HAZARDS OF TRAPPED PRESSURE AND VACUUM

An example of pig launcher/receiver design

The sample procedure that follows details the steps necessary to launch a pig.
The valve numbers in the instruction correspond to those marked on the
schematic diagram. You may assume that at least two trained operators are
launching the pig for the gas line.

An example of step-by-step tasks for pig launching

1. Ensure that the pig trap outlet valve (1) and both barrel inlet valves (2) and
(3), two drain valves (4) and vent valves (5), (6), (7) and (8) are fully closed
prior to start of launch procedure.
2. Open vent valve (5) to vent pressure from launcher. Close valve (5). Do not
open end closure door until launcher is completely vented to atmospheric
pressure and check this by opening valve (6) and bleed valve (8) while
valve (7) remains closed. Then, close valves (6) and (8) afterwards.
3. Check that Pressure Gauge PI-2500 reads zero.
4. Open end closure door fitted with an interlock bleed and insert the pig until
the front cup reaches the reducer, past the Pig Signaller XPI-2600 on the
barrel.
5. Close end closure door and interlock bleed. Ensure door is completely
shut and sealed.
6. Ensure Pig Signaller XPI-2500 (9) is set to indicate passage of pig.

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HAZARDS OF TRAPPED PRESSURE AND VACUUM

7. Open vent valve (5) and open small bore barrel inlet valve (3) slightly to
purge air from the launcher.
8. Fully close vent valve (5) and slowly bring the launcher up to main-line
pressure by opening full valve (3).
9. Check Pressure Gauge PI-2500 is at full main-line pressure.
10. Fully close valve (3), before the pig trap outlet valve (1) is fully opened, to
avoid damage to the pig as it exits the launcher.
11. Fully open the pig trap outlet valve (1).
12. Fully open the main inlet valve (2). If pig does not immediately exit
launcher as indicated by Pig Signaller XPI-2500 (9), slowly close the main
launcher bypass valve (10).
13. Confirm that pig has been launched and passed through Pig Signaller
XPI-2500 (9).
14. Fully open the main-line inlet valve (10).
15. Fully isolate the launcher by closing the pig trap isolation valves (1) and (2).
16. Depressure the launcher by opening slowly vent valve (5) followed by the
two drain valves (4). After that, the launcher remains depressurized with
vent valve (5) and (7) and two drain valves (4) closed.

Ensure pig launcher/receiver step-by-step tasks are subjected to a

procedural HAZOP or Job Safety Analysis.

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