Tips On Loading A Pig Into Pipeline

By Helen Williams


In the course of maintaining pipelines, certain measures are taken. One of them is called pigging. This is whereby specially designed devices called pigs are used to execute various upkeep operations, without necessarily disrupting the normal flow of whatever product is inside the pipeline. Loading a pig into pipeline is usually used in activities such as cleaning as well as inspecting it.

Pigging, from a piping perspective, can be described as typically a process where pigs are used in performing various functions such as leak detection, inspections and cleaning. The pigs are inserted inside oversized sections called pig launchers or launching stations, and thereby reducing to regular diameter. The launchers are subsequently closed, and afterwards pressure-propelled flow of whatever medium inside the piping pushes the pigs through the pipes, all the way to the receiving traps.

For umpteenth years, pigging has usually been used in oil industries and other large plants to clean conduits especially those with large circumferences. Currently, there has been an upsurge in usage of smaller circumference pigging systems, across various batch plants and oil firms. This has been deemed as a move to revamp efficiency and also reduce overhead costs.

The pigs can also be used in paints blending, in cleaning pipes so that situations like cross-contamination are significantly avoided. They are also used in emptying pipes into respective product pipes. Under normal circumstances, pigging should be done during the end of every batch though at times it can be done in the middle of the batch, for instance in production of premixes which are intended to be used as intermediate products or components.

Using pigging has also proved to be very essential because it reduces instances of cross-contamination. It is additionally used during the process of emptying the products from the pipes. Normally, pigging should be done at the very end of the transferring process, though certain circumstances may compel it to be carried out amidst the process.

It should be noted that pigging measures should not be undertaken recklessly, carelessly or with people that have scanty knowledge on the intricacies involved. This is because cases of deaths and severe injuries resulting from mishandling the systems have been on the rise. Caution and experience is therefore paramount. There are many mistakes that may result in catastrophes, though the commonest one is whereby the closure openings are open and at the same time the vessel is under intense pressure.

In addition, an accident might occur if valves remain open before closure outlets are fully closed. It is also equally dangerous to leave closure outlets opened, even while the vessel has highly concentrated toxic substances or gases, which will eventually attract serious health complications.

All the above mentioned causes are majorly related to unorthodox and improper operations of process valves as well as closure doors. Adding valve interlocks is a very clever idea of combating these woes. Adherence to all safety procedures are core during this process, and therefore make sure that you carry out all various activities involved in the process very cautiously and knowledgeably. This is to ensure you remain safe, from the start to the end.




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