Tuesday, June 14, 2016

By Kenneth Sullivan


Petroleum products, various types of gasses and steam among other products are the commonly known products to be transported through piping. The method is the most efficient one for the transportation of these fluids since large volumes of products or goods can be transported within a shorter period than any other of methods or means available. The method is as well very important in reducing the risks and accidents during the transportation. More to this, the method is also very prone to damages and therefore, for this reason, the entire pipeline system requires to be regularly inspected to fix any kind of possible damages. Such a method has been the commonly used method for such kind of inspection. In relation to this, there is the great need of the knowledge on some tips related to pigging a pipeline.

In the description, pigs are devices that are commonly inserted in the pipes to detect and correct the various damages that may affect the smooth functioning of transportation pipes. There are different types of pigs that can be used that are used differently but with the main aim of keeping the pipeline system in a good running condition.

During the construction of any pipeline, debris may accumulate on the inner side of the pipes. For this reason, pigs should always be done immediately after the construction before commencing on any kind of production. Utility pigs basically works by scrapping away the built up debris, therefore, leaving the entire system clean. This particular type of pipeline pig is available in different forms including solid cast pigs, foam pigs, spherical as well as mandrel pigs.

Inline inspection pig is as well another vital method commonly used. As its word sounds, the inspection pigs are used to collect information from the inside of the pipes. The pigs are also known as smart pigs. Some of vital information they gather includes determining the diameter of the pipes, the temperatures and pressure inside the pipes as well as the curvature and how much the pipes have bent. Corrosion and metal loss can also be generally determined through this pigging method.

As the pigs move along the inside of tubes or pipes, external sensors are also fitted along with them. These sensors work as a tracking device for the pigs deep inside those pipes. Alongside monitoring the pigs, they work in a correlation of the pigs to provide a map showing the specific location of any defects.

Fourthly, the method is also very useful in preventing any accumulation of solids that may result to corrosion from the pipes. Areas, where the fluids move at a low pressure, can be subjective to corrosion. Therefore, to reduce the chances of corrosion deep inside the pipes, pigging should be frequently done. In relation to this, the method can as well be effective to remove the corroded solids from the pipes.

Gel pigging is as well very efficient in the pipeline system. The type of method works to separate the various products from the pipeline. It can also be used to remove debris as well as any stuck pig inside the pipes.

Lastly, pigs are as well used for the purpose of inspecting the pipes. This method is most common after the entire process of laying a pipeline has been completed. The particular type of pigs used for this case is the sizing pigs that help in determining whether there are any obstruction and bends inside the pipes. To initiate this process, the pigs are always fitted with cameras that help in viewing the inner side of the pipes.




About the Author:



0 commentaires:

Post a Comment