaning efficiency. The use of ice as an example of a second fluid is a very effective solution, since it guarantees that in the event of a blockage, inside the conduit with ice, after a few minutes, the ice turns into a liquid state. The production of ice is outside the scope of this invention.

In the case of unclogging the conduit, with the introduction of a second fluid, into the conduit or branch, to be transported with great speed and turbulence inside the conduit of water for human consumption. These second fluids are propelled by the air injection process carried out by the air injection unit (7). Its introduction into the duct (Z) is carried out with the help of a set of valves (not shown) of the object injection unit (8) and which allow the introduction of the second fluids, which will subsequently be sent into the duct. that must be treated. This process is interconnected and controlled in the monitoring and control unit (10) and is carried out before the start of each air injection cycle (Y), it is arranged a second fluid in the conduit (Z) to be treated, which is provided by the object injection unit (8). Subsequently, the cleaning and unclogging cycle of the duct (Z) begins. The transport of the water that circulates in the duct (X) is carried out by the air pocket (Y), which is injected into the duct (Z) when a more serious unclogging is intended.

In this case, in which the unclogging step of the conduit (z) takes place, the second cleaning fluid that is stored in the object injection unit (8) will be injected into the conduit (Z) of drinking water. human along with the injection of the first fluid, carried out by the air control unit (4), through the activation of the corresponding option in the monitoring and control unit (10) and can be one of the following: ice or any water-soluble solution. In this embodiment the ice is dragged through the air pocket (Y).

As mentioned, and in cases in which the unclogging stage is carried out, the method for cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing water conduits for human consumption includes the following stages:

k) unclogging of the duct by injecting a second fluid into said duct, carried out through an object injection unit (8), in combination with the first injected fluid, coming from step f);

- step k) taking place after step h), or;

- steps k) and i) taking place simultaneously or separately after step h).

Within the framework of the present invention, the first fluid is to be understood as air.

In the case of using an external compressed air unit (2), a connection is made by making a bypass with respect to the air compressor (1). Air then enters the air control unit (4), with the intention of adjusting and limiting the operating pressure.

Programmable cycle means the introduction by the operator of numerical values of air pressure and cycle time on the screen of the monitoring and control unit (10) (CPU), with the aim of controlling the injection unit. air (7), repeatedly over time.

Figure 5b) shows, as an example, a cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing cycle of a water conduit for human consumption. The cycle develops in the direction of pressure decrease from the first end of the duct (Z), or injection point, to the second end of the duct (Z), or rejection point, and corresponds to pulse injection of air in the water conduit for human consumption carried out through the air injection unit (7), forming an air pocket (Y) that corresponds to time t1, followed and alternated by water circulating in the conduit (X ), forming a fluid pocket previously existing in the duct (Z), and corresponding to time t2, in which the aforementioned pockets, the air pocket (Y) and the fluid pocket previously existing in the duct (Z) They flow along the interior of the conduit to the second end of said conduit (Z). t3 corresponds to the total time of a cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing cycle. The cleaning method will be carried out intermittently, with an injected air pocket and a continuous water pocket.

The air pocket (Y) that enters the duct (Z) is formed by air. In one embodiment of the present invention, the air pocket (Y) may be formed by a first fluid, air, and a second fluid, for example an object, or it may be formed by a first fluid and a third fluid, for example, chemical product, or it can be formed by a first fluid, air, by a second fluid, object, and by a third fluid, chemical product.

The flow rate of the air pocket (Y) within the water conduit causes a positive shear stress. The shear stress created is sufficient to loosen scale and biofilm located on the canal wall. The continuity of flow within the speed limits allows the removal of suspended particles and sediments removed from the surface of the inner wall of the conduit. At the second end of the duct (Z) (rejection point) the exit of the air pockets (Y) at high speed and the drag with the turbidity exit is observed.

With this equipment (11) it is possible to inject a volume of air pocket (Y) at a desired pressure into the duct (Z). Whenever air is not injected, it is the water under pressure in the duct that develops the flow, water that circulates in the duct (X). The time of water passage and absence of air passage is controlled, monitored and adjusted, whenever necessary, in the monitoring and control unit (10).

A cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing cycle corresponds to the cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing stages of the water conduit for human consumption, for cases in which the conduit may have more dirt or scale, and that requires a more efficient method. aggressive to eliminate impurities and sediments present.

However, a cycle may also correspond to the cleaning and sanitizing stage of the water conduit for human consumption, for cases in which the conduit is in a less aggressive or less serious state of dirt.

In the method mentioned above, a first fluid (air) is used that comes from the air injection unit (7). However, other fluids are used within the scope of the present invention. These fluids can be gaseous, solid or liquid. Examples of second fluid are: ice or salt. Examples of third fluid are chemicals.

The conduit to be treated must allow connection with the equipment (11), through the output interface (k) of the equipment (11) for connection to the conduit (Z), at the beginning of the extension, or at the first end of the duct (Z). The conduit (Z) to be cleaned has a second end open to the atmosphere to collect the fluids involved and the flow of cleaning waste. The duct (Z) to be cleaned may be a main duct, or a branch duct, for example a branch.

The effectiveness of this method can be easily observed through the sediments removed during the development of the process. This process is repeated for the necessary number of cycles until the desired degree of cleaning is reached, that is, until the amount of sediment removed during the method for cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing water conduits for human consumption that leaves the conduit is such. that after a visual inspection there is no turbidity in the water, nor any suspended particles.

As mentioned above, the method of the present invention can also include, in a complementary manner to the unclogging stage, a sanitization process of the water conduit (Z) for human consumption through the use of the water injection unit. chemical product (9) with the activation of the corresponding option in the monitoring and control unit (10) in cases where there is a need for elimination, destruction of potentially dangerous non-spore-forming microorganisms.

Thus, with the same equipment (11) it is possible, just by activating a button on the main panel of the monitoring and control unit (10), to activate the chemical injection unit (9), to guarantee the distribution of the third fluid, the chemical product inside the conduit, allowing it to flow along the conduit and the sediments to be removed from the aforementioned conduit.

The sanitization process is carried out with the use of a third fluid. This second fluid is provided by the chemical injection unit (9). In this case, a certain amount of chemical product sufficient to guarantee the sanitization of the duct that must be treated is injected, previously calculated based on the physical parameters present in the work and the degree of sanitization, which will be transported by the unit of chemical product. (9) and will be distributed uniformly along the conduit (Z), until the chemical product is consumed or eliminated in the discharge of the conduit (Z). This synchronous process is controlled and monitored by the monitoring and control unit (10).

This third fluid, chemical product, which is stored in the chemical injection unit (9) will be injected at the injection point of the water conduit (Z) for human consumption together with the air injection carried out through the air control unit (4) through activation of the corresponding option in the monitoring and control unit (10).

The third fluid is a chemical selected from the following: sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide.

It is possible that this method also allows effective elimination of Legionella in water pipes for human consumption. The chemical products used in the sanitation stage are equally effective in the fight against Legionella.

The cleaning, unclogging and sanitization of the duct is achieved through the effect of turbulence and the impact and/or cavitation created by the introduction of air and one or two fluids with different speeds and pressures.

This completely controlled and automated method guarantees the effectiveness of the injection in the useful time and pressure of the fluids (solid and/or liquid, and/or gas), without any reflux of the injected fluid thanks to the presence of a non-return system. contemplated in the air injection unit (7).

In this way, this method allows a very significant reduction in the use of chemical products, since it manages to distribute the chemical product evenly in the areas of the duct in which intervention must be done, and the discharge of the washing water without the need for neutralization.

The present invention thus solves the problems of the prior art. Once the conduit (Z) is connected to the equipment (11) of the invention, the cleaning process begins. Simply introducing air bags (Y) discontinuously at constant pressure. In the case of sanitizing the duct, the same connection of the machine with the duct to be cleaned remains connected, there being no need to make new connections to sanitize the duct.

With this innovative solution, working time, the amount of chemical product and the volume of water wasted are substantially reduced. Very advantageously, the present invention makes it possible to substantially reduce the amount of water used with the present method, due to filling the duct to be treated with the air pockets (Y), as referenced in Figure 5a). In an equally very advantageous way, the present invention makes it possible to substantially reduce the amount of chemical product (third fluid), due to filling the duct that must be treated with the air pockets (Y), as referenced in Figure 5a).

Additionally, in a very advantageous way, the present invention allows working time to be substantially reduced, since the cleaning, clogging and sanitizing steps are carried out with a single pass of fluids along the interior of the duct along the duct length. After carrying out this passage of fluids along the duct, the sediments are removed and sanitation is carried out with the elimination of biofilms, thus obtaining a clean, unclogged and sanitized duct. Still very advantageously, when the cleaning, unclogging and sanitization of the water conduits for human consumption is carried out with the equipment (11) and the respective method of the present invention, the wear of the internal walls of the conduits is substantially reduced. ducts.

In cases where greater aggressiveness is necessary to eliminate biofilms, a second fluid can be used, for example, salt or ice. This elements inside the duct create enough turbulence and impact to remove/clean without damaging the duct.

With the equipment (11) and the respective method object of the present invention, it is possible to follow the guidelines of the EN 805 standard, January 2000, in which the sanitization of water conduits for human consumption, outside of buildings, is recommended. therefore, in the distribution networks. In this standard, in point 12.4.1, the disinfection process is validated with the method described in the present invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, two examples of application of the equipment and method of the present invention are described below, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes.

Example 1

The method for cleaning and sanitization carried out with the equipment (11) of the present invention, in a DN 100 conduit made according to the method object of the invention, with an extension of 5 km, supplied with drinking water at a pressure of 3 bar, with a flow rate of 1 m3/h. The air is injected into the duct with a flow rate of about 0.001 m3/s at a pressure of 2 bar. The cleaning method will start with a 15 s/min airbag injection cycle. After carrying out this cleaning and sanitizing cycle, the cycle will be repeated as many times as necessary until the water conduit for human consumption is free of sediment, that is, the conduit is clean.

Example 2

The method for cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing carried out with the equipment (11) of the present invention is carried out in a conduit mentioned in example 1 according to the method object of the invention, with an extension of 5 km, supplied with drinking water. at a pressure of 10 bar, with a flow rate of 800 m3/h. The air is injected into the duct with a flow rate of about 0.5 m3/s at a pressure of 9 bar. The cleaning method will start with a 5 s/min airbag injection cycle. After carrying out this cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing cycle, the cycle will be repeated as many times as necessary until the water conduit for human consumption is free of sediment, that is, the conduit is clean.

Claims (24)

1. Equipment (11) for cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing water conduits for human consumption, characterized in that it comprises an outlet interface (K) in the equipment (11) for connection to a conduit (Z) that must be treated, a unit monitoring and control unit (10), which comprises a microprocessor configured to control the following elements of the equipment (11): an autonomous air compressor (1), an air control unit (4), a filtration unit air (5), an air injection unit (7), a closed tank (6), an object injection unit (8) and a chemical injection unit (9). 2. Equipment (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the autonomous air compressor (1) is arranged next to the monitoring and control unit (10) and is configured to be used as a source of compressed air, a first fluid. 3. Equipment (11) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises an external compressed air unit (2). 4. Equipment (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air control unit (4) is arranged next to the air compressor (1) and the monitoring and control unit (10), configured for the production of air in the air compressor (1). 5. Equipment (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air filtration unit (5) is arranged next to the air control unit (4) and the monitoring and control unit (10), configured for filtration. and purification of the air from the air compressor (1). 6. Equipment (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the air injection unit (7) is arranged after a closed tank (6) and the mentioned air injection unit (7) is monitored and controlled by the said air injection unit (7). monitoring and control (10). 7. Equipment (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closed tank (6) is configured for the storage and stabilization of the compressed air coming from the air filtration unit (5) and is arranged between the air compressor ( 1) and the air injection unit (7), the object injection unit (8), the chemical injection unit (9), being controlled and monitored by the monitoring and control unit (10). 8. Equipment (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the object injection unit (8) is arranged after the air injection unit (7) and the object injection unit (8) mentioned by the monitoring and control unit (10). 9. Equipment (11) according to claim 8, characterized in that the object injection unit (8) comprises a second fluid, selected from: ice or salt. 10. Equipment (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the chemical injection unit (9) is arranged after the object injection unit (8) and the chemical injection unit (9) is monitored and controlled. mentioned by the monitoring and control unit (10). 11. Equipment (11) according to claim 10, characterized in that the chemical injection unit (9) comprises a third fluid, selected from the following: sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. 12. Equipment (11) according to the previous claims, characterized in that it is portable or stationary. 13. Method for cleaning and sanitizing water conduits for human consumption using the equipment (11) defined in claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) verification of the physical parameters of the duct that must be treated and programming the air injection cycle in the monitoring and control unit (10); b) start of operation of the monitoring and control unit (10) configured to verify the aforementioned physical parameters necessary for the interconnection between the equipment (11) and the injection point of the duct (Z); c) production of a first fluid, by the air compressor (1) controlled by the monitoring and control unit (10); d) control of the pressure of the first fluid produced by the air compressor (1) carried out in the air control unit (4) and the purification of the first fluid in the air filtration unit (5) carried out through the monitoring and control unit (10); e) entry of the first fluid, coming from the air filtration unit (5), into a closed tank (6) for pressurization and retention, through the control of the monitoring and control unit (10), until its use later; f) injection of the first pressurized fluid in the duct (z), coming from the closed tank (6), carried out through an air injection unit (7), configured to carry out the air injection cycle preprogrammed in stage b ), the aforementioned air injection unit (7) being controlled by the monitoring and control unit (10); g) programming of at least one cleaning cycle carried out in the monitoring and control unit (10), through the creation of at least one air pocket (Y) followed (s) and alternated (s) by circulating water in the duct, (X), depending on physical parameters of air pressure, air flow, water pressure, duct diameter (Z), duct extension (Z), cycle time; h) cleaning the duct through the flow of the first fluid injected by the air injection unit (7) along the extension of the duct (Z), the first fluid being subject to a decreasing pressure difference between the point of injection of the conduit (Z) and the rejection point of the water conduit (Z), through the flow speed of at least one air pocket (Y), into the water conduit (Z), dragging the suspended particles and the sediments removed from the surface of the inner wall of the conduit (Z); i) sanitization of the duct (Z) by injecting a third fluid, carried out by a chemical product injection unit (9), in combination with the first injected fluid from step f); j) development of the flow of fluids along the extension of the conduit (Z) with the exit of suspended particles and sediments removed from the surface of the inner wall of the conduit (Z) through the second end of the conduit (z ). 14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the method also includes an unclogging step with: k) unclogging of the duct (Z) by injecting a second fluid into said duct (Z), carried out through an object injection unit (8), in combination with the first injected fluid, coming from step f) : a) step k) taking place after step h), or; b) steps k) and i) taking place simultaneously or separately after step h). 15. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the air received by the air filtration unit (5) comes from the external compressed air unit (2). 16. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the third fluid from the chemical injection unit (9) is a chemical product selected from the following: sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. 17. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the second fluid coming from the object injection unit (8) is ice or salt. 18.

Method according to claim 13, characterized in that each at least one air pocket (Y) includes a first fluid and a second fluid, or because it is formed by a first fluid and a third fluid, or a combination thereof. 19. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one cleaning cycle corresponds to the cleaning and sanitizing stages of the duct and has a duration of 5 seconds to 500 seconds. 20. Method according to claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the at least one cleaning cycle corresponds to the stages of cleaning, unclogging and sanitizing the duct and has a duration of 5 seconds to 500 seconds. 21. Method according to claims 13 to 20, characterized in that the values of the Air flow rates vary from 0.001 m3/s to 1 m3/s. 22. Method according to claims 13 to 20, characterized in that the water pressure values in the conduit vary from 2 bar to 30 bar. 23. Method according to claims 13 to 20, characterized in that the flow values of water passing through the conduit vary from 1 m3/h to 800 m3/h. 24. Method according to claims 13 to 20, characterized in that the pressure values of the air injected into the duct vary from 0.1 to 20 bar.