Pipeline Pigs
Pipeline Pigs
are devices used to clean or clear debris from the internal bore of pipelines. In pipeline folklore it is believed that the first Pipeline Pigs used were made from leather strapping bound into a ball or sphere shape. The noise made by the Pigs as they traversed the pipeline sounded like a pig squealing, hence the name 'Pigs' was adopted.
There are a number of names applied to “Pigs” such as:
- Swabs
- Pipe Cleaners
- Cleaning Pigs
- Poly Pigs
- Go-Devils
- Pipeline Intervention Gadget (P.I.G.)
- Intelligent Pigs (ILI's MFL's)
What Pigs should I use?
The Pig selection process is often critical to achieving the desired result. Pig Types and their use are detailed on the PDF documents at the bottom of the page. Typical Pig types in use:
Open Cell Polyurethane Foam Pigs
- Soft Foam Proving Cleaning
- Medium Density Foam
- High Density Foam
- Polyurethane Coated Foam
- Criss Cross Polyurethane Coated Foam
- Wire Brush Foam
- Power Brush Foam
- Steel Stud Cleaning
- Plastic Stud Cleaning
- Carborundum Coated Foam
- Foam Tracking
- Double Dish Foam
- Bi-Directional Foam
- Bare Foam
- Foam Spheres
- By-Pass & Jetting Foam
- Tracking
Mechanical Pigs – Hard Cast Polyurethane, Rubber etc
- Cup
- Bi-Directional Disc
- Cup/Disc
- Scraper/Disc
- Guiding
- Wire Brush
- Magnet
- Tracking
- Scraping
- Batching and Separation
- Multi-Diameter
- Gauging
- By-Pass & Jetting
- Steel Stud Cleaning
What are Pipeline Pigs used for?
For clearing or cleaning the internal bore of pipelines. Typical applications include:
- Process Cleaning
- Hydrostatic Testing
- Pipeline Drying
- Proving
- Swabbing to remove debris
- Pipeline Cleaning and Clearing to maintain Pump Efficiency through consistent Flow Rates
- Long Range Pigging
- Progressive Pigging to remove hard scale and other debris
- Pre-Cleaning for Pipeline Inspection Surveys
Materials of Construction
Pipeline Pigs are produced in a wide range of materials and configurations to suit their intended purpose. Typical materials include Soft Foam (or Swabs), Medium and High Density Polyurethane Foam (Poly Pigs), and solid Polyurethane type pigs also known as Mechanical or Mandrel Pigs which can be fitted with Cups, Discs, Scrapers, Wire Brushes, Magnets and other accessories.
How are Pipeline Pigs propelled through a pipeline?
Pipeline Pigs can be propelled using the existing media in the pipeline ie. Water, Oil, Gas, Paint, Food etc. providing there is sufficient flow and pressure to propel the Pig.
Pipeline Pigs can also be tracked as they traverse the pipeline using Magnets or Pig Locators or Pig Transmitters. These Pig Tracking systems can locate a Pig anywhere along the pipeline route, even if the pipeline is buried.
Industry users such as Water & Wastewater Utilities, Oil and Gas Producers, Pipeline Constructors, Miners, Chemical producers, Paint & Food producers trust the extensive proven field experience provided by HORIZON Industrial for their Pipeline Pigging Services needs.
Technical Information & Downloads
Foam Pig Selection Guide [PDF]
Solid Cast Pig Selection Guide [PDF]
Steel Bodied Pig Selection Guide [PDF]
What is a Pipeline Pig and how are they used? [PDF]