Description
Cavitation Jet Pig
The Cavitation Jet Pipeline Cleaning Pig is an intelligent pipeline inspection gauge (PIG) that utilizes the “cavitation effect” to generate powerful impact forces for cleaning pipeline internal walls.
Its core principle and key characteristics are as follows:
Core Mechanism: Cavitation Effect
As the pig travels through the pipeline, its specially designed cavities or structures direct the flowing medium (typically water or an oil-water mixture) at high velocity.
In specific regions (e.g., constricted passages or Venturi tube structures), the fluid velocity increases dramatically, causing a sharp localized pressure drop.
When the pressure falls below the saturated vapor pressure of the fluid at that temperature, numerous microscopic vapor cavities (bubbles) instantaneously form within the fluid.
These cavities collapse violently (implode) as they are carried downstream into regions of higher pressure.
Cleaning Mechanism: Micro-jet Impingement
The instantaneous collapse of the cavities generates extremely brief but intensely powerful localized high pressure (reaching thousands of atmospheres) and high-velocity micro-jets (reaching hundreds of meters per second).
These dense, high-energy micro-jets directly impinge upon the pipeline wall, targeting adhered deposits (e.g., wax, scale, asphaltenes, sediment, hydrates).
This impact force is characterized by high frequency, high energy, and microscopic focus, effectively fragmenting and dislodging stubborn deposits without causing damage to the metallic pipe wall itself.
Primary Applications:
Oil & Gas Transmission Pipelines: Removal of paraffin wax, asphaltenes, soft scale, soft sediments.
Chemical & Industrial Pipelines: Removal of fouling, polymer residue, biofilms, etc.
Particularly effective for soft or viscoelastic deposits where traditional mechanical pigs (e.g., scraper blades, discs, wire brushes) are less effective.
Key Advantages
High Efficiency: Superior removal efficiency for soft, sticky, or viscoelastic deposits.
Non-Destructive: Cavitation jet energy is concentrated microscopically, generally avoiding damage to the base pipe metal (requires careful evaluation for brittle internal coatings or severely corroded pipe).
Strong Adaptability: Capable of operating in pipelines of varying diameters and significant bends; can traverse some reducers and deformed sections.
Environmentally Friendly: Primarily utilizes the energy of the pipeline’s internal fluid, requiring no additional chemicals (though sometimes used in conjunction with fluids).
Integratable: Often combined with other pigging technologies (e.g., scraper blades, gauging plates, brushes, magnets) to form multi-functional pigs.
In Summary:
The Cavitation Jet Pipeline Cleaning Pig functions like a pipeline cleaner harnessing the “explosive” power of the fluid itself. It generates cavities by creating zones of high velocity and low pressure within the pipe. It uses powerful micro-jets formed during cavity collapse. These jets bombard and dislodge tenacious soft pipe wall deposits. This pig excels at removing soft contaminants. Traditional scraping or brushing often can’t eliminate these. It cleans efficiently without damaging pipeline integrity. This makes it vital for non-destructive cleaning.
