Components

The pigging system/product recovery system required some key components associated with the operation of the pigging system. Our pigging systems are designed to provide optimum benefits and cost balance for clients. Without sacrificing operator safety or utility.

1. Pipeline Pig

The purpose of the technology is to recover or remove residual remaining in the pipelines. This is achieved by using a specialist projectile (Pipeline Pig). The pipeline pig is an integral part of a pigging system. A “pig” is a tool that is sent down a pipeline and propelled by the pressure of the product flow in the pipeline itself.

2. Piggable Pipe

For the pigging process, special seamless pipes are used as the internal diameter of the pipe is the most crucial part of the system. A pipe is inspected to minimise defects like ovality, surface dents or dimensional defects. For the smoother operation of pig, various polishing operations are performed on the internal diameter of the pig

3. Valves

In a pigging system, valves are used for mainly two reasons:

1. To isolate the piggable pipeline.
2. To redirect the flow in the pipeline.

Piggable valves are specially designed to have a bore of the same size as the pipeline that it is attached to, so that pig can pass through without any obstructions, when fully opened.

The pigging system involves mainly 3 types of piggable valves:
1. 2Way Piggable Ball Valve
2. 3Way Piggable Ball Valve
3. T Port Valve

4. Bend

Piggable long radius bends are specially fabricated to provide smooth pig passage with minimal increase in pressure requirements. Piggable bends can be provided for any pipe size, schedule, and material construction. Piggable bends are specially fabricated to meet stringent ovality tolerances. Elbows are provided with a straight face on each end to guarantee a smooth transition of the pig through the elbow.

5. Tee

The Piggable Tee is designed in such a way that they allow pigs to pass through. The Piggable Tee provides supply and discharge points in the pigged transfer line. The design of the piggable tee assures smooth passage of the pig through the tee without hang-up in the tee branch and minimizes residual product trapped in the tee branch’s dead leg.

6. Pig Detector

A pig detector is a sensing tool used to detect the movement of a pig in a pipeline during pigging operations. The detector is installed on the exterior of the pipe and consists of an indicator (such as a LED light) that alerts operators to the pig’s proximity.

The pig detector is the most important sensor for the automation of the system.

Pig detectors are usually placed near the launching and receiving stations, and they are useful for confirming the progress of the pig through the pipeline.

7. Welding Sleeve

To maintain the surface ID of a piggable pipeline, welding of two pipelines is done differently.

Instead, if two pipes are welded directly, it can lead to damage to the ID surface at the welding region, hence the Pigging system uses welding sleeves.

Welding sleeves allows making weld joints on the outer surface of the pipe without any structural loss or leakage in the pipeline. It also helps to make a joint structure stronger than a direct joint.