Method of installing liner assembly for pipeline repair or reinforcement, and liner assembly and steam generator for same

1. A steam generator for use with a liner assembly for pipeline repair or reinforcement, the steam generator comprising:

a water heater configured to heat water to generate steam;

a water feed conduit configured to convey water to the water heater;

an air heater configured to generate heated air;

an air supply conduit configured to convey pressurized air to the air heater;

a heated air supply conduit configured to convey heated air from the air heater to the water heater to yield a steam-air mixture; and

an output conduit configured to convey the steam-air mixture from the water heater,

wherein the steam generator is powered by AC electrical mains, and

wherein the water heater comprises one or more electrically-powered heating elements.

2. The steam generator of claim 1 , further comprising a flow meter in fluid communication with the air supply conduit.

3. The steam generator of claim 2 , wherein the flow meter is configured to output a signal indicating a flow rate of the pressurized air.

4. The steam generator of claim 1 , further comprising a regulator valve for adjusting a pressure of the pressurized air.

5. The steam generator of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor or a temperature gauge in thermal communication with the output line conduit.

6. The steam generator of claim 1 , wherein the steam generator is portable.

7. The steam generator of claim 6 , wherein the steam generator is sized to be transported by a single individual.

8. The steam generator of claim 1 , wherein the air heater comprises one or more electrically-powered heating elements.

9. An automated steam generator system for use with a liner assembly for a pipeline section, the system comprising:

a steam generator configured to flow a steam-air mixture continuously through a bladder of the liner assembly inflated within the pipeline, the bladder being positioned within a tubular liner wetted with a curable compound, the steam generator comprising:

a temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the steam-air mixture entering the bladder, and

a flow rate meter measuring a flow rate of the of the steam-air mixture entering the bladder; and

a computing device in communication with the steam generator and comprising:

processing structure, and memory in communication with the processing structure and storing computer-readable code comprising instructions which, when executed by the processing structure, cause the computing device to:

calculate a time period sufficient for the tubular liner to cure based on:

 an amount of total heat required for curing, based on dimensional information of the tubular liner, and

 the measured flow rate and the measured temperature of the steam-air mixture; and

control the steam generator to flow the steam-air mixture through the bladder for the time period sufficient for the tubular liner to cure.

10. The system of claim 9 , further comprising an additional temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the steam-air mixture being discharged into the pipeline, and further comprising computer-readable code comprising instructions which, when executed by the processing structure, cause the computing device to:

calculate the time period further based on a difference between the temperature of the steam-air mixture entering the bladder and the temperature of the steam-air mixture being discharged into the pipeline.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the curable compound is an epoxy, and further comprising computer-readable code comprising instructions which, when executed by the processing structure, cause the computing device to:

calculate the time period further based on curing properties of the epoxy.