Ice Pigging: A New Approach To Cleaning Pressurised Pipelines

Annual Conference

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Ice Pigging is an innovative technique used for cleaning pressurised water and wastewater pipelines.

Ice pigging takes advantage of both the liquid and solid properties of an ice slurry. The ice acts as a liquid whilst being injected into the pipe, usually through an existing fitting such as a hydrant or air valve. Once the ice has been pumped in, the pipe is pressurized causing the ice to act as a solid pig. It is then pushed along the pipe with the cleaning power of a solid whilst still navigating bends, fittings and changes in diameter. It is these properties that allow Ice Pigging to be used, so successfully, in the cleaning of water mains and sewer rising mains.

This paper outlines both the Ice Pigging process and the many advantages to the technique. Further to this it will look in detail at several Ice Pigging projects undertaken by Suez that demonstrate these economic, operational and reduced customer impact benefits.

  • Ice Pigging the entire potable water network in Blackwater, QLD, a town that experienced such severe discoloured water problems, prior to our cleaning project, Council was required to hold monthly meeting with its customers to ameliorate their concerns.
  • Ice Pigging a sewer rising main in Nambucca, NSW. This rising main suffered from low flows and was so fragile it was believed that it could not be cleaned. Ice Pigging the line significantly increased flow and the pipe suffered no damage.
    • Ice Pigging has been in use, Australia wide, for over five years now. This gives us the advantage of being able to introduce a tried and tested product to the New Zealand market.
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    Conference Papers
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    ICE PIGGING - A NEW APPROACH TO CLEANING PRESSURISED PIPELINES.pdf

    pdf
    995 KB
    28 Sep 2018

    Thursday Brooklyn 2 4.00pm.pdf

    pdf
    68 MB
    01 Oct 2018