Cleaning the pipeline before alignment for long-distance pipelines
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As the title suggests: What methods are generally used for cleaning the inside of long-distance pipelines before alignment? What is the performance like, and what is the feasibility of using it on-site? The construction party refused to clean the area when pipe alignment was not possible, citing the need to clean the pipes using a ball later on; they merely swept away the dirt and debris from around the pipe ends.
After cleaning the pipeline, strange things often come out – dead pigs and dogs; it is said that there have even been children as well. It’s scary.
Pipes generally need to be cleaned before welding, and the method depends on the pipe size. Pipes with a size greater than 500 usually require manual cleaning, while those smaller than 500 can be cleaned by using a brush attached to a wire or rope to scrub back and forth.
Generally, a mouthpiece is used for this purpose; before using it, wipe the outer part of the mouthpiece with a cloth, and then it can be used. The dirt on the opening of the tube needs to be cleaned separately, and any visible dust should be removed. If there is no visible dust, it isn’t necessarily necessary to go through this process.
I’ve seen construction companies make their own pigging devices, which look like mops, and they are operated in a similar manner to mops
1. When storing pipes, it is best to seal both ends of the pipe openings (using plastic caps)； 2. Clean the welded steel pipe during alignment welding ； 3. Before commissioning, use pigging devices and ball strings for ball pigging ； 4. After the pigging is completed, it is advisable to perform a purging step as well, which is beneficial for the operation of the separator.