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Pig Traps (Pig Receivers and Pig Launchers)

Pig launchers are essentially vessels used for launching of a pipe pig or a pig tool into the pipeline for

cleaning or inspection purpose. After being launched into the pipeline, the pig tool is pushed through the

pipeline by a driving fluid. The pipeline is cleaned along the way by brushing action from the pig. On the othe

end the pig tool is received by a pig receiver. Pig receiver is also a vessel used for receiving the pipe pig too

Pig launchers and receivers are designed to meet the specific requirements of a pipeline.

Pig traps can be of horizontal, vertical or inclined type. For ease of operation, horizontal pig traps are

preferred. When space constraints become critical, vertical or inclined pig traps are installed instead of

horizontal.

The schematic shown here is for a horizontal pig launcher. A horizontal pig receiver would be almost identica

to this schematic, except for the position and size of certain nozzles such as drain, kicker line and PSV nozzle

Forany pig trap, be it horizontal, vertical or inclined pig launcher or receiver, basic structure is similar and

consists of -

1. Major barrel which is larger than the pipeline size

2. Minor barrel which matches with the pipeline size

3. A reducer barrel connecting the major and minor barrels

4. A quick opening door on the major barrel end of the pig trap

5. Full bore ball valve on the minor barrel end of the pig trap

6. Following nozzles kicker line, relieving line (PSV), pressure gauges on minor and major barrels, pig

signaler on the minor barrel, purge connection, vent and drains.

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7. As a safety measure, quick opening door should be mechanically interlocked with isolation valves on kicke

line and main line, so that the door cannot be opened when pig trap is still connected to these pressurized

lines. This safety precaution can also be accomplished by interlocking the door with vent or depressurizing

line, so that the door can be opened only when the pig trap is depressurized.

For vertical pig traps, the reducer barrel is of concentric type, so that the center lines of major and minor

barrels match with each other. Vertical pig traps are always installed to have the major barrel above the mino

barrel. The tentative position of the nozzle shown in the schematic, may change for vertical pig traps.

Following certain dimensions are important for pig trap design and

have to be specified in the pig trap datasheet, before sending it to

the supplier.

1. Major barrel size and length

2. Minor barrel length and size (same as pipeline size)

3. Reducer barrel length.

4. Inclination type of pig trap (horizontal or vertical)

5. Slope in case of horizontal pig trap

6. Location of certain nozzles such as Kicker line, Relieving line, drain, vent, pig signaler.

The purpose of a pig launcher or receiver is to insert or retrieve pigs, spheres, or inspection tools from a

pipeline. Launchers and receivers are designed to meet the specific requirements of a pipeline. To

compliment our range of pigs and spheres Glapwell Contracting Services have a dedicated, in-house team o

designers and technicians for all their manufacturing and testing of pig production to meet specific customer

needs. This includes standard barrel launchers and receivers right the way through to skid mounted pig trap

units.

Glapwell manufacture a full range of custom built pig, sphere and scraper launching and receiving traps for

onshore, offshore and subsea applications, all specific to clients project specification and international desig

codes and suitable for Non Sour and Sour Service which require NACE and HIC/SSCC material. Our range is

6 inch NB to 54 inch NB and from class 150# to 2500#.

Aside from the design and manufacture of custom built traps, Glapwell also provide valuable solutions for therefurbishment and modification of existing pig traps.

In addition to the supply of pig/sphere/scraper traps we also supply, design & manufacture associated

equipment and in a range of materials.