Pigging Systems: Efficient Cleaning and Product Protection for Modern Piping Systems
In industrial production, every liter often counts – especially when high-quality or sensitive liquids are transported through pipelines. Whether it’s food, cosmetics, or chemicals, residues in the piping system not only mean product loss, but also complex cleaning processes and unnecessary use of resources. This is precisely where
Functionality of a pigging system
A pigging system works with an elastic cleaning body, the so-called pig, which is pushed under pressure through the pipeline system. It reliably transports the product residues to the removal point and simultaneously cleans the pipe walls. Depending on the application, the drive is powered by compressed air, water, or even by the subsequent product itself. This allows the line to be cleaned efficiently between two product batches without losing valuable ingredients or causing contamination.
Variants of pigging systems for different requirements
Various designs are available depending on the process requirements:
- Single-pig system: Here, the pig can only be moved in a predefined direction and thus the pipeline can be cleaned.
- Two-pig system: Here, there is the possibility to design the cleaning process much more flexibly. The medium can be moved in both directions with the help of the pig. In addition, there is the possibility of implementing a cleaning liquid in the intermediate clamping of the pigs.
Each pigging system can be implemented as a manual or fully automatic system.
- Manual pigging system: A complete manual intervention by qualified personnel is required, which entails high safety requirements and leaves room for error.
- Fully automatic pigging systems: These are fully integrated into the process and allow automated cleaning without interrupting the production process.
Advantages in product changes and cleaning
A particular advantage of pigging systems is evident in frequent product changes in pipelines. Instead of planning long cleaning cycles or using large rinsing quantities, the pipeline can be cleaned almost residue-free with a single pig run. This not only saves water and cleaning agents, but also significantly reduces the time and energy required. At the same time, the product yield increases – a decisive factor, especially with high raw material costs.
Sustainability and economy in harmony
The investment in pigging systems not only pays off economically. Due to the lower cleaning effort, reduced product losses and minimized use of resources, they also contribute significantly to the sustainability of industrial processes: fewer chemicals, less water consumption, less energy – but more usable product and higher system availability and efficiency.
Modern pigging systems offer a clever combination of product protection, cleaning efficiency and process optimization. For companies that want to operate their production lines economically and conserve resources, the use of pigging technology is a decisive step forward – both in terms of quality and competitiveness.
Especially when choosing the pigging system, the experts at Göhler will help you find the right system for your needs.