What Is Pipeline Pigging (System)?

How Does Pipeline Pigging Work?

In the sanitary field, pigging a pipeline usually refers to cleaning pipelines and recovering products in industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care products. The goal is to ensure hygiene standards, product quality, and efficient production processes.

Pipeline pigging procedure in the sanitary fields follows a similar process as in other industries, with some specific considerations:

1. Preparation: The pipeline section to be pigged is isolated, and pig launchers and receivers are used. Special attention is given to maintaining sanitary conditions throughout the pigging process to prevent contamination.
2. Pig insertion: The sanitary pig, or scraper ,typically made of food-grade or pharmaceutical-grade materials, is inserted into the pipeline through the launcher. It is propelled by the product flow or compressed air.
3. Cleaning: Sanitary pigs are designed to remove product residue, contaminants, and buildup from the pipeline walls. They have soft or flexible materials, or scraping elements to ensure thorough cleaning without damaging the pipeline surface.
4. Rinse and flush: After the cleaning process, the pipeline is thoroughly rinsed and flushed with clean water or appropriate sanitizing agents to remove any remaining traces of the pig and ensure sanitation.
5. Another pigging cycle: The pig is waiting in the launcher for subsequent pigging cycles.

Regular pigging pipelines in the sanitary fields helps maintain hygienic conditions, prevent cross-contamination, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. It improves product quality, reduces the risk of product recalls, and enhances the overall efficiency of the manufacturing process. Additionally, Hyperfore pigging can minimize product loss, optimize yield, and reduce the amount of waste generated during production.

Pigging Components：

A pigging system typically consists of several key components that work together to facilitate the pigging process. These components include:

1. Pig Launcher: The pig launcher is a vessel or chamber at the starting point of the pipeline. It provides a controlled entry point for the pig into the pipeline.
2. Pig Receiver: The pig receiver is a vessel or chamber located at the endpoint or designated point of the pipeline. It is designed to safely capture the pig as it completes its journey through the pipeline.
3. Pig: The pig also called the scraper is the primary component of a pigging system. It is a specialized device inserted into the pipeline to perform cleaning, recovering tasks. Pigs can vary in design and construction depending on their purpose, such as the one-piece pig and the lip pig.
4. Pig Detecting System: To detect the pig’s progress through the pipeline, a pigging system may include detecting equipment. This can involve using magnetic or acoustic sensors placed at strategic points along the pipeline to detect the pig’s location and monitor its movement in real-time.
5. Pigging Control System: A pigging control system provides the means to control and monitor the pigging process. It typically includes valves, pressure gauges, and control panels to regulate the flow, pressure, and speed of the pig within the pipeline.
6. Pigging Fluid: Pigging requires the use of a suitable pigging fluid, which is introduced into the pipeline to propel and lubricate the pig during its journey. The choice of pigging fluid depends on factors such as the nature of the product being transported and the specific requirements of the pigging operation.
7. Isolation Valves and Bypass Lines: Isolation valves and bypass lines are essential components that allow for the isolation and redirection of the product flow during the pigging process. These enable safe and controlled access to the pipeline for launching and retrieving the pig.

These components work together to facilitate efficient and effective pigging operations, ensuring the integrity, cleanliness, and optimal performance of the pipeline system.