16" ANSI 600 Piggable Switch
16" ANSI 600 Piggable Switch
(OP)
In the interest of cost savings, we are considering building one pig launcher and using a "pig switch" for bi-directional smart pigging of a 16" natural gas line. I've been able to find two manufacturers:
Globetech http ://www.glo betech-ser vices.com/ PigSysComp onents.htm and
BKW http://www.bkwinc.com/pigging.html.
My question to the forum is do any of you have experience with a pig switch, and if so, what are your thoughts?
Thanks
Globetech http
BKW http://www.bkwinc.com/pigging.html.
My question to the forum is do any of you have experience with a pig switch, and if so, what are your thoughts?
Thanks





RE: 16" ANSI 600 Piggable Switch
RE: 16" ANSI 600 Piggable Switch
http://www.apachepipe.com/
There is local indication (flag) and electrical signal.
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RE: 16" ANSI 600 Piggable Switch
I came up with an arrangement of valves, ells, spool pieces, by-pass, etc., that would allow a tool to be launched in either direction with out having to shut down the line. The thing is that the client doesn’t want to have to deal with disassembly, possible spillage, etc. The whole thing seems pretty slick; I just haven’t found an engineer that has used an arrangement like this before.
RE: 16" ANSI 600 Piggable Switch
My confusion comes from the idea that a pigging switch (which will work well to allow two lines to share a launcher) will do the same job. The switch will have to sit somewhere (probably either end of the line if you want the whole line to be piggable in both directions) so for it to allow the pig to either run north or south you'll have to run a second line to the other end won't you?
If you're interested, I have a document under "Samples" on my web page called "Rules of Thumb for Gathering Equipment" that has a discussion of pigging equipment that might be useful (you're welcome to the document, it is an accumulation of stuff that has worked for me over the years).
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
www.muleshoe-eng.com
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RE: 16" ANSI 600 Piggable Switch
We do have combination receiver/launcher, but they run in the same direction. So, we receive a pig from up stream pipe, and then use the same tube to launch it downstream.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: 16" ANSI 600 Piggable Switch
The line we are considering using the pig-switch for is part of a gas storage facility. The line will carry saturated brine north and south from the facility to several brine water disposal wells.
The conventional arrangement is where a single line comes from the brine water pump, splits off into two lines where one runs north and another one south. These lines would each then have a pig launcher and a receiver set up in the conventional manner.
A non-sealing pig switch/switchable diverter would allow us to have a single pig launcher, the pig switch, with one leg of the wye going north, and the other going south, each to their respective pig catchers.
At approximately $150K for each pig launcher and a pig switch around $30K, the single launcher/pig-switch arrangement makes much more economic sense. The thing is none of the engineers either here at my company or others I keep in touch with have any knowledge of pig-switches. I understand this is not a common arrangement – have any of you ever seen something like this?
--Thanks again for your help
RE: 16" ANSI 600 Piggable Switch
What you've described is two separate lines sharing a receiver. There are several ways to do this with pipe and fittings, but all will cost more than $30k. I'd go with the pig-switch, contact the vendor for references.
David