What is a Pipeline Pig?
A pipeline pig is a maintenance tool used for a wide range of pipeline maintenance applications. Some of these include drying, cleaning, batching, product removal, liquid displacement, and other more complex pipeline pigging solutions. For example, cleaning pigs are designed to help maintain efficiency and control corrosion. Pipeline pigs for batching help prevent product contamination and mixing where there are multiple products in the line. Pigs used for displacement are designed to purge air to prepare for pipeline hydrostatic testing and remove water afterwards. These kinds of pipeline pigs also used to displace hydrocarbons before repair work and to recover natural gas liquids, along with inhibiting corrosion. Gauging pigs are used for pipeline inspection, to locate pipeline damage, defects and debris.
Types of Pipeline Pigs
The design and material of the pipeline pig depends on its intended purpose and the type of pipeline. Every pipeline is unique in its specifications, so there are many types of pipeline pigs that can help achieve the right pigging solution. Below is a summary of some of the most popular types used across a variety of industries.
Foam Pigs
A popular t ype of pipeline cleaning device, foam pigs are versatile because they can be used for a variety of applications and different types of pipelines. They are used for drying, cleaning, batching, and product removal operations. And because they are lightweight and flexible, foam pipeline pigs are able to negotiate uncommon piping, fittings, and valves. Standard sizes range from 2″ to 60″, with foam density options including light (1-2 lbs/ft3), medium (5-7 lbs/ft3), and heavy (8-10 lbs/ft3) density foam. Industries that commonly use foam pipeline pigs are the oil and gas, municipality, food and beverage, mining, chemical and petrochemical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.
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Common configurations include bare, criss-cross, wire-brush, plastic bristle, and silicon carbide. With various design options such as double-dish, double-nose, special coating patterns (single-spiral, turning pattern, totally coated, etc.), custom lengths and diameters, pulling/handling ropes or cables, bypass jets, and transmitter cavities. Special configurations can be designed for unique pipeline pigging applications.
Solid Cast Pipeline Pigs
Solid-cast pigs can be a good choice when an increased level of ruggedness and sealing capabilities are needed. These pipeline pigs have the same flexibility and handling advantage of foam pigs. The cups and discs found on steel pigs that are designed well can offer excellent sealing which makes these pigs very efficient as general purpose pipeline pigs for batching, displacement, and routine pipeline pigging operations. With the addition of brushes, they can also be used for pipeline cleaning applications. Various configurations are available, including spherical, cup-type, disc-type, and combination cup-and-disc type.
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Steel Mandrel Pigs
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. They are made with a steel mandrel body that has parts that can be replaced like cups and discs. These pigs can also be equipped with various brushes (spring-loaded, circular, wrap-around) for removing deposits on the interior pipeline wall. Standard configurations include cup, disc, multi-disc, conical cup, and various combinations. Various options are also available, such as adding or substituting a cup or disc, special lengths and diameters, gauging plates, articulated joints, transmitter cavities, and magnet packs. The advantage of steel pipeline pigs is the ability to replace the wearing components (cups, discs, brushes, etc.), thereby rendering it a new pig which can make them a cost-effective choice for long-term pipeline maintenance operations.
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Pigs Unlimited International LLC is a leader in pipeline pig manufacturing and carries a wide range of in-stock pipeline pigs, along with offering many customization options, complete custom pipeline pig design and building, and more.