Pig Signallers

P ig signaller is a device installed on a pipeline or pig trap assembly to detect movement of pig. It
consists of a mechanism which detects the movement of pig.

Types of pig signallers

There are two types of pig signallers depending on the detecting mechanism:

 The intrusive type.

 The non-intrusive type.

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The intrusive type are mechanically operated and are generally bi-directional. They have
mechanically operated signal flags which can be reset and are suitable for mounting on both
vertical and horizontal pipelines. The indicating device, 'Flag', is normally set in the horizontal position
for "pig not passed" and vertical for "pig passed" condition with a manual latch reset to the
horizontal position.
It is important to install the trigger in the correct orientation. The axis about which the trigger rotates
should be perpendicular to the pipeline axis. In pipelines where uninterrupted operation is critical,
pig signaller with an integral ball valve is used. The ball valve together with a retriver kit facilitates
removal of the trigger mechanism while the pipeline is still operating.

Pig signallers from manufacturers such as GD Engineering are designed for installation through
a minimum bore of 39mm. The pig detector base should be compatible with the pipeline material
to which it will be welded. For pig signallers used in sour service the elastomeric materials for ring
seals shall resist explosive decompression and shall be suitable for the long-term exposure to the
transported fluid at the design pressure and temperature conditions.

While ordering pig signallers the thickness of the pipeline should be provided to the Vendor. Though
the trigger mechanism can extended or retracted within the pipeline the amount of adjustment is
limited to about 25mm.

For buried pipelines, the pig signaller must be procured with an extended body. Pig signallers upto
extensions of 2.2m are commercially available.

Typical P&ID arrangement for Pig Launchers / Pig Receivers

(*) Refer to EnggCyclopedia’s Typical P&ID arrangement for PSVs
Pig launchers and receivers are commonly used in upstream oil and gas industry for periodic
cleaning of pipelines carrying crude oil, natural gas and water from oil wells. A pig is a bullet
shaped object which fits the pipeline from inside. The pig launcher launches the pig into pipeline
and the upstream pressure pushes the pig to other end of the pipeline where it is received by the
pig launcher. Hence generally arrangement for pig launchers and receivers are essentially the
same, except for the difference between ‘Kicker line’ position for launchers and receivers. The
sample drawing presents this general arrangement common to pig launchers and receivers.

1. Proper equipment symbol for pig launcher (vertical or horizontal) should be selected first of
all, as shown in the presented drawing. This should be selected from the list of equipment
symbols on the legend sheets of a particular project.
2. The major and minor barrels of the pig trap should be indicated as shown in the sample
drawing. Minor barrel size is equal to pipeline size and the major barrel size is slightly larger.
3. All the nozzles on the pig launcher should then be correctly represented with size and
flanges. This includes door on the launcher, pig outlet to pipeline, kicker line, balancing line,
PSV connection, purge, vent, drain and instrument nozzles, as shown in the sample drawing
presented here. Typicalinstrumentation on the pig launcher would be pressure gauges and
 transmitters and pig indicators to know if the pig has been launched (or arrived in the case of
pig receivers).
4. Different lines connected to the pig launcher are the next to be drawn up. Line number,
material class, size etc. is to be correctly assigned to each of the lines.
5. Kicker line is used to pressurize the upstream side of pig so it can be launched. In case of
receiver, kicker line provides an outlet for fluids arriving in the pig trap. Normally
when pigging is not being performed, kicker line is closed using normally closed valve.
6. Balancing line connecting the kicker line to minor barrel of the pig launcher, helps lower the
pressure differential so that sudden shooting of the pig will not damage downstream
automatic valves.
7. A bypass line of the pig launcher is the normal route for the fluids when pigging is not taking
place. This section upstream to the shutdown valve at beginning of pipeline can be protected
against overpressure as indicated in the sample drawing.
8. The hand operated valve (HV) on the bypass line is used to create a pressure differential for
launching the pig (also for receiving the pig). A pressure differential indicator (PDI) has to be
available to the HV operator to monitor the pressure differential.
9. On the outlet of the pig launcher, another hand operated automatic valve is provided to open
up the launcher upon pressurization.
10. The pig launcher (and receiver) are also protected against overpressure with a PSV which
discharges to flare. Typical representation of PSVs can be referred to in another article.
11. Isolation valves, spectacle blinds, spacers etc. to be used for maintenance should be drawn
up next, on various lines to and from the pig trap. The spectacle blinds, spacers etc. are
usually connected right next to the isolation valves and equipment nozzles, as indicated in
the sample drawing presented here.
12. Drains should be provided either on major or minor barrel or on both for complete draining of
the pig trap after the pig is launched or received. Sample drawing has indicated drains on
both the barrels. These drains are connected to the closed drain system.
13. Vents to flare and to atmosphere are required on pig launchers. Venting to flare for
depressurization of the pig launcher can be achieved using bypass on the relief valve. For
maintenance, when pig is not in operation it can be vented to atmosphere.
14. A utility connection is required to purge the pig launcher / receiver after the pigging is done
and the pig trap is depressurized and drained. A nitrogen connection should normally be
provided as indicated in the sample drawing.
15. Most of the guidelines mentioned for pig launchers also hold good for pig receivers.
16. All the guidelines given here are very general and may be modified as per specific
requirements of any particular project.

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Home » Products » Pig Launchers and Receivers

Pig Launchers and Receivers

Pigging is an integral part of the maintenance regime for pipelines. Pipelines are pigged for several
reasons. If water is present in the line, it must be removed periodically in order to minimize
corrosion. Water will accumulate at low points in the pipeline and as a result will be corrosion hot
spots. In addition to corrosion prevention, a proper pigging regiment can help keep the process
facility operating at the specified design parameters. By regular pigging pipelines, blockages in the
pipeline can be removed and thus reduce pressure drops in the pipeline. Additionally, periodic
pigging can also impact the sizing of the slug catcher allowing for a more optimized design.

Pig Trap System

BARREL
The barrel is the section of the pig trap, from the pig trap valve up to and including the end closure which is
required to launch and receive pigs.
It consists of three parts:

 Major barrel: An enlarged section of the barrel used for loading or retrieving pigs
 Reducer: A between major and minor barrel
 Minor barrel: A section of the barrel between the pig trap valve and the reducer.

The major barrel is equipped with a quick open closure end. This allows for more efficient loading and unloading
of the pigs.

Kicker Line
A kicker line is required to connect the major barrel with the bypass line to enable diversion of the fluid through
the barrel to launch or receive a pig. For a launcher the kicker line is connected to the major barrel as close as
possible to the end closure and for a receiver as close as possible to the reducer.

Bypass Line
A bypass line is connected the pipeline with related facilities.

Balance line
A balance line is provided on launchers to enable filling and pressurizing of the barrel on both sides of the pig at
the same time. This is to prevent a pig which is ready to be launched from moving either forwards and thereby
 hitting and possibly damaging the pig trap valve)or backwards and losing the seal in the reducer. To ensure this,
the balance line, branching off from the kicker line, shall be connected to the minor barrel as close as possible to
the pig trap valve.

In addition to the above system, pig traps are often supplied with Jib Cranes and Pig Trays to facilitate operators
loading and unloading the pigs from the system. SPEC has a variety of Pig Trap systems on offer ranging from
simple, standalone launcher and receiver all the way to fully automated skid mounted packages. Contact SPEC
for your requirements.

CD52 Bandit Non-Intrusive Pig Signaler

The CD52 Bandit is a non-intrusive pig signaler which uses either permanent magnets or active transmitters
mounted onto the pig to detect passage from 0.022 to 45.73 mph (0.01m/s to 20 m/s). With thousands of
systems sold around the world over the past 15 years, the CD52 pig signaler has developed a strong reputation
in the industry for its reliability and durability in even the harshest environments.

A relay closure on passage allows the Bandit to be interfaced to a wide variety of systems including SCADA,
PLC's, lights, horns, etc.

Features include:
• Completely non-intrusive to the pipeline
• Designed for direct burial permanent installation with many standard stalk heights and types
• including armored flex cable
• Designed for temporary use onshore & offshore with carring case
• Every unit is housed in a certified explosion-proof enclosure
• Bi-directional pig detection
• Detection of both transmitter and permanent magnet equipped pipeline pigs
• Automatic retention of the 10 most recent pig passage times and dates
• Powered for one full year with two D-Cell alkaline batteries or permanently powered with 24VDC
• Easily bands to pipelines from 2" to 60"
• Works to wall thicknesses of 1.5 inches


The CD52 Bandit allows simple and reliable non-intrusive detection of pig passages anywhere within your
pipeline system. Simply strap the CD52 onto a pipeline and it immediately begins scanning for both transmitter
and permanent magnet equipped pig passages.

When pig passages occur their times and dates are displayed to the operator, along with a flashing "Recent
Passage" message. If multiple pig passages have occurred, one can simply scroll back through the Bandit's
passage memory and retrieve the time and date of any one of the last 10 passages.

When pig passages occur, in addition to visual indications. the CD52 Bandit initiates a dry contact relay
closure (which may be wired normally open or normally closed) for 15 seconds. This relay can support an
electrical connection of 120VAC to 1A or 30VDC to 3A.

Using CDI's proprietary LineStat satellite notification service the CD52 pig signaler can notify operators of pig
passages to their email inbox or smart phone any time day or night.

The Bandit's standard enclosure is a fully explosion-proof certified aluminium housing with a tempered glass
window.

CDI manufactures a family of small permanent magnets that are designed specifically for use with the CD52
Bandit. These magnets are durable epoxy encapsulated cylinders with outer jackets and mounting studs; when
mounted to or placed inside virtually any type of pipeline pig it can then be tracked by the CD52 throughout a
pipeline network. Since these magnets do not require batteries or have any active components, their usable life
is outstanding.

Although several options are available for the CD52 Bandit that allow customization, there are often special uses
that require something new. If you have a special requirement for this equipment give CDI a call; special orders
are commonplace for this equipment.

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