
This solution harnesses the complex properties of semi-solid ice, which can be pumped like a liquid, but acts like a solid when a ‘pig’ of ice is formed within a pipe. Under pressure this removes sediment and built-up deposits to leave the pipe clear and obstruction-free. A relatively quick process, it also leaves pipe walls undamaged.
Among its many advantages, ice pigging is:
4,500
km
of pipes have been cleaned with ice pigging globally
Ice pigging uses less water and requires less clean-up than traditional underground pipe-flushing or other pigging techniques.
When the ice pig is inserted into the pipe, its semi-liquid form adapts to the topography of the pipes and any changes in diameter, making it an ideal solution to common pigging problems – while avoiding the risk of damage to pipe walls.
The duration of a typical operation will depend on the length, diameter and material of the pipe to be cleaned. However, outage is usually less than 30 minutes for short runs of less than 1km, rising to three to four hours for runs of up to 5km.
Ice pigging is also versatile, and suitable for applications ranging from water and wastewater or effluent pipework to oil and gas and the food and beverage sector.
Ice pigging was used to clean a section of dairy rising main due to material build-up on the pipe wall and the effects of this to the performance of the main.
Wessex WaterUnited Kingdom
Ice pigging was chosen as a low-risk pipe cleaning solution to remove sediment in parts of the water network as part of [the SUEZ] water framework.
Dwr Cymru Welsh WaterWales