Think of pigging systems as a mechanical CIP ‘pre-rinse’. Hygienic Pigging systems remove initial soiling, wipe the inner pipe walls and allow you to start traditional CIP cleaning with a significantly reduced soil load. This reduces the quantity of detergent which in turn reduces the rinse water required and the overall time to complete CIP and get back into production.
By converting a waste stream into revenue Martec hygienic pigging system offers rapid return on investment.
Pigging has evolved. Martec’s patented vortex cleaning chamber is a CIP design dream. And with the MarplugTM shape of pig you don’t have concerns about pigs getting stuck as the flexible vanes rides over dent and even making it possible to pig through flexi-hoses and flow plates.
MARTEC’s state of the art ‘Product Recovery Solutions’ are re-establishing pigging as a viable method of recovering product and reducing waste in hygienic production environments.
Launch Station
The pig is introduced into the product line by being loaded into the launch station, also sometimes know as a pig launcher. The Launch Station is specially designed for each application as dictated by the operating parameters of the system. Key issues for consideration included whether the pig remains captive or is loaded prior to each launch sequence. The pig is driven by compressed air, process water, CIP fluid or even a following batch of product.
The launch sequence is initiated by the pig first being engaged in the throttle of the launch station. This may be achieved automatically using a pneumatic ram, sequential with closing of the Launch Station or initiated manually by an operator.
The following product recovery sequence is controlled either manually or fully automatically.
For high hygienic applications Martec additionally offer a clean-in-place (CIP) solution integral to the launch station along with an EHEDG certified ball valve. Based on patented Vortex cleaning technology this ensures the pig is fully cleaned without manual handling and stored, in a clean state ready for subsequent use. Being isolated from product during production there is reduced potential for cross contamination between product formulations.
Vortex Chamber
Enables highly effective washing of the pig (particuularly within the flexible vane voids) with cyclonic vortex cleaning action. The Martec standard Product Recovery System is fitted with a Vortex Cleaning Chamber to ensure efficient cleaning and safeguard the pig's mechanical and chemical properties.
New pigging technology
Ice Pigging has established itself as a novel approach. Martec beleives there is a place for this new technology, particularly so for 'unpiggable' equipment such as heat exchangers. There are restrictions on the ability of ice pigging to satisfy many traditional pigging applications. The tight temperature conditions to achieve the optimum ice slurry means pipework operating at food production temperatures cannot be effectively pigged in comparison to traditional methods.