Pigging operation

How is pipeline pigging works? What the Heck is pipe pigging? How does pigging help the environment?

In pipeline transportation, pigging is the practice of using devices known as pigs or scrapers to perform various maintenance operations. This is done without stopping the flow of the product in the pipeline.

Precautions to be taken during pigging operations Wear standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). All personnel should minimize their exposure to the open launcher barrel. All involved in the pigging operation are to be advised when a pig is about to be launched and when the pig has been received. Never attempt to open the. The control room operator, in addition to being advised of pig launching and receiving, must be advised when a launcher or receiver is about to be purged and leak tested.

The Pig is propelled through piping , by water, product, or other gas or liquid and wipes the pipe walls to displace solids or liquids left in the pipe. A pigging operation is dangerous, as opening a pig trap closure while there is pressure in the barrel can shoot the pig out of the launcher at high speeds. Attempting to pass a pig through a partially open outlet valve, or prematurely opening the pig trap in the presence of high levels of toxic hydrogen sulfide, can have fatal consequences.

Brushes and scrapers on a cleaning pig remove dirt and scale from the pipeline walls. Brush and scraper pigs feature longitudinal boles, which pass through the body of the pig. The holes allow a flow of fluid through the pig to prevent the build-up of wax or debris in front of the pig. Operations may conduct pigging on a regular basis to clean solids, scale, wax buildup (paraffin), and other debris from the pipe wall to keep the pipeline flow efficiency high.

In addition to general cleaning, natural-gas pipelines use pigs to manage liquid accumulation and keep the pipe free of liquids. Mechanical interlocks take out the human factor of possible mistakes and guide the operator through a safe pre-determined sequence. Simple steps to securing a safe pigging operation To begin with, keys are used to unlock and open the vent and drain valve respectively. Once the pig is loaded and the vessel door is closed and locke. The electrical control system, operating on Vdc power, provides for automatic starting, acceleration to operating spee engine and driven compressor monitoring during operation.

Control system protects the turbine engine and the compressor from possible damage resulting from hazards such as engine overspee high engine temperature, low lubricating oil pressure, and excessive oil temperature. A form of flow assurance for oil and gas pipelines and flowlines, pipeline pigging ensures the line is running smoothly. The maintenance tool, pipeline pigs are introduced into the line via a pig trap, which includes a launcher and receiver.

Without interrupting flow, the pig is then forced through it by product flow,. Usually, the first application is when the contractor runs a cleaning pig to clean short sections of pipe to remove dirt and other construction debris that may be inside the pipe as the pipeline is being assembled. This system is housed at our Nottingham headquarters in the UK.

This enables us to quickly and easily deliver in-depth demonstrations to our clients of pigging system efficiency, effectiveness, capability and operation. Pigging is an integral part of pipeline construction.

One of the most critical operations in pigging is opening the closure, which provides access to the pig trap during both launch and recovery operations. When the closure door is opened during the insertion or removal of a pig, there is a risk of explosive gas-air mixture. Those without a routine pigging program 3.