Pig Launchers and Receivers

Pig launchers and pig receivers are installed on pipelines to launch and receive pipeline pigs, pipeline spheres and pipeline inspection tools. Pig launchers & pig receivers offer a safe and effective means of inserting and removing pipeline pigs to and from pipelines. Pipeline Engineering fabricates pig launchers and pig receivers to meet the specific requirements of a pipeline.

Our in-house design, engineering, fabrication and testing capability is used to produce all types of pig and sphere launching and receiving systems.

The pig launchers and pig receivers we fabricate range from simple barrel pig launchers and receivers through to complete skid mounted units with associated equipment including actuated valves, quick opening closures, instrumentation, pig signallers and control systems.

The pig launchers and receivers we fabricate are suitable for onshore, offshore and subsea pipelines. All units are designed and fabricated to relevant required pipeline and vessel design codes including:

·         ASME U Stamp Division 1 & 2

·         ASME VIII

·         NACE

·         BS 5500

·         ASME B31.3, B31.4, B31.8

We fabricate pig launchers and pig receivers from 2" to 60" designed with operating pressures up to 400 bar. Pig launchers and pig receivers are produced in a range of materials, from low strength carbon steel, to high strength carbon steel, and where specified, stainless steel, duplex stainless steel and carbon steel internally clad with corrosion resistant inconel materials.

Multiple pig launchers are designed to allow the sequential launching of pigs and spheres. Using our automatic multiple pig launching system a series of pigs can be launched into a pipeline without having to repeatedly depressurise and re-pressurise after each pig launch. The process can also be controlled from a remote location. This is particularly relevant on unmanned platforms such as offshore platforms and sour service applications.

Sphere release fingers on sphere launchers are used to control the release of a series of spheres into a pipeline.

Pipeline Engineering will design pig launcher and receiver systems which are 'tailor-made' to meet specific operational requirements. This can include:

·         Multiple valve operation

·         Automatic or manually operated pig and sphere release systems

·         Integrated skid mounted packages

In addition to the supply of newly manufactured pig launchers and pig receivers, Pipeline Engineering provides an inspection, maintenance and refurbishment service to existing in service pig launchers and receivers.

Source: http://www.circorenergy.com/pipeline-solutions/pig-launchers-and-receivers.php