What is a pipeline pig receiver?
In simplest terms the PIG launchers and PIG receivers are the sections of the pipeline which allow the PIG to enter and exit the pipeline. They are generally funnel, Y-shaped sections of the pipe which can be pressurized or depressurized and then safely opened to insert or remove PIGs.
What is the difference between pig launcher and pig receiver?
The pig receiver is set up on the other end of the pipeline section to receive the PIG. Materials can include carbon steel, stainless steel, and even FRP. PIG launchers are located where a PIG is to be sent into the pipeline.
How does a pig receiver work?
This is accomplished by inserting the pig into a Pig Launcher – a funnel shaped Y section in the pipeline. The launcher is then closed and the pressure of the product in the pipeline is used to push it along down the pipe until it reaches the receiving trap – the ‘pig catcher’.
What is a kicker line?
A kicker line is required to connect the major barrel with the bypass line to enable diversion of the fluid through the barrel to launch or receive a pig. For a launcher the kicker line is connected to the major barrel as close as possible to the end closure and for a receiver as close as possible to the reducer.
Why do they call a pipeline pig a pig?
What are pipeline pigs? Early pigs were made from materials such as straw, barbed wire and leather and made a squealing sound while traveling through the pipes – for this reason, they were eventually called “pigs”. The name eventually became an acronym for “Pipeline Inspection Gauge” or “Pipeline Intervention Gauge”.
How much does a smart pig cost?
Defining a Smart Pig Pipeline A single pig can cost up to $1 million. PIGs have sensors and magnets for data transmission. In the past, they were known as pipeline inspection gadgets but are now pipeline integrity gauges.
How fast does a pipeline pig travel?
Cleaning or utility pigs, when run on-stream, will have the speed of the pig dictated by the product flow rate. Most gas transmission pipelines flow at ranges between 10 and 17 feet per second.
How much does a pipeline pig cost?
The following are some of the industry’s top challenges: Pigging is not cheap: An industry expert shared this typical example to illustrate: To chemically clean (cleaning pig) a 24” 15 mile gas pipeline would cost between $210,000 – $250,000 plus a disposal fee of $25,000 – $30,000.
How often do you pig a pipeline?
Pigging frequency depends largely on the contents of the pipeline. Some sales gas pipelines for example are normally never pigged. This is since there is little by way of liquid to remove or debris / corrosion products in the line.
What is a pig receiver in a pipeline?
A pig receiver is a container or device to receive a pipeline pig out of the pipeline without interrupting the flow. This forms a part of the pipeline pigging system. Both pig launcher and receiver are known as pig trap assemblies.
What do you need to know about pipeline pigging?
Pipeline pigging is the process of propelling a pig through a pipeline from a pig launcher and receiving the pig at the pig receiver end of the pipeline. Various types of pigs are propelled through the pipeline depending on the intended function which could be cleaning, dewatering, chemical batching, dimensioning or inspection.
When do you use a pig launcher and receiver?
The term Pigging refers to the use Pigs in the pipeline to perform maintenance operation. Pig Launchers and Receivers are used to facilitate the pigging of the pipeline. The Pig Traps are designed for the use of mechanical and intelligent Pig and/or cleansing or impulse spheres.
Where is the pig launcher in a pipeline?
The Pig Launcher is located upstream end of the pipeline and it is used to launch the pig into the pipeline, then a Pig Receiver is located downstream end of the pipeline to receive and remove the pig from the pipeline.