Pig Launcher and Receivers

EPCM Holdings has extensive experience in designing, fabricating and installing pig traps (launchers and receivers) for various industries. EPCM’s in-house experts offer various configurations including horizontal, vertical or sloped, ranging from standard launchers and receivers to complex skid-mounted units with all the associated valves and piping.

EPCM is capable of designing and manufacturing advanced customised pig trap solutions for our client’s specific application (various sizes, pressure ratings, etc.) in compliance with the applicable codes and material specifications.

In addition to standard units with manual controls, EPCM also offers automated units which significantly reduce manpower, time, maintenance, and HSE concerns.

As a company with a global footprint, EPCM has an approved supply chain of high-quality items such as pigs, pig indicators/signalers, quick opening closures, trolleys, interlocks and additional equipment.

A pig launchers is used to launch the pig into the pipeline, and a pig receiver is used to receive the pig after a successful launch. The choice of pig traps depends on the type of pig to be run and the pipeline design conditions.

Design features and benefits:

  • Skid-mounted solutions – Quick installation and start-up in remote areas due to pre-assembly and pre-testing in remote areas
  • Pig launchers and receivers are sand blasted and painted with a colour of the client’s choice
  • All welds are 100% inspected and tested
  • All systems are hydrostatically tested
  • Corrosion resistant materials
  • Design capabilities for various pipeline pig types such as intelligent pigs, which may require special pig handling equipment
  • Adherence to international design and quality codes
  • Adherence to international health and safety standards

Application:

  • Pre-commissioning: Removing hydro-test water and construction debris accumulated within the pipeline by using dewatering pigs
  • Maintenance: Cleaning the internal pipeline surface through the removal of different deposits / build ups by using cleaning pig
  • Separation operation: Separating two fluids, according to production requirements by using separation pigs
  • Inspection: Inspecting and monitoring the conditions of the pipeline with the use of intelligent pigs

 

Pig trap system description:

A pig trap generally consists of the following components:

Barrel

The barrel consists of three parts:

  • Major barrel: An enlarged section of the barrel used for loading or retrieving pigs. The major barrel is equipped with a quick open closure end. This allows for more efficient loading and unloading of the pigs
  • Reducer: A section between major and minor barrel
  • Minor barrel: A section of the barrel between the in line valve and the reducer

Quick open closure

EPCM offers a number of Quick Action End Closure options from recognised manufacturers around the world.

EPCM’s quick opening closures can be operated safely at remarkable speed; any size closure can be opened or closed within minutes by a single person, with no special tools required. The locking mechanism incorporates a hand operated pressure warning screw, which prevents the door being unlocked until there is no residual pressure inside the vessel.

Kicker Line

The kicker line is used to pressurize the upstream side of the pig so that it can be launched. In the case of the receiver, the kicker line provides an outlet for fluids arriving in the pig trap.

Bypass Line

A bypass line of the pig launcher is the normal route for the fluids when pigging is not taking place.

Balance Line

The balance line, connecting the kicker line to the major or minor barrel of the pig launcher, helps lower the pressure differential across the PIG so that the pig will not move when waiting to be launched, damaging the downstream inline valve or moving backwards which would interrupt the seal and prevent launching.

Design Codes and Standards:

  • NACE
  • BS 5500
  • ASME U Stamp Division 1 & 2
  • ASME VIII
  • ASME B 31.3, B 31.4 & B 31.8

EPCM is fully accredited with ISO 9001; ISO 14001; ISO 45001 and ISO 3834. All our facilities and subsidiaries conform with the group’s systems and procedures, complying with industry best practices and international standards.

Industries:

  • Oil & gas
  • Refineries
  • Power & energy
  • Chemical & petrochemical process
  • Wine & distillery
  • Food, beverage & flavors
  • Paint & coating
  • Pharmaceutical & cosmetics

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