Pipeline Robots in Heat Network Water Loss Control

The safe operation of the heating network is the top priority of the heating system. How can we ensure the safe operation of the network during the heating season? It is necessary to eliminate safety hazards before the heating season begins. Every winter, pipe burst accidents frequently occur in the heating network, leading to significant losses each time. The underlying reasons include undetected issues such as network corrosion, leakage, compensator aging, which result in accidents. These minor leaks, defects, and slight compensator cracks are difficult to detect with existing methods. Therefore, it is essential to adopt more advanced detection methods and technologies to meet the current needs for heating network inspections.

Composition and Working Principle of Pipeline Robot

CCTV Pipeline Robots are a complete internal inspection system for pipelines, consisting of a cable reel, guiding vehicle, camera, control unit, main monitoring display, etc. Based on the CCTV Pipeline Robots propulsion method, they can be divided into electric and manual types. Their working principle involves inserting the CCTV Pipeline Robots into the heating network to detect internal scaling, blockage, corrosion, cracks, and compensator positioning information. The cable transmits video footage and data in real-time to the monitoring host. The data is processed and analyzed by professional software, evaluating internal pipeline issues and defects to understand the true condition of the network. This provides scientific support for developing subsequent solutions, playing a positive role in the treatment of network hazards and pipe burst prevention.

Application Environment and Conditions of Pipeline Robot

CCTV Pipeline Robots, despite their notable advantages, are also limited by various conditions, working conditions, and environments. The main application conditions are as follows:

a. The accumulated water inside the pipeline must not exceed 20% of the pipeline liquid level; b. The pipeline should not have excessive sludge, scaling, or debris; c. Both ends of the pipeline should be perforated and purged to minimize atomization; d. The risks and hazards of perforations may pose future threats.

Pipeline Robot's Detection Ideas and Process

Detection Ideas

CCTV Pipeline Robots' specific detection ideas include identifying suspicious pipelines through water sound detection or valve closure based on the network's make-up water and pressure retention conditions and inspection needs. After removing valves or perforating pipelines, followed by high-pressure water cleaning and purging, the Pipeline Robots are inserted into the network to inspect the internal pipeline conditions. The data is transmitted in real-time to the display, processed and analyzed by software to evaluate network defects.

This type of robot is commonly used and not for pressurized operations. For pressurized Pipeline Robots, the process is less complicated but still requires perforation or use of fire hydrants to enter the network for detection. However, due to high costs, there have been no application cases in China to date.

Detection Process

The CCTV Pipeline Robots detection process should be flexible depending on the network's sludge, dryness, age, and inspection needs and should not be rigidly applied or executed blindly.