The name pig was originally applied to Go-Devil scrapers which were devices driven through the pipeline

by the flowing fluid trailing springloaded rakes to scrape wax off the internal walls. The rakes made a characteristic loud squealing noise, hence the name "pig" which is now used to describe any device made to pass through a pipeline driven by the pipeline fluid. A large variety of pigs has now evolved, some of which are illustrated in Fig.l. They typically perform the following functions:separation of products cleaning out deposits and debris gauging the internal bore location of obstructions meter loop calibration liquids' removal gas removal pipe geometry measurements internal inspection coating of internal bore corrosion inhibition improving flow efficiency

PIGGING DURING OPERATION

If pigging is required during operation, then the pipeline must be designed with permanent pig traps, especially when the product is hazardous. As was mentioned above, it is far better to avoid pigging if possible, but for some operations it is the safest and most economical solution. Typical applications for pigging in operational lines are illustrated in Fig.3, and include separation of products, flow improvement, corrosion inhibition, meter proving and inspection.

Separation of products
Some applications demand that a pipeline carries a number of different products at various times. It is basically a matter of economics and operational flexibility as to whether a single line with batches of products in series is to be preferred to numerous exclusive lines where the products can flow in parallel. As with flooding and dewatering, a batching pig provides an efficient

interface between products, minimizing cross contamination. To ensure that Pipeline Pigging Technology

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SEPARATION OF PRODUCTS PIGGING DURING OPERATION 1 1 IMPROVING FLOW EFFICIENCY 1 CORROSION INHIBITION 1 METER PROVING Multiproduct lines Dewatering Removal of sand and Batching with wax from oil lines inhibitor Clearance of dirt and Water drop-out condensate from gas removal lines

Fig.3. Pigging during operation.

Calibration of flow meters

no mixing takes place, a train of two or three batching pigs could be launched with the new product in between.

Wax removal
Some crude oils have a tendency to form wax as they cool. The wax crystallizes onto the pipe wall reducing the diameter and making the surface rough. Both effects reduce the flow efficiency of the pipeline such that more pumping energy must be expended to transport the same volume of oil. A variety of cleaning and scraping pigs is available to remove the wax; most work on the principle of having a by-pass flow through the body of the pig, over the brushes or scrapers, and out to the front. This flow washes tne wax away in front of the pig. The action of the pig also polishes wax remaining on the pipe wall, leaving it smooth with a low hydraulic resistance. There are alternatives to pigging for this application. For example, it is possible to add pour-point depressants to inhibit wax formation, or it is possible to add flow improvers which reduce turbulence and increase the hydraulic efficiency of the pipeline. For a given pipeline, the choice will depend on the reduction in pumping costs against the cost of pigging or chemical injection, if indeed there is a net gain. Regular pigging does, 10 Why pig a pipeline? however, have the advantage that it proves the line is clear and there is no wax build up which might cause problems for a line which is only pigged occasionally.

Line cleaning
Similar arguments about improving pumping efficiency apply to any products prone to depositing solids on the pipe wall. Gas line efficiencies can be improved by removing dust or using a smooth epoxy-painted internal

surface.

Condensate clearance
In gas lines, conditions can occur where liquids condense and collect on the bottom of the pipeline. They can be swept up by the gas to arrive at the terminal in the occasional large slug, causing problems with the process facilities. Slug catchers which are basically large separators are used to absorb these fluctuations. However, it is normal to limit the potential size of the condensate slugs by regular sphering, and thus reduce the size of the slug catcher required.

Corrosion inhibition
Inhibitors are used to prevent the product attacking and corroding the pipeline steel. In some cases, particularly in liquid lines, small quantities of inhibitor are added to the flow. However, in other cases it is necessary for the inhibitor to coat the whole inside surface of the pipe at regular intervals. This is accomplished by retaining a slug of inhibitor between two batching pigs. This method also ensures that the top of the pipe is coated.

Meter proving
In order to calibrate flowmeters during operation, a pig is used to displace a precisely-known volume of fluid from a prover loop past the flowmeter. Normally a tightly-fitting sphere is used for this purpose, and the run is repeated until consistent results are obtained. 11