TECH TALK
Using Valves to Support Pipeline Integrity
Pipelines are the backbone of many modern industries , providing one of the safest , most environmentally friendly , and economical modes of material transportation . While durable , pipelines are not invulnerable and require proper maintenance and cleaning to operate efficiently and safely . A lack of appropriate maintenance programs can cause blockages , cracks , leaks , and many other problems that compromise a pipeline ’ s integrity .
By Nicolaas Ainsworth
The Importance of Pipeline Maintenance
Natural gas lines and other wet gas lines , for example , are susceptible to a phenomenon known as liquid loading . 1 Liquid loading is when gases in the pipeline slow down and liquefy , settling in the pipeline 1 . The gas pool collected from the liquidation will begin to erode the pipeline , causing cracks and leaks . 1 These pools can also block gas from running through the line , leading to lost production and blockages . 1
Crude pipelines are vulnerable to wax build-up . Wax build-up is when the crude liquid crystallizes on the sides of the pipe . 2 , 3 The solidification of the product on the pipelines reduces the flow passage , lowering transportation capacity . 3 This build-up can get so significant that it can block the entirety of the pipeline . 3 Blockages can create millions of dollars in damages from operation shutdowns and remediation treatments . 3
Maintaining Lines Through Pipeline Pigging
What kind of maintenance programs can ensure these situations do not occur ? How does an operator clean , maintain , and inspect a deep underground pipeline run-
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We provide proven performance and unmatched quality . ning across various terrains for hundreds of miles ? The answer is pigging . Pigging is one of petroleum ’ s oldest and most common methods for pipeline maintenance and cleaning . 1 Pigging is when pipeline operators send specialized tools , or Pigs , through a pipeline to purge debris and inspect the line ’ s condition . Using the pressure of the pipeline , these Pigs squeeze through the line , pushing and purging harmful debris that , if left unchecked , can lead to the previously mentioned issues . 1 , 2 , 3 These tools can be manufactured with various features tailored to the type of debris . They can also be outfitted with various electronic and physical inspection hardware to measure the pipeline ’ s conditions . Figure 1 shows an example of an Apache-manufactured foam bulletstyle maintenance PIG ( left ) and Mandrel PIG ( right ) that may be used in a pipeline cleaning application .
Traditional Launching and Receiving of Pigs
Understanding the importance of Pigs and Pigging , one may now ask how to introduce and subsequently remove the Pig into a flowing , pressurized pipeline without shutting down line operation . Pipeline operators must install Pig launcher and receiver stations into a given pipeline segment . These stations are specifically designed to allow the introduction and removal of Pigs into a pipeline while it continues to operate . The conventional design of Pig launchers and receiver stations , often called Pig Barrel Traps or Pig Barrel Stations , are horizontal barrels that operate using a complex system of isolation valves , drain , and kicker valves .
To launch a Pig , the operator will place a Pig in the barrel and close the main line valve , filling the barrel with fluid 4 . The fluid flow will then push the Pig into the mainline . 4 Once the Pig is inside the pipeline , the operator will fully open the mainline valve and close the isolation and kicker valves 4 . The operator pressurizes the receiving line and opens a bypass valve to receive a Pig . 4 Once the Pig is received , the operator drains and depresses the barrel and removes the Pig . This description is a straightforward overview of the process , as site - and media-specific modifications will inevitably occur .
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Figure 1 : A Foam Bullet Style Maintenance Pig ( Left ) and Mandrel Pig ( Right ).
20 Valve World Americas | April 2024 • www . valve-world-americas . net