THERMOMECHANICAL COMPLEX FOR PROTECTION OF INNER SURFACE OF PIPE LINE WITH POLYMER MATERIAL Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: corrosion protection of pipe lines; increase of carrying capacity of pipe lines. SUBSTANCE: thermomechanical complex includes several interacting modules: cleaning module, turbogenerator, extruder with distributing unit and module separating polymer material from flow of gas. Modules are mounted on carriages with rubber-covered rollers which are mechanically linked with drives of extruder and cleaning unit; rate of their rotation is regulated by means of braking device with control unit. Motion and operation of thermomechanical complex are effected due to kinetic energy of flow of gas in pipe line. Thermomechanical complex enhanced operational characteristics of main pipe line due to application of polymer layer on its inner surface with no additional source of power. Provision is made for application of polymer layer on required sections of pipe line. Device is inserted into pipe line; kinetic energy of gas pumped through pipe line is converted into electric energy and kinetic energy for motion of device by means of turbogenerator. Granules of coat to be applied are carried by flow of gas in pipe line, entrapped by sieve-like cone and are delivered to extruder where they are softened by means of electric heaters, thus converting to viscous-flow state. Polymer material is applied on inner surface of pipe line by means of distributing device and is smoothed by means of smoothing unit. EFFECT: extended technological capabilities. 9 cl, 7 dwg