A critical review of pigging operations in the pipeline

Abstract

Pigging is commonly utilized in pipelines for different maintenance tasks such as cleaning and inspecting pipes using pigging pigs. This is done without interrupting the flow of goods via the pipeline. The operation is carried out by introducing a pig from the source to the end-point of the pipeline. During the pig's travel through the pipeline, it brushes out the trapped product and cleans the pipe walls. It is also utilized for pipeline inspection, providing us with interior data such as corrosion characteristics, and identifying dents, wrinkles, buckles, welding faults, and fractures. It ensures product flow and reduces product contamination within the pipeline. It eliminates accumulated debris, which eventually helps to defend against the defects with heavy duty bristles and pit cleaning brushes are highly effective in both swiping the liquids downstream, and out of pits.