Description

Product Brief Introduction

A pig launcher is a pressure vessel that loads cleaning or inspection pigs into a live pipeline; its paired receiver catches them downstream. EMT builds both to ASME B31.4 and B31.8 with Bandlock quick opening closures and ASME U-Stamp certification.

What Problem Does a Pig Launcher Solve?

Operators who pig a line without a permanent trap must shut down, depressurize, and cut open the pipe. Consequently, every cleaning run costs production hours. Temporary setups also raise safety exposure, because crews handle bolted covers under residual pressure.

Q: Why does a permanent pig launcher beat a temporary setup?

A: A temporary rig demands isolation, venting, and re-welding for each run. In contrast, a permanent pig launcher stays tied into the line. Therefore crews load a pig, equalize pressure, and launch within minutes. Furthermore, the Bandlock closure removes stud torquing, so one operator works the door safely.

Technical Parameters

EMT designs every pig launcher to ASME B31.4, ASME B31.8, and ASME Section VIII Division 1. Moreover, we mirror your pipeline bore, so pigs pass without hanging up. Custom sizes ship on request.

Parameter	Specification
Size (nominal)	2″ – 48″ standard (DN50 – DN1200); up to 60″ on request
Pressure class	Class 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, 2500 (ASME B16.5 / B16.47)
Design codes	ASME B31.4, ASME B31.8, ASME Section VIII Division 1
Barrel design	Full bore; horizontal or vertical orientation
Body material	A105 carbon steel, A304 / 316 stainless steel, Duplex stainless steel
Closure type	Bandlock locking-ring quick opening closure (bayonet and clamp types available)
End connection	Flanged (raised face / ring-type joint) or butt-weld to pipeline
Sour service	NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 compliant options
Certification	ASME U-Stamp, EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 mill certificates
Ancillaries	Pig signaller, pressure gauge, vent and drain valves, safety interlock, lifting lugs
Testing	Hydrostatic and pneumatic testing per ASME B31.4 / B31.8
Coating	External blast and primer to client specification; internal lining optional

Pig Launcher Advantages

• Bandlock quick opening closure — One operator opens the door by hand in about a minute, without studs or torque tools
• Full-bore barrel — The bore matches pipeline internal diameter, so pigs and inline inspection tools pass cleanly
• Matched launcher and receiver set — Both vessels share one welding procedure and one inspection record
• Sour service ready — Hardness-controlled welds meet NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 for wet H2S duty
• Four-step safety interlock — A pressure warning screw and mechanical key interlock block the door until the barrel vents
• ASME U-Stamp certification — Every vessel ships with material test reports and hydrostatic test records

Where Are Pig Traps Installed?

Pipeline operators install a pig launcher wherever a line needs regular cleaning, gauging, or inline inspection:

• Onshore transmission trunk lines — Scheduled wax and scale removal on long-distance crude and refined product systems
• Offshore platforms and topsides — Compact vertical barrels fit tight deck space and support hydrate control runs
• Gas gathering networks — Liquid removal keeps compressor stations dry and protects downstream equipment
• Pre-commissioning campaigns — Gauging pigs and brush pigs verify a new line before first product
• Hydrostatic test dewatering — Foam and cup pigs sweep test water out after pressure testing
• Inline inspection programs — Extended barrels accept smart pigs for corrosion and metal-loss surveys

About EMT

EMT manufactures oil and gas pipeline equipment in Shenyang, China, with 25+ years of engineering experience in pressure-containing assemblies.

Capabilities

• Five-axis CNC machining plus a pressure test bay rated to 69 MPa (10,000 psi)
• ASME Section IX qualified welders and in-house NDT: UT, PT, RT, and MT
• Monthly output above 500 quick opening closures and matching trap barrels
• Engineering support in English, Arabic, Spanish, and Chinese

Certifications: ASME U-Stamp, ISO 9001 quality system, NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 sour service compliance, and EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 mill certificates.

Service: We export to 30+ countries. Standard lead time runs 4-6 weeks; custom skids run 6-10 weeks.

Exhibitions

EMT exhibits at major oil and gas events worldwide. Visitors inspect closure mechanisms, review barrel drawings, and discuss trap sizing with our engineers on site.

• ADIPEC 2025, Abu Dhabi, UAE (November 2025)
• NACE Corrosion 2025, Houston, Texas, USA (March 2025)
• OTC Asia 2025, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (March 2025)
• Hannover Messe 2025, Hannover, Germany (April 2025)
• Oil & Gas Asia 2025, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (September 2025)

Send a pre-show request through the contact page, and we will reserve engineering time for your project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What size pig launcher do I need?

A: Match the barrel bore to your pipeline internal diameter. EMT builds traps from 2″ to 48″ as standard, and up to 60″ on request.

Q: Can a pig launcher run in sour service?

A: Yes. We supply NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 compliant materials with hardness-controlled welds. Tell us the H2S partial pressure, and we specify the grade.

Q: How fast does the Bandlock closure open?

A: One operator opens it by hand in roughly a minute, with no studs or torque tools.

Q: Do you supply the launcher and receiver together?

A: Yes. We ship them as a matched set under one welding procedure and one inspection record.

Q: Which design codes apply?

A: We build to ASME B31.4, ASME B31.8, and ASME Section VIII Division 1.

Related Products

• QOC Bandlock Quick Opening Closure — The closure fitted to every EMT trap barrel
• Pig Signaller — Confirms pig passage at the launcher and receiver ends
• Pipeline Pig — Cleaning, gauging, and batching pigs sized to your bore