How does pipeline pigging work

Smart pigs, also known as inline inspection pigs, or inspection pigs are used in pipeline pigging for examining the inside of a pipeline to find problems and collect information. For example, smart pigs can be used to verify pipeline diameter and curvature, check pressure and temperature, and even identify thinning out or corrosion. Prior to the use of intelligent pigs, articulated pigs can be used to prove minimum bend radius.

Steel pipeline pigs are perfect for long-term use. They have a long-life and can be maintained easily, being ready to serve in any application where a pipeline pig is needed. Pipeline Pig Trackers and Pingers consist of a signal-emitting transmitter and hand-held receiver with signal-pickup wand.

The receivers utilize both audio and visual means to detect the presence of pigs in the pipeline. The receivers allow the operator to make adjustments and are used to track the progress of pigs during a pipeline run, or can be used to locate pigs within a run of pipeline in land or water applications, above or below ground. The Cameron TOM WHEATLEY check valves can be supplied with a lock-open lever, which allows the clapper to be locked in the open position and out of the flow of the pig so that it will not damage the sensors or valve body.

Generally, globe valves, butterfly valves, choke valves, and plug valves are not piggable unless a special pigging method or pig is used. The process fluid and the type of pipeline largely determine pig type and whether pipeline pigging is necessary. Proper valve selection is essential at the beginning of the pipeline construction process to ensure that pigging is possible if required.

Maintain and maximize your flowline efficiency with customized chemical cleaning services, technologies, and workflows. Premium content requires special account permissions. We need a little more information from you before we can grant you access.

Contact Us. Publication Date. Products Used. Article Topics. Show More Details. Spherical Pigs — Consist of hollow, spherical balls made from polyurethane or neoprene. Spherical pigs are mostly inflatable and filled with liquids such as glycol or water to retain their shape when exposed to the high pressures within gas pipelines.

Gel Pigs Gel pigs consist of chemical substances such as rigid polymers and high-viscosity gels. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn. We use cookies to personalize and enhance your experience on our site. Visit our Privacy Policy to learn more. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.

Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.

We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Pigs clean out pipes when buildup occurs and slows down movement inside, and prevent cracks or flaws from becoming disasters. Image Credit: Wikipedia.

Squeal: Why are they called pigs? However, these may back backronyms and there is another origin for the name. Early pigs were reportedly made with hay and barbed wire as well as leather. The resulting sound from pushing these pigs through the inside of the pipes is a noise that sounded like a squealing pig. There are reports that pigs still make still squeal due to the plastic on metal or metal on metal friction of them travelling down a pipe.

Ready for launch: How does a pig work? Once inside, the pigs can travel with the fluid or be pulled by a cable or other device if needed. Either way, flow is not usually interrupted while the pig is in use. Shaped like a cylinder or sphere, they run through, scraping or inspecting the inside of the pipes.

A variety of pigs: How many different types of pigs are there? At first, pigs were just used for cleaning, but as technology advanced, pigs became more advanced as well. Utility pigs are used for simple cleaning of lines, removing substances like wax and other buildup inside the pipes.