FR2582545A1 - A method for breaking up and for breaking up and removing various products, and particularly synthetic foams in cavity walls of buildings, or in other closed spaces, and the device for implementing this method - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and device for breaking up and removing synthetic foams and other products whether in cavity walls of buildings, or in other closed spaces. The invention relates to a method for breaking up foams, enclosed in closed spaces, by the action of jets of compressed air loaded with granulate, the waste being extracted by suction and removed by a cyclone 55 and a filter 57. The air used for breaking up is provided by a compressor 49 and dehydrated 50 before being charged with granulate 51 and transmitted to the breakdown head 9. The latter is guided by a hose 12 with oriented flexibility which can pivot like a compass inside the cavity walls. The reaction of the air jets emitted rearwards by the head contributes to propelling it towards the product 52 to be acted upon. The method and the device are particularly intended for extracting urea-formaldehyde from cavity walls where it exhibits drawbacks.

Description

THE INVENTION INVOLVES A "DESTRUCTURING" AND DF "DESTRUCTURATlON-EVACUATION" PROCESS OF VARIOUS PRODUCTS, AND
IN PARTICULAR DOUBLE WALLS SE'NTHETIC FOAMS
BUILDING, OR IN OTHER ENCLOSED SPACES, AND THE DEVICE
FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROCESS
For the past twenty years, a large number of houses and other buildings have been designed with perimeter walls comprising, from inside to inside a load-bearing wall, an air space, and a counter partition
They were subsequently isolated by injection, in the air space. an insulating product
In many cases, this insulating product consists of UREE-FORMOL foam
In many countries, including France, this product is very strongly criticized. It is even completely prohibited in certain places
Indeed, UREE-FORMOL foam is not a stable product
Under certain conditions, it gives off toxic gaseous fumes, which can cause allergic reactions and, possibly, increase the risk of cancer.
In addition, there have been numerous claims due to odor, or humidity or mold problems
Because of these disadvantages, which are detrimental. to the health of people, we are, and we will be, more and more led to remove these foams and. possibly replace them with other non-toxic insulating products
At present the removal of these foams, UREE
FORMOL or others, poses an extremely thorny problem
Indeed, the only known technique consists in
- The demolition of the partitions
- Product removal
- Reconstruction of the partitions
- The repair of wall coverings
This method . very expensive, requires the occupants to move during the works. This can cause them very significant non-pecuniary damage, especially in the case of the elderly
The present invention aims to remedy these difficulties. It relates, more specifically, to a process for destroying such filling products, without requiring the demolition of the walls
Another object of the invention is to simultaneously ensure the destructuring and evacuation of such lining products from the double partitions, and from all other more or less accessible spaces, without requiring the destruction or dismantling of the walls.
Another object of the invention is to provide an installation for implementing the method, as well as the various useful accessories and their procedure for use. The set covers the use of the process in all possible use cases in the fields of building, industry and other sectors.

To this end, the invention relates to a process for destructuring the product, foam or other, in double partitions or in any other enclosed space, characterized in that it consists in generating jets of compressed air emitted in before on the sides, and behind a destructuring head 9a, 9b, or 9c fixed to a compressed air pipe, the main guide means of which are described below.

For greater efficiency, the compressed air jets are loaded with aggregates, especially sand, when the product to be destructured requires it, and the walls can support it.

These compressed air jets, loaded with aggregates or not, destroy the product to be eliminated
A second characteristic of the process is the use of dehydrated air which is continuously recycled during the operation
A third characteristic of the process consists in the elimination of destructuring products by suction either at the level of the destructuring head or at the bottom of the cleared cavity.
A fourth characteristic of the process consists in propelling the destructuring head towards the product to be attacked, by the reaction of the air jets directed towards the rear, and its guidance by the carrier tube and possibly by a system of targets. acting by triangulation
The present invention also aims to provide an installation allowing the implementation of the process, this installation being very characteristic as it comprises, on the one hand a high-speed and high-pressure air compressor, a dehydrator, preferably by refrigeration, an air blasting device, a set of compressed air hoses, one of which is rigid and one of directed flexibility, a piece of guide for the pipe for its introduction into a double partition, and a set of destructuring heads, on the other hand, a suction tube for destructuring waste, a cyclone with a device for evacuating this waste. an air filter to perfect the work of the cyclone, and a vacuum cleaner as well as two valve boxes intended to limit the overpressures and depressions at the level of the working cavity and between the vacuum cleaner and the compressor during the recycling of the air n other features and advantages of the process and of the installation in accordance with the invention will emerge on reading the description given below, by way of indication but not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings on which
- Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal view in section of a simple destructuring head, it is accompanied by a schematic front view of the same head
- Figure 2 is a schematic longitudinal view in section of a rotary destructuring head with fins, it is accompanied by a schematic front view of this same head
- Figure 3 is a schematic longitudinal view in section of a rotary destructuring head actuated by a pneumatic turbine
- Figure 4 shows an insulated wall composed of a load-bearing brick wall, a layer of foam and a partition, the foam being accessible from above, it is being destructured thanks to a rigid tube which carries the head .

- Figure 5 shows schematically the plan of attack of a foam in double partition thanks to a tube with directed flexibility
- Figure 6 shows schematically the plane of destructuring of foam in a double partition by guiding the head by triangulation using cables.

Figure 7 shows a cross section of an oriented flexible pipe
- Figure 8 schematically shows a perspective view of the section of Figure 7
FIG. 9 represents a cross-sectional schematic view of an ordinary compressed air hose included in a oriented flexible sheath
- Figure 10 shows a schematic longitudinal view of Figure 9 Figul-s 11 shows a schematic view, n cross section. two ordinary compressed air hoses included in a flexibly oriented duct.

Figure 12 shows a schematic longitudinal view of Figure 11
- Figure 13 shows a schematic longitudinal view, in section, of the pipe guide part
Figure 14 shows a front view of the pipe guide piece
-] a figure 15 represents the overall diagram of the destructuring installation
In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the reference 1 designates the orifices through which the air, and possibly the aggregates, are projected forward onto the product to be destroyed in order to attack it g and the reference 2 designates the orifices directed towards the sides and the rear and by which the air, and possibly the aggregates, are projected on the sides and backwards to perfect the destructuring work and to propel the destructuring head forward. For this, all of the reactions of all the air jets on the head must form a sufficiently large result directed towards the front.
On the rotary heads (ref. 9b and 9c) the orifices of the rear air jets ref. 2 are, in addition, directed in such a way that their reaction has not only a resultant directed forwards, but also a resultant perpendicular to the axis of the head and not passing through it (and the resulting form of torque on these two figures, the reference 3 design of the fins making it possible to mechanically attack the product to be destroyed during the rotation of the head. These fins can be replaced by grooves or by asperities the reference 4 represents a lip seal ensuring the sealing between the fixed part 5 and the movable head b of the head L, reference 7 designates the abutment, ball or friction, which ensures easy rotation of the movable part of the head
The reference 8 designates, in FIG. 3 only, the air turbine, or possibly in word them electric or a hydraulic turbine, ensuring the rotation of the movable part of the head. This rotation driven by the torque of the reaction air jets (ref. 2e or with the action of the turbine (ref. 8), allows the fins (ref. 3) asperities or grooves to mechanically attack the product to be destroyed
In addition to the propulsion by the reaction of the jets, the head is directed by the carrier tube (ref. 12) or a triangulation system by cables (ref. 27 and 28)
In certain particular cases, notably in the case of a double partition open in its upper part in FIG. 4 the head (reference 9) can simply be fixed to a rigid tube (reference 10) which allows perfect guidance
The destructuring products are then sucked, in parallel, by a tube (reference 11>
In the general case (Figure 5), the head (reference 9) is fixed to a pipe whose bending can only take place in one plane (reference 12). Several types of these so-called directed bending tubes are described below.
In the thin space existing between two partitions (fig. 5) the flexibly oriented tube (ref. 12) allows, using a rotary guide (ref. 13) described below, to run the head of destructuring, from a small diameter hole. a spiral allowing to release a large surface of foam or other product
We can thus intervene step by step by moving the device in the order of the holes 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 19, 20, 21, 22 ... by a progression similar to that used for the injection of foams, and thus release all of the volumes to be treated
The destructuring products are then aspirated, either at the level of the destructuring head (ref 9> by a tube parallel or concentric to the compressed air tube or at the base of the cavity released at points 14, 23 24, 25 .. .. by a tube (ref. 11).

A third guiding principle consists in introducing fig.6) the destructuring head <ref.9> and its tube of air intake sref.12) into a hole (ref.26> located towards the middle of the height of the partition, and to fix them by
a guide (ref. 27) has a cable (ref. 28) passing through two
holes located, one at the top short.29), and the other at the bottom
(ref.3O) of the partition
The destructuring head is fixed to the cable (ref. 28) by the guide (ref. 27? In which the tube
(ref. 12) can slide freely forward under the effect of the reaction of the air jets
By triangulation, by raising and lowering the cable
(ref. 28), and progressing from holes 26-29-30, to holes 31--32-33, 34-35-36, etc ... the head can cover the whole
partition
The destructuratiion products are then sucked up by the
holes 30, 33, 36
A first type of oriented flexible hose 12a (fig. 7 and
fig. 8) is constituted by a compressed air tube comprising inside, two diametrically opposite shoulders
(ref. 37) each of which has a groove (ref. 38).
grooves is inserted a flexlble steel blade (ref. 39)
possibly perforated to ensure pressure balance
This blade is preferably; wider than the diameter of the flexible tube which then takes an elliptical section of
so that, during use, the pressure tends to reinforce the hold of the blade in the grooves
A second type of oriented bending tube 12b and 12c (fig. 9-10 10-12> consists of one or more ordinary compressed air tubes (ref. 40) included in a sheath with oriented flexibility (ref. 41) .

This sheath is produced in a flexible steel blade divided into strips, one in two is cut into small strips
(ref.4la) perpendicular to the axis of these bands, so that. by stamping, the strips of strips (ref. 41a) are transformed into tubular spaces, one strip out of two being transformed into a semicircle emerging from one of the
sides of the blade, the other lamellae in semicircles emerging on the other face of the blade, thanks to which one or more tubular spaces are obtained, located between flexible steel strips (ref.41b) ensuring flexibi
unilateral lity of the sheath formed
To rotate and direct the tube 12 in the double partitions, a rotary guide 13 (fig.13 and fig.14) is used which includes a fixed part (ref. 42) fitting into the partition. Depending on the thickness of the latter, the penetration of the fixed part tréf.49) is limited by an adjustable ring (ref. 43). A bent tube <ref. 44) pivots in the fixed part in which it is held by a flange (ref. 45) blocked by the part (ref. 46).

A handle (ref. 47) is attached to the tube so that it can rotate. At each end of the tube is fixed a cover (ref. 48) whose opening corresponds to the section of the bending tube oriented so as to control the orientation of its bending direction.

To avoid that the volume to be released undergoes deformations due to overpressures or too strong depressions it is planned to put, parallel to the suction pipe a box with adjustable valves
Figure 15 shows the entire work cycle.

The compressor (ref. 49) generates large quantities of air at high pressure. This air is cooled and dried in a dehydrator (ref. 50) preferably by refrigeration.

It can, if necessary, be loaded with granules or sand by a sandblaster (ref. 51), then it arrives in the flexible hose oriented (ref. 12) which leads it to the destructuring head (ref. W9 ). The hose assembly with oriented flexibility (ref. 12) and pivoting guide (ref. 13) directs the head towards the product to be destructured (ref. 52j
A valve box (ref.53) limits overpressures and depressions in the cavity to be released (ref.54).

A suction pipe (ref. 11) evacuates the destruct uration products which accumulate at the bottom of the cleared cavity. The possibility is provided of suction pipes parallel or concentric to the air supply tube sucking the waste as soon as it is produced.
The charged air then arrives in a cyclone (ref. 55) or the bulk of the waste falls into a container which can be a bag (ref. 56). The air then passes through a filter (ref. 57) before arriving in the vacuum cleaner <ref. 58)
The air is then: either rejected or recycled to the compressor. In this case a valve box (ref. 59) allows the compressor to continue to supply air even if the vacuum cleaner does not supply, and allows the air from the vacuum cleaner to be released when the compressor is stopped .

I1 is also expected that the compressor suction acts as a vacuum cleaner. This simplifies the circuit
Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown, for which we can provide other variants without departing from the scope of the appended claims

Claims (15)

 1. Method of destructuring and destructuring evacuation of certain products. especially synthetic foam, such as UREE-FORMOL double wall foam for buildings. or in other enclosed spaces, or almost enclosed spaces, according to which the product is destructured by means of high pressure dry air jets emitted by a destructuring head carried by a compressed air supply tube, and having air jets directed forwards towards the sides, and towards the rear, these jets carrying out, at the same time, the destructuring and the propulsion of the head towards the front, the evacuation of waste being carried out by aspiration  2 .Process according to claim 1 characterized in that there is introduced into the jets of compressed air aggregates, in particular sand. in order to reinforce the attack effect on the most resistant products  3. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the effect of the air jets is enhanced by the mechanical action of a rotary destructuring head provided with fins, asperities or grooves which, during rotation, attack the product have destructuring  4. Process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the destructuring products are separated from the air sucked up in a cyclone, and that this operation is completed by filtration before returning this air to a compressor  5. The process as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that dried air is recycled which, after having been sucked into the cavity. is returned to the compressor to be re-injected under pressure for destructuring  6. Device for carrying out the method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5. characterized in that it comprises a specific destructuring installation comprising: a high-flow, high-pressure compressor (ref. 49), a dehydrator, preferably refrigerant, (ref. 50), a sandblaster (ref. 51) for injecting aggregates or sand into the compressed air flow, an air hose with oriented bending (ref. 12), a rotating guide piece. (ref. 13) for the previous pipe, a set of simple destructuring heads (ref. 9a) and rota tires (ref. 9b and 9c), a suction pipe (ref. 11), a cyclone (ref. 55) , an air filter (ref. 57), a vacuum cleaner (ref. 58), and two boxes with flap valves 53 and 59)  7. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the destructuring of the foams or other products is obtained by means of high pressure air jets emitted by a destructuring head (ref. 9) guided in the space to be released  8. Device according to claims 5, 6, and 7 characterized in that it comprises simple destructuring heads (ref. 9a) of cylindrical shape terminated towards the front by a spherical cap and having jets turned towards the front (ref .1) to attack the product to be destructured and jets arranged at an angle towards the rear trefoil 2) to perfect the destructuring of the product to be removed, and such that the set of reactions of all the jets gives, on the head a resultant force directed forward and sufficient to pull the entire head and pipe forward.  9. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that it comprises rotary, destructuring heads <ref. 9b and 9c> provided on the front with roughness, grooves or fins (ref. 3) and rotating around their axis driven by the reaction of the air jets forming a torque or under the action of an air turbine internal (ref. 8) internal to the head, and supplied by the air before it passes through the jets, or driven by a hydraulic turbine or by an electric motor, the energy of which is supplied parallel to the compressed air pipe  10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the destructuring head is carried by a tube with oriented flexibility (ref. 12 12> (the bending of its axis of symmetry can only be done in one Plan) for carrying and maneuvering the destructuring head (ref. 9). This unilateral flexibility allows the tube to pivot in a thin space, like a compass, under the impulse of a rotating guide piece (ref. 13).  11. Device according to Claim 10, characterized in that the tube with oriented flexibility (ref.loa) has two internal grooves (ref.38> diametrically opposite in which is inserted a flexible steel blade (ref.39), possibly perforated to ensure the balance of pressures, this blade being preferably wider than the diameter of the flexible tube which then takes an ellipsoidal section, so that, during use, the pressure tends to reinforce the holding of the blade in the grooves  12 .Device according to claim 10 characterized in that the tube with directed flexibility (ref.l2b and 12c) consists of one or more ordinary tubes (rez.40) taken in a sheath with directed flexibility (ref.41>  13 .A device according to claim 12 characterized in that the oriented flexible sheath is produced in a steel blade divided into strips, one in two of which is sectioned into small strips (ref.41a> perpendicular to the axis of these strips, so that by stamping the strips of lamellae are transformed into tubular spaces, one lamella in two being transformed into a semicircle emerging from one of the faces of the blade, the other lamellae into semicircles emerging on the other face of the blade, thanks to which one or more tubular spaces are obtained located between flexible steel blades (ref.4lb), ensuring unilateral flexibility of the formed sheath  14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a rotary guide part (ref. 13) for pivoting the flexi pipe, this part being constituted by a fixed sleeve (ref. 42) adjustable in faith for the thickness of the partition thanks to a movable ring (ref. 43), and a curved tube (ref. 44), held in the fixed part by a flange (ref. 46). and can pivot inside the fixed part. on this tube. the ends of which are terminated by lids (ref. 48) having an opening in the section of the flexible pipe oriented. is fixed a handle (ref. 47) allowing to rotate it  15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims. characterized in that it comprises a guide (ref. 27) which is fixed to a cable (ref. 28) in the middle so that by introducing the guide, in which slide the tube carrying the destructuring head, in a hole located in the middle of the partition (ref. 26), and the cable ends in holes located at the top (ref. 29) and at the bottom (ref. 30> of the partition, we can, by triangulation, make sweep the entire cavity to be treated with the destructuring head