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Pipeline pigging ensures smooth and safe operations, reducing downtime and preventing costly damages. Our guide on the types of pipeline pigs will help you select the best option for your needs. Let’s dive in and optimize your pipeline maintenance.
What is a Pipeline Pig?
A pipeline pig is a tool used in pipeline maintenance to clean, inspect or make repairs to pipelines. The tool is called a pig because it travels through the pipeline like a pig through a hog house, with the pig being the water cleaner.
Why pipelines are pigged
Pigging is considered one of the most crucial aspects of cleaning industrial pipes to maintain pipelines. Pipelines are pigged for several reasons, including:
- Maintenance and cleaning: Pigs are used to clean the interior of pipelines, removing any buildup or deposits that can reduce flow efficiency or cause corrosion.
- Inspection: Pigs equipped with sensors and tools are used to inspect pipelines for damage, corrosion, cracks, and other anomalies.
- Flow management: Pigs can be used to separate different batches of product in the pipeline, or to help improve the flow of product.
- Commissioning: Pigs are used to test and commission new pipelines before they are put into service.
- Calibration: Caliper pigs are used to measure the diameter and shape of pipelines, allowing for precise calibration and ensuring the pipeline is fit for purpose.
Pipeline pigging is often performed as a preventative measure to ensure that pipelines are operating efficiently and safely, and to identify and address any potential problems early on.
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Choosing the Right Pipeline Pigs for Efficient Maintenance
The Pig selection process is often critical to achieving the desired result. There are different types of pipelines used in pipelines pigging.
1. Utility Pigs
Utility pipeline pigs are devices used in the maintenance and inspection of pipelines. They are called “pigs” because they squeal as they move through the pipeline. These pigs are inserted into the pipeline and use various methods, such as brushes or sensors, to clean the pipeline or gather data about its condition. They are an important tool in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of pipelines for transporting oil, gas, and other materials.
When used for pipeline cleaning, a utility pig moves through the pipeline, using brushes or other mechanisms to scrape off debris and semi-solids that can obstruct or limit the flow of hydrocarbons.
- Cleaning pigs: remove debris, sediment, and other materials that can accumulate in pipelines and impede the flow of substances. Typically, these pigs are equipped with brushes, scrapers, or other cleaning mechanisms to remove debris from the interior walls of pipelines, making cleaning pigging an effective solution for maintaining pipeline efficiency.
- Sealing Pigs: The sealing pipeline pig prevents substances from leaking out of pipelines and prevents air and moisture from entering. Typically, these pigs are made of rubber or polyurethane for effective sealing.
- Foam pigs: Foam pipeline pig is a type of utility pig used in pipelines for cleaning and batching. A foam pig, usually polyurethane foam, conforms to the shape of the pipeline and is lightweight and flexible. It is often difficult for traditional metal pigs to navigate pipelines with tight bends or restrictions. Depending on pipeline contamination, they can also be used for light cleaning. In order to maintain pipeline integrity and efficiency, foam pipeline pigs are used.
- Solid cast pigs: Pipeline pigs made from solid cast can be used to maintain and inspect pipelines. These pigs are typically made of a single piece of solid material, such as polyurethane or steel, and do not have any moving parts. The solid cast pig is very effective at removing debris, sediment, and other materials that can accumulate in pipelines and impede the flow of substances. In addition to pipeline batching, they are used for gauging.
- Spherical pigs or spheres: Spheres are typically inflatable and can be filled with liquids such as glycol or water to retain their shape when exposed to the high pressures within gas pipelines. As they move through the pipeline, they effectively remove debris, sediment, and other materials that can accumulate in the pipeline and impede the flow of substances through it
- Mandrel Pigs: Mandrel pigs, also known as solid-body pigs or criss-cross pigs, are a type of pipeline pig used for pipeline cleaning. These pigs are typically made of a solid, cylindrical body with fins or discs on either end to help maintain a central position within the pipeline. Mandrel pigs are often used when traditional cleaning pigs may not be effective.
2. Inspection Pigs
Inspection pigs are tools that are used to inspect the interior of pipelines for various purposes such as identifying corrosion, cracks, deformations, deposits, or measuring wall thickness.
- Caliper pigs:This pig is used to determine if there is any change in the diameter of the pipeline as a result of corrosion or any other issues that are affecting it.
- Magnetic flux leakage pigs: Use magnetic fields to detect corrosion, cracks, and other metal loss in the pipeline.
Ultrasonic pigs: Use high-frequency sound waves to detect corrosion, wall thinning, and other pipeline issues. - Geometry pigs: Check the pipeline for deformations and other problems by measuring its shape and size.
- Piggyback pigs: It is used to perform multiple inspections at the same time when combined with other pigs.
Smart pigs pipeline: In order to provide comprehensive pipeline inspection data, the “smart pigs uses advanced technologies, such as ultrasonic sensors, magnetic flux leakage detectors, and other sensors.
3. Gel Pigs
Gel pipeline pigs, also known as gel pigs, are a type of pipeline pig used for cleaning and inspecting pipelines. These pigs are made of a gel-like material that is injected into the pipeline and then cured or solidified in place.
Using them removes debris, sediment, and other materials that can clog pipelines. In addition to pipeline batching, they can be used for maintenance. The gel pig is injected into the pipeline using a launcher and moved through it by the flow of fluid. They effectively remove contaminants and deposits from pipeline walls as they move through them.
Conclusion
Pipeline pigs play a crucial role in maintaining and inspecting pipelines, ensuring they operate efficiently and safely. By understanding the different types of pipeline pigs and their specific uses, you can select the right tools for your pipeline maintenance needs. For expert assistance and high-quality pipeline pigging solutions, contact Flowmore pipeline cleaning services today.
