What is a Pigging System?

Pigging is a type of technique of cleaning or inspection that is done in a pipeline. Pigging allows you to recover any trapped product in the pipeline without having to stop operation. A Pigging System is installed directly on the pipeline and allows you to perform pigging at any time.

What is it Used for?

A pigging system is typically installed to easily clean pipes, avoid cross-contamination, and to empty any remaining media for collection. They can also be used to inspect pipelines and assess their condition. Some plants will use pigging as a way to separate different products in a multi-product pipeline.

How Does Pigging Work?

Video of Definox Starmotion Pigging System Demonstration

To learn how a pigging system works, you first need to know the components that make up the Pigging System.

Pig: Also known as a scraper, a pig is a solid projectile that features a diameter that is slightly larger than the pipeline it is placed into. (See image on right.)
Pig Launcher: An oversized section of the pipeline that uses build-up pressure to launch the pig. It is also referred to as a launching station.
Pig Catcher: The part of the pipeline where the pig is stopped. It is also called a receiving station.

First, the Pig is inserted in the Pig Launcher. Then it is launched through the tube with high pressure by the launcher. The Pig pushes 95%+ of the media through the pipe until it is caught by the Pig Catcher.

When Do You Use a Pigging System?

When pigging was first conceived, it was mainly used to clean large pipelines in the oil industry. However, due to its functionality, pigging stations are more often being installed across a variety of plants.

Some popular applications include:

Chemicals
Cosmetics
Food and Beverage
Oil
Cleaning Products
Pet/Animal Food
Pharmaceuticals