The Process of Cleaning and Maintaining Pipelines
The
process of cleaning and maintaining pipelines is often referred to as
‘pigging.’ Basically this process is used to remove dirt and debris left inside
a pipe during construction. Pigs can also be used during the testing stage to
ensure that all air has been removed from the pipelines. By pigging your pipeline
you can prevent corrosion, caused by trapped products like sand, wax and
hydrates, whilst also increasing the efficiency flow of your product through
the pipeline. In this article we will talk you through the process of cleaning
and maintain pipelines.
Why is it called pigging?
There
are many theories surrounding the name that was given to this process of
cleaning and maintain pipelines. Some people believe that PIG simply stands for
‘pipeline intervention gadget.’ Others believe that it was named after the
squealing noise that traditional pigs (made from bound leather) made when they
were pushing debris out of pipelines. Either way, the name certainly seems to
have stuck!
Different types of pigging
There
are many different types of pigs available. Utility pigs are used to clean
pipelines and separate products to increase efficiency. They can also be used
to de-water pipelines after they have undergone hydrostatic testing. Inspection
pigs are designed to provide information on the condition of a pipeline. They
can be used to help locate problems such as corrosion which can have a
detrimental effect on the longevity of pipelines. By locating the problem
early, it can be fixed using a utility pig, preventing permanent damage. Special
duty pigs are the final category of pigs. These are devices like plugs which
are used to isolate pipelines so that maintenance work can be carried out
successfully.
How does pigging work?
Basically
pigging works by inserting a device with wiping discs (known as the pig) into a
pig launcher which is usually shaped like the letter Y. The device is then
propelled from the source to the destination either with air, nitrogen or some
form of cleaning liquid. The pig then pushes out trapped product and cleans the
pipe walls.
Benefits of pigging
Pipeline cleaning helps
to improve the flow of its contents and increase the systems longevity. Pipelines are the most efficient method of transporting
fluids across distances and are therefore very valuable investments to
companies. Carrying out regular cleaning and maintenance helps to keep
pipelines in the best condition possible so that they are able to continue to
do their jobs and provide a great return on investment for the pipeline owners.
Cleaning
and maintaining a pipeline can also provide significant cost savings as it
helps to recover products that that have become trapped in pipelines. By
preventing the pipe from blocking, pigging saves the owners no end of money
which would otherwise have had to be spent on repairing a cracked or damaged
pipe. Pigging pipes can also lower associated safety risks, which is most
certainly a number one priority.
When it’s best to carry out
pigging
It can
be difficult to determine how often pipelines need cleaning, as it really
depends on their contents. Some gas pipelines may never need pigging, whereas
oil lines will need pigging quite frequently. The reason for this is that oil
lines often suffer from a build-up of wax. The wax needs flushing out or it may
cause blockages and affect the efficiency of a pipeline. If you are unsure of
how often you need to clean your pipelines it is best to get in contact with a
reputable pigging provider. They will be able to advise you further as they
will be able to evaluate your pipelines based on their construction and
contents.
Image
credits: Perryklein & Arthur Chapman
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