Methods and Systems for Coating and Sealing Inside of Piping Systems

Abstract

Methods and systems for cleaning, coating and sealing leaks in existing pipes, in a single operation. A piping system can be cleaned in one pass by dry particulates forced and pulled by air throughout the piping system by a generator and a vacuum. Pipes can be protected from water corrosion, erosion and electrolysis, extending the life of pipes such as copper, steel, lead, brass, cast iron piping and composite materials. Coatings can be applied to pipes having diameters up to approximately 6″. Leak sealants of at least approximately 4 mils thick can cover insides of pipes, and can include novel mixtures of fillers and epoxy materials, and viscosity levels. A positive pressure can be maintained within the pipes during applications. Piping systems can be returned to service within approximately 96 hours.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for profiling and cleaning interior surfaces of pipes, comprising:
 a compressed gas source for drying interior walls of the piping system; and   a cleaning source for profiling the interior walls of the dried piping system, wherein streaks, and discolorations caused by stains of mill scale, rust and old coatings remain on no more than approximately 33 percent of surface of the interior walls; and   a leak sealant source for coating the profiled interior walls with a coating.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the compressed air source includes:
 a pressurized air source for air drying the interior walls of the piping system.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning source:
 a dry abrasive agent introduced into the piping system by compressed air from a source outside of the piping system; and air flushing the piping system to remove any remaining residuals.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coating includes:
 an epoxy material having a viscosity range of approximately 1,200 cps to approximately 60,000 cps when measured at room temperature.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coating source includes:
 the generator for generating air with the coating into the piping system; and   a vacuum for simultaneously drawing the air and the coating through the piping system.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the coating source further includes:
 positive internal pressure maintained in the piping system while using the generated air with the vacuum, wherein the interior walls of the piping system are coated and the leaks sealed in one single pass through run.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the positive internal pressure includes:
 at least approximately 1.5 P.S.I. internal air pressure maintained over the interior walls of the piping system to achieve initial set of the coating.   
     
     
         8 . The coating of  claim 1 , wherein the coating further includes:
 positive airflow with a positive internal pressure maintained in the piping system while using generated air at one end of the piping system with a vacuum at another end of the piping system, wherein the interior walls of the piping system are coated and the leaks sealed in one single pass through run.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the positive pressure includes:
 at least approximately 1.5 P.S.I. internal air pressure maintained over the interior walls of the piping system to achieve initial set of the coating.   
     
     
         10 . A system for cleaning and coating interior walls of a piping system, comprising:
 a cleaning agent for cleaning interior walls of a piping system; and   a coating source for coating the interior walls with an epoxy material having a viscosity range of approximately 1,200 cps to approximately 60,000 cps when measured at room temperature.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the source includes:
 a compressed air generator for generating compressed air with the epoxy material into the piping system; and   a vacuum for simultaneously drawing the compressed air and the coating through the piping system.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 positive airflow with positive internal pressure maintained in the piping system while using the compressed air with the vacuum, wherein the interior walls of the piping system are coated and leaks sealed in one single pass through run.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the positive internal pressure includes:
 at least approximately 1.5 P.S.I. internal air pressure maintained over the interior walls of the piping system to achieve initial set of the coating.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 an air source for air drying the interior walls of the piping system.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a dry abrasive agent introduced into the piping system by compressed air from a source outside of the piping system, and air flushing the piping system to remove any remaining residuals.   
     
     
         16 . A system for cleaning and coating interior walls surfaces of piping systems, comprising the steps of:
 cleaning interior walls of a piping system;   introducing compressed air with a coating into the piping system; and   simultaneously drawing the compressed air and the coating through the piping system with a vacuum.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of
 providing positive airflow with positive internal pressure in the piping system while using the compressed air with the vacuum, wherein the interior walls of the piping system are coated and the leaks sealed in one single pass through run.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the positive internal pressure includes:
 at least approximately 1.5 P.S.I. internal air pressure maintained over the interior walls of the piping system to achieve initial set of the coating.