METHOD OF CLEANING THE INNER SURFACE OF A PIPE AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD

摘要

The proposed method of cleaning the inner surface of a pipe involves pumping a working liquid through the pipe to be cleaned (10), subjecting the inner surface of the pipe (10) to a hydraulic shock wave triggered by an electrical discharge created by a device (6) for maintaining a spark gap, the device advancing along the inside of the pipe as it is cleaned. The optimal voltage for the electrical discharge is determined. The proposed device for cleaning the inner surface of a pipe comprises a pulsed power source (1) whose positive terminal is connected to one electrode of the device (6), the said electrode being formed by an insulated core (7) of a two-core cable in the pipe (10). The negative terminal of the source (1) is connected to the second electrode of the device (6) which is formed by the other core (8) of the cable. The invention is intended principally for use in cleaning pipes in heat exchange systems.