What are Pig Launchers and Receivers?

Pig launchers and receivers are very crucial components of pigging systems.Pig launchers are used to store the pigs and also send the pigs into the pipelines. Pig receivers are used to receive the pigs when the pigging procedure is finished.

What are Pig Launchers and Receivers ?

Pig launchers and receivers are very crucial components of pigging systems. Pig launchers are used to store the pigs and also send the pigs into the pipelines. Pig receivers are used to receive the pigs when the pigging procedure is finished. The pig launchers are installed at the beginning of the pigging pipeline. For Hyperfore pig launchers, they are usually installed vertically, and the position is right after the pump outlet. The pig receivers are to stop the pigs after a successful run of pigging procedure. The pig receivers are installed right close to discharging point, such as the inlet of the storage tanks or the filling machines.

Functions of the pig launchers and pig receivers

Pig launchers/pig launching stations

Pig launchers are also used to store the pigs as a container. The pigs can be held tightly in Hyperfore pig launchers to prevent them from moving around. They can only be moved by driving force activated by automation program. For sanitary application fields, such as food and beverage industries, the design of pig launchers are usually hygienic, like Hyperfore pig launchers or launching stations, that is to say, there is no dead corner of the pig launchers and if the liquid products pass by the launchers, they can easily be cleaned and washed away. There is an inlet port in the launching station, it is provided for the product, air and CIP liquid to flow in.

When the pigs return to the launching stations for CIP cleaning, the launchers work as the pig home base, the pigs have to stay in the launchers to be cleaned.

Pig receivers/pig receiving stations

When the run of pigging procedure has finished, the pig receivers are used to stop the pigs at the end of the transfer line and just ahead of the discharging point. Normally when the pigs arrive at the pig receivers, the liquid products are sent to the storage tanks and filling machines. There is an inlet and outlet port in the bypass pipeline near the receivers, they are provided for the propelling air to come into the pipes to send to pigs back to the launchers.

Pig lip (pig disc) relax receivers:

Hyperfore pig lip relax receiver is specially for lip pigs. is actually a pig lip relaxing chamber that is installed close to the pig receiver. When the lip pigs travel along the pipeline to the pig receiver, the lips (or discs) are compressed tightly so as to scrape the residue products stuck to the inner wall of pipelines. The pig lip relax receiver allows the pig disc to relax and reorient, ready for travelling back to the pig launching station. Whether lip pigs or one-piece pigs depend on the applications. In some sanitary applications, if the products contain solid or the pipe may cause friction, lip pigs and relax receivers are recommended.

Pig stoppers:

The pig stoppers work like pig receivers in some circumstances, especial for pigging in multiple destinations application. The pig can move on to different destinations one by one along the pigging pipeline, the pig stopper can stop the pig before the appointed destination according to process sequence.

What are the features of the pig launcher and receiver?

These features include:

• Sensors are mounted on the exterior of the pig launchers, sending proximity signals to the automation control system to track the location of the pig.
• Sensors are mounted on the exterior of the pig receivers,
• Easy pig insertion and removal for pig launchers and pig receivers in Hyperfore pig system
• Pig sensor for pig detection in the relax chamber.
• Inlet and outlet ports are provided for CIP fluid, propellant air and venting of mixed air and liquid product.
• Inlet and outlet ports for the purpose of CIP fluid supply and discharging.

Applicable for single pig systems, double-pig systems and multiple destination systems.

Working principle of pig launcher and pig receiver

The two pictures below represent one kind of Hyperfore pig launchers and pig receivers, they are automatic controlled and suitable for sanitary applications.

After the product transfer is stopped, the pigging procedure begins. and the valves close to the launching station are open to allow propellant air to come in, the rod in the launcher pushes the pig to the outlet of it, sensors send signals to the control system, showing that the pig is in the right position. And the air drives the pig to start off. The pig is driven along the pipeline to its destination. Once the pig arrives at the receiving station, it is stopped by the receiver from moving forward, the sensor on the receiver locates the position of the pig and sends signals to the control system, then propellant is introduced at the receiver to send to pig back to the launcher, the home of the pig. The pigging system can be mounted to recover product to the filling machine or destination tank, at the same time, it can clean the pipeline.