Description

What is a pipeline pig launcher and receiver?

A pipeline pig launcher is a pressure vessel mounted at the start of a pipeline. It holds a pig, then drives it into the line with product flow or a bypass. The receiver sits at the other end and traps the pig when the run finishes. Both barrels keep the same internal bore as the pipeline, so the pig passes through without hanging up.EMT supplies the pair as a matched set. You work with one welding procedure, one inspection record, and a single supplier.

How a pig launcher works

The operator opens the Bandlock closure and loads the pig into the barrel. A kicker line (or small bypass) routes product behind the pig  while the main valve stays closed. Once pressure builds, the launcher valve opens and the flow pushes the pig down the line.

At the receiving end, the pig travels into the receiver barrel and hits the blind end. A pig signaler on the launcher and receiver confirms passage. The operator then depressurizes, opens the closure, and pulls the pig out.

Specifications

Parameter	Range / Option
Size (nominal)	2″ – 48″ (DN50 – DN1200)
Pressure class	Class 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, 2500 (ASME B16.5 / B16.47)
Barrel design	Full bore, horizontal or vertical
Material	A106 Gr.B / A105, A312 TP304/316, low-temp, clad
Closure	Bandlock locking-ring quick opening closure
Sour service	NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 available
Certification	ASME U-stamp, material test reports
End connection	Flanged (RF/RTJ) or butt-weld to pipeline
Pig signaler	Mechanical or magnetic, launcher + receiver
Coating	External paint per client spec; internal as-ordered

Launcher vs receiver: what actually changes

The launcher needs a way to introduce the pig against live pressure. That means a loading barrel, a kicker line, and often a vent at the top. The receiver needs a catch section long enough to hold the pig plus debris, and a drain at the bottom.

The barrels, closures, and ratings are the same. We mirror the geometry to your pipeline and ship both in one package.

Why EMT fits the Bandlock closure

The Bandlock is a locking-ring quick opening closure. You turn the handwheel, the ring retracts, and the door swings open. No bolts, no studs, no torquing sequence. On a pig launcher that opens several times a week, that saves real time.We machine the closure and the barrel in the same shop, so the bore and seal faces match by default.

 

Built for sour service and offshore

Pigs run through everything the line carries: H2S, CO2, produced water, sand. We offer carbon steel (A106/A105), stainless (A312), and low-temperature grades. For sour service per NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156, we control hardness and weld procedures to the standard.

Every unit carries ASME U-stamp certification and full material test reports.

Key Features

• Bandlock quick-opening closure— opens in seconds with no bolts, so crews launch and recover pigs faster.
• Full-bore barrel— matches pipeline ID, so pigs and instruments pass without snagging.
• Sizes 2″–48″— covers gathering lines up to transmission mains from one supplier.
• Class 150–2500 rating— handles low-pressure water lines and high-pressure gas alike.
• NACE MR0175 option— approved for sour service with hardness-controlled welds.
• ASME U-stamp— certified pressure vessel with full traceable documentation.
• Paired set, single contact— launcher and receiver designed and inspected together.

FAQ

What size pipeline pig launcher do I need?

Match the launcher’s nominal size and bore to your pipeline. EMT builds launchers and receivers from 2″ to 48″. For the bore, we keep it equal to the pipeline internal diameter so the pig travels cleanly.

Can a pipeline pig launcher handle sour (H2S) service?

Yes. We offer NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 compliance with hardness-controlled welds and documented procedures. Tell us the H2S partial pressure and we’ll specify the material grade.

How fast does the Bandlock closure open?

One operator opens it by hand in about a minute, with no studs or torque tools. That matters on lines where you launch pigs daily.

Do you supply launcher and receiver together?

We ship them as a matched set with one welding procedure and one inspection record. You get one supplier instead of coordinating two.