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Thursday, September 3, 2020

Types of Pipeline Pigs

There are many different types of pipeline pigs out there today. While the initial models were quite basic and used to simply clear the lines, the development of technologies has allowed pipeline pigging to evolve into much more than just clean pipes.

 There are the basic utility pigs which are inserted into the pipeline to scrape and remove debris from the line such as wax.  Utility pigs also include foam pigs, solid cast pigs, mandrel pigs and spherical pigs.

Inspection pigs, also known as smart pigs or in-line inspection pigs, are used to gather information about the pipes from the inside. These pipeline pigs use two different and distinct methods, either magnetic flux leakage (MFL) and ultrasonics (UT), to gather information regarding the interior of a pipeline. The information they provide includes pipeline curvature and diameter, temperature and/or pressure, and metal loss or corrosion.

Specialty pigs, like plugs, can isolate a portion of the pipeline for any maintenance work that may need to be performed. The pig plug keeps the pipeline pressure in the check by blocking the pipeline on either side of where the work is being done.

Gel pigs used with a combination of gelled liquids, can be used alone or in conjunction with conventional pigs. There are a variety of uses for gel pigs that include, hydrotesting, dewatering and condensate removal, product separation, debris removal, as well as removing a stuck pig.

With the number of models to choose from to meet the number of different situations, don’t leave the decision of what to do or use to chance. Call experts like the ones at Professional Piping Services,  toll free at 800-780-6098 or locally in the Greater Tampa Bay area at 813-994-0032 to discuss your pipeline system.  Let them help you make the best choice for you and your business.


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