DEUTSCHE NORM November 2002

Piggable piping systems DIN

Part 3: Trial pigging (prior to commissioning)
2430-3
ICS 23.040.01

Rohrleitungen fOr Molchanlagen - Teil 3: PrOfung vor Inbetriebnahme

In keeping with current practice in standards published by the International Organization for Standardization
(ISO), a comma has been used throughout as the decimal marker.

Foreword
This standard has been prepared by Technical Committee Mo/chbare industrie/le Rohrleitungen of the Nor-
menausschuss Rohrleitungen und Dampfkesselanlagen (Pipelines and Boilers Standards Committee).
The DIN 2430 series of standards comprises:
Part 1: Straight pipes and elbows
Part 2: Pipe joints
Part 3: Trial pigging (prior to commissioning)

1 Scope
This standard deals with the trial pigging, prior to commissioning, of piping systems used mainly in the
chemical industry.

2 Preliminary checks and Inspections

Prior to trial pigging the following shall be carried out:
- checking the installed piping system for conformity with DIN 2430-1 and DIN 2430-2;
- preliminary cleaning of piping system by purging;
- inspection of piping system for external defects;
- inspection of piping system for internal defects using an intelligent pig;
- function testing of valves;
- pressure and leaktightness test in accordance with relevant codes of practice;
- checking the pig with respect to its type, dimensions, material and surface finish, documenting the
results.
Trial pigging shall be carried out using the same pig type as is used in service.

Continued on page 2 .

Translation by DIN-Sprachendienst.
In case of doubt. the German-language original should be consulted as the authoritative text.

C No part of this translation may be reproduced without the prior permission of Ref. No. DIN 2430-3 : 2002-11
DIN Deutsches Inst/lut fOr Nonnung e. V.. Berlin. Beuth Verlag GmbH. 10772 Berlin. Germany, Eng/ish price group 05 Sales No. 0105
has the exclusive right of sale for German Standards (DIN-Nonnen).
09.03
Page 2
DIN 2430-3 : 2002-11

3 Trial pigging
3.1 General
Trial pigging serves to check the quality of pipes, pipe bends, joints, valves and welds for any defects.
Trial pigging may be carried out using a liquid (see subclause 3.2) or gaseous (see subclause 3.3) propelling
medium.
In order to facilitate pigging operations, several Iitres of an antiseize agent (preferably the same product as is
used in service) shall be introduced into the system in front of the pig to pervent seizure.

3.2 Liquid medium

The pig shall be run through the pipe using a liquid propelling medium, at a constant mass flow and at a speed
of about 0,1 m/s. Care should be taken to prevent an air cushion forming between the pig and the medium.
The performance of the pigging system shall be documented, recording the fluid pressure during pigging
operations in a pressure/time diagram.
When using this method, the location of imperfections can be established with adequate accuracy by calcu-
lation, based on the quantity of medium used and the running time of the pig.

3.3 Gaseous medium

The pig shall be run through the pipe using a gaseous propelling medium, at a speed of about 1 m/s.
The performance of the pigging system shall be documented recording the fluid pressure during pigging
operations in a pressure/time diagram.
This method does not permit imperfections to be exactly localized. It is, however, a simple and rapid method
for assessing the general condition of the system. Should any defect be discovered, it can be localized by
additional trial pigging using a liquid medium.

3.4 Evaluation
The results of trial pigging are highly dependent on the method, the pig and antiseize agent used and require
qualitative evaluation of the pressure/time diagram. A reliable assessment can only be made by comparing the
results with those obtained from a pressure/time diagram of a reference piping system comprising the same
elements as the system under test.
Peak pressures during trial pigging higher than those in the reference system are indicative of defects in the
piping system (e.g. pipe bends with constricted bore, weld sagging, incorrect valve setting).
Other imperfections may be detected indirectly by inspecting the pig surface. This may show signs of wear or
grooving due to a rough pipe wall surface, weld imperfections, etc.

4 Safety information
The gas at the back of the pig may be at a high pressure. Since this constitutes an extreme risk,
a) it shall be ensured that only suitable valves are used when the pig is changed;
b) the piping system shall be completely relieved before the pig is introduced or withdrawn;
c) the relevant safety instructions of the manufacturer shall be observed.