Development and performance evaluation of a self-degradable hydrogel for urban gas pipeline plugging

The increasing expansion of urban gas pipeline networks in China has heightened the need for effective and environmentally friendly plugging solutions. Traditional mechanical plugging methods often result in incomplete sealing, high costs, and potential damage to pipeline integrity. To overcome these problems, the project seeks to create a self-degrading hydrogel for the temporary plugging of pipes, based on acrylic acid, acrylamide, and PA-1 as crosslinkers, along with using ammonium persulfate and sodium bisulfite as a redox initiator system. Single-factor experiments were used to examine how factors like polymer concentration, enzyme concentration, crosslinker concentration and temperature influence the gel strength, the time to gel, and when the gel breaks down. Optimized formula accelerated Gelation and completely degraded the gel at normal or heated room temperature. Applying 50 kPa pressure, the gel was able to maintain a seal, showing this material is suitable for medium- and low-pressure pipes. The research discoveries point to this new gel, which is eco-friendly and cost-effective, as a prospective medicine for gas pipeline repair and use in gas storage and transportation. Improving the gel’s effectiveness in different jobs and making it ready for mass industrial application should be the main goals of upcoming research.