Description

Why Choose Ball Pig Pipeline Cleaning?

A ball pig pipeline sphere is the simplest, most forgiving tool for routine pigging. Our spheres sit slightly larger than the pipe ID, so they scrape the wall as they travel. Consequently, they push out free liquids, loose scale, and batch interfaces without leaving dead spots.

Unlike rigid pigs, a sphere flexes through dents, ovality, and tight-radius bends. Therefore, it is the first choice for old lines, subsea spools, and temporary cleanup after hydrotest. You launch it from a standard pig trap and recover it at the receiver.

Key Features

• Full-bore sealing — The oversize body contacts the entire circumference, so it sweeps liquids that bypass rigid pigs.
• Bend and dent passage — A flexible sphere clears radius bends and deformed sections that solid pigs cannot enter.
• Hollow or solid options — Choose a hollow sphere you can fill with water or nitrogen to set the exact drive pressure.
• Batching isolation — A sphere with a one-way valve separates two product batches and prevents mixing at the interface.
• Low unit cost — Polyurethane spheres cost far less than mandrel pigs, so you can run them disposable or reusable.
• Traceable material — Every sphere ships with a mill certificate and hardness test record.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Value
Product Type	Ball pig / sphere pig (solid or hollow)
Pipe Size Range	DN50–DN1200 (2″–48″)
Oversize Ratio	2%–10% over nominal pipe ID
Material	Cast polyurethane (PU), nitrile rubber optional
Hardness	Shore A 75–95 (customizable)
Operating Temp.	-40 °C to +80 °C (standard PU)
Pressure Rating	Up to 150 bar (line dependent)
Valve Option	One-way fill valve for hollow batching sphere
Color Coding	Per size / oversize for field identification
Certification	ISO 9001, Mill Test Certificate (EN 10204 3.1)
Application	Dewatering, cleaning, liquid removal, product batching

Applications

Operators run our pipeline sphere for three main jobs. First, dewatering and cleaning after hydrotest pushes water and debris out before commissioning. Second, routine liquid removal keeps wet-gas lines and slug catchers free of collected condensate. Third, batching spheres carry a one-way valve that isolates two product grades in a multi-product line.

A ball pig pipeline for gas pipeline dewatering is especially common. Gas lines collect condensate at low points, and a sphere sweeps those traps in one pass. In contrast, refining and tank-farm lines use the same sphere to separate gasoline, diesel, and jet batches without cross-contamination.

Material & Design

We mold each sphere from cast polyurethane for abrasion resistance and memory recovery. The oversize is set per line survey, so the sphere seats firmly yet recovers shape after each run. Hollow versions accept a fill valve, letting you tune weight and drive pressure on site.

Surface finish stays smooth to protect internal coating. However, we can add light striations on request for heavier wax or scale service. Every sphere is color-coded by size and oversize for quick field checks.

Why Believe in EMT

As a ball pig pipeline manufacturer and trusted ball pig pipeline supplier, EMT controls molding, hardness, and oversize in-house. Therefore, we match each sphere to your line survey instead of shipping a generic size. We also bundle spheres with pig traps, quick-opening closures, and pig signallers from one source.

Our team reviews your pipe size, bend radius, and service fluid before quoting. Consequently, you receive spheres that seat correctly on the first run. Full material traceability and short lead times protect your shutdown schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a sphere pig and when should I use one?

A sphere pig is an oversize polyurethane ball launched through a pipe to remove liquids, wax, and debris. Use it for dewatering, routine cleaning, and batch separation, especially in old or bent lines where rigid pigs stall.

Q: Can a ball pig separate two different products in one line?

Yes. A hollow sphere with a one-way fill valve works as a batching sphere. It carries the interface between two grades and prevents mixing, which refineries use for gasoline, diesel, and jet batches.

Q: Do you supply ball pigs with pig traps and signallers together?

EMT supplies the full pigging set: spheres, pig launcher and receiver, QOC quick-opening closures, and intrusive pig signallers. One purchase order covers the complete cleaning and batching package.

Q: How do I choose the right oversize for my line?

Send us your pipe ID, bend radius, and service fluid. We set the oversize ratio, usually 2%–10%, so the sphere seals the bore yet passes dents and tight bends without lodging.