What are the Pig launcher and receiver?

Pigging in pipeline maintenance is the practice of using a pipeline inspector or "pigger" to perform various operations on a pipeline without stopping the flow of product in the pipeline. Pigs are named for the squealing sound they make as they move through a pipe. These operations include but are not limited to, pipe cleaning and inspection. This is accomplished by inserting the pipe cleaner into the pipe cleaner transmitter (the funnel-shaped Y-shaped portion of the pipe). The launcher is then closed and the pressure of the product in the pipe is used to push it down the pipe until it reaches the receiving trap - the "pig catcher".

If the pipeline contains a butterfly valve, the pipeline cannot be cleared. Ball valves do not create any problems because the inner diameter of the ball can be specified to be the same as the inner diameter of the pipe.

The main function of a Pig Launcher and Receiver is to allow operators to launch and receive pipeline pigs without disrupting line contents or interrupting and shutting down pipeline operations. Often referred to as Pig Traps, Pig Launchers and Receivers are available in a wide variety of styles and customizable configurations dependent upon the application and customer requirements.

Changhao is a leading provider of Pipeline Pig Launchers and Receivers for the natural gas and oil industries. Every Pig Launcher and Receiver System is designed by our Engineering team and fabricated to all applicable codes and the latest material/industry standards.

1---Quick opening blind plate

2---Pressure gauge takes over

3---Safety valve takes over

4---Barrel

5---Air inlet and outlet

6---Bleed valve take over

7---Reducer

8---Take over

9---Post bracket

10---Pump valve takes over 

What is pipe clearing?

For many years, the oil industry has used pipe-clearing techniques to clean larger-diameter pipelines. Today, however, many continuous and batch process plants are increasingly using smaller diameter pipe cleaning systems as plant operators seek to improve efficiency.

Pipe cleaners can be used for virtually any part of the transfer process between mixing, storage, or filling systems. Pipe-cleaning systems have been installed in industries handling a wide range of products such as lubricants, paints, chemicals, toiletries and food products.

Pipe cleaners are used for lube oil or paint mixing: they are used to clean the pipes to avoid cross-contamination and to empty the pipes into the product tank (or sometimes to send components back to their tanks). Usually, pipe cleaning is done at the beginning and end of each batch, but sometimes in the middle of the batch, for example when producing premixes used as intermediate components.

Pipe cleaners are also used in oil and gas pipelines: they are used to clean the pipeline, but there are also "smart cleaners" to measure the thickness of the pipe along the pipeline, etc. They usually do not interrupt production, but some products may be lost when the pigs are extracted. They can also be used to separate different products in a multi-product pipeline.

Why use a Pig launcher/receiver?

One of the main advantages of a clearable tube system is the possibility to save the product. At the end of each product transfer, the contents of the entire line can be cleared with a pipe cleaner, either forward to the receiver point or backward to the source tank. No extensive line flushing is required.

Without the need for line flushing, the pipe cleaner has the additional advantage of faster and more reliable product changeover. Because the interface between products is so clear, product sampling at the receipt point becomes faster and the old method of checking periodically until the product meets specifications is greatly reduced.

Pigging Launcher and Receiver systems mainly use to

Before the new pipeline construction is completed and put into production, the pipeline is used to sweep the pipelines to remove various residues in the pipeline and make the pipeline unblocked. Exhaust before pipeline hydrostatic test and water removal after the hydrostatic test. Used for isolation between natural gas, nitrogen, and air before replacement. Regular dewatering of pipelines already put into production to increase pipeline transportation capacity.