Methods and systems for sealing a premise-side pipe

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for sealing at least one leak in at least one of at least one premise-side pipe and a premise-side pipe network, the method including passing at least one of a pig train and a sealant composition under pressure along at least one of said premises-side pipeline and at least part of said premises-side pipe network such that a portion of the sealant composition enters at least one leakage site to seal and cure the at least one leak on said premise-side.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for sealing at least one leak in at least one of a premise-side pipe and at premise-side pipe network, the method comprising:
 a. activating a pressure control system for controlling a pressure in said premises-side pipe network, the pressure control system comprising at least one flow meter configured to measure a liquid flow rate and at least one valve for controlling said pressure; and   b. passing at least one gel pig and a sealant composition comprising fibers under pressure along the premise-side pipe and at least part of said premises-side pipe network such that a portion of said at least one gel pig and said sealant composition flows at said pressure and enters said at least one leakage site to seal said at least one leak.   
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said leak is in said premise-side pipe network. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 25 , further comprising passing said at least gel pig and said sealant composition from a premise-side pipe into all of said premises-side pipe network. 
     
     
         28 . A method for sealing a leak in a premise-side pipe network, the method comprising:
 a. activating a pressure control system for controlling a pressure in said premises-side pipe network, the pressure control system comprising at least one flow meter configured to measure a liquid flow rate and at least one valve for controlling said pressure; and   b. passing at least one gel pig and a sealant composition comprising fibers under pressure along a first pipeline to said premises-side pipe network at said pressure such that a portion of said at least one of a pig train and a sealant composition enters at least a part of said premises-side pipe network to a location of said leak to seal said leak.   
     
     
         29 . A method for sealing a leak at a leakage site in a premise-side pipe, the method comprising:
 a. activating a pressure control system for controlling a pressure in said premises-side pipe network, the pressure control system comprising at least one flow meter configured to measure a liquid flow rate and at least one valve for controlling said pressure; and   b. passing at least one gel pig and a sealant composition comprising fibers under pressure along a premises-side pipeline such that a portion of said at least one gel pig and said sealant composition enters said premises-side pipeline from outside said premises at said pressure; and   c. allowing said portion to reach said leak site and to seal said leak.   
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the premises-side pipeline and said premises-side pipe network are adapted to convey a fluid selected from the group consisting of water, gas, a heating fluid a cooling fluid and a drain pipe. 
     
     
         31 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said at least one gel pig comprise one gel pig. 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 31 , wherein said at least one gel pig comprises at least two gel pigs. 
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 32 , wherein said pig train further comprises a sealant composition. 
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 33 , wherein said sealant composition further comprises chips. 
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said at least one gel pig and said sealant composition is at a temperature of 4-50° C. 
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 33 , wherein said sealant composition comprises:
 a. a hardener;   b. optionally, a resin;   c. an elastic material; and   d. a polycondensate material.   
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 36 , wherein said at least one gel pig comprises:
 a. a cellulosic polysaccharide; and   b. water.   
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 36 , wherein said at least one gel pig further comprises boric acid. 
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said leak is selected from the group consisting of a hole, a crack, a corroded section and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 39 , wherein said leak loses 0.05-5000 l/hr of said fluid. 
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 25 , further comprising sealing at least one leak in said pipeline. 
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 25 , further comprising sealing a plurality of leaks in a plurality of pipes. 
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said pressure is in a range of 0.4-10 bar. 
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein said seal is formed in less than three hours after reaching said leak.