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igem news

TECHNICAL STANDARDS
TECHNICAL Standards and updates from the IGEM Technical Services team
STANDARDS RECENTLY DRAFTS FOR COMMENT
PUBLISHED IGEM/G/8 Handling,
transport and storage
IGEM/GM/4
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED Flowmetering of PE pipe and fittings
practices (>38bar and
IGEM/GL/10 Gas
<100bar)
IGEM/PRS/40 Medium quality standard
OUR IGEM EXPERTS ANSWER YOUR COMMON TECHNICAL QUESTIONS pressure meter IGEM/IG/1 Standards
of training in gas work
installation kits
IGEM/PRS/41 Low IGEM/UP/9
pressure meter Application of
installation kits natural gas and fuel
oil systems to gas
IGEM/GM/PRS/50 turbines
Meter serial
numbering DRAFTS AFTER COMMENT
IGEM/UP/21 Liquefied
IGEM/UP/16 natural gas fuelling
Design for natural stations
gas installations
on industrial and IGEM/TD/4 PE and
commercial premises steel gas services and
with respect to DSEAR service pipework
IGEM/TD/16 IGEM/TD/12 Pipework
Biomethane injection stress analysis for gas
industry plant
IGEM/TD/19
Reinforced IGEM/TD/13
thermoplastic Pressure regulating
pipelines for high installations
pressure gas IGEM/G/5 Gas in
transmission multi-occupancy
IGEM/SR/18 Safe buildings
working practices to IGEM/GM/6 Non-
ensure the integrity domestic meter
of gas assets installations –
and associated standard designs
installations
IGEM/SR/29 Dealing
with gas escapes

that the pipeline has been internally
contaminated with debris should be
carried out before deciding whether a
Q: WHAT IS PIGGING AND pigs are used to gather information on pigging operation would be beneficial.
WHEN IS IT USED? the condition of the pipeline and the In the case where a hydrostatic test
A: When a pipeline is used over a gravity/location of any fault or problem has taken place, the use of a pigging
period of time, the need for cleaning Special duty pigs are used for special operation is essential to remove the
and inspection arises. Build-up purposes, for example for isolating water and dry out the internal bore of
of debris in a pipeline can lead to a section of a pipeline. Examples the pipeline.
transmittal slows and undetected include plugs.
cracks and pipeline flaws can prove Pigs are launched by pig traps, Q: IF YES, IS THE INITIAL TEST OF
hazardous. For safety reasons, there types of which include: valve type 350MBAR REFERENCED IN IGEM/
has to be a way of ensuring continuous pig launchers, vertical multiple pig TD/3 EDITION 5 APPLICABLE
integrity of a pipeline and fluid flow. launchers, automatic sphere launchers PRIOR TO PIGGING OPERATIONS
Pigs have been used for these purposes. and automatic multiple pig launchers. ASSOCIATED WITH PNEUMATIC
Specialised pigs have been developed Pigging is referenced in a number of TESTS?
for different applications and they fall IGEM standards, including IGEM/TD/3 A: Yes
into different categories: Edition 5 Steel and polyethylene (PE)
Utility pigs pipelines for gas Q: WHAT IS THE RATIONALE FOR
are used for distribution. THE INITIAL 350MBAR TEST?
cleaning A: An initial test of 350mbar is
pipelines to Q: IS PIGGING carried out to ensure the integrity of
improve flow USED IN the pipeline and that the pipe is not
efficiency, ASSOCIATION completely blocked at any point before
separating WITH PNEUMATIC applying the driving pressure required
products in-line, TESTING AS WELL? to push the pig through the pipeline.
dewatering A: It can be, but A pigging operation would be fruitless
pipelines, etc. is generally not if the pipeline failed the initial test,
Inline inspection necessary. An so the failure must be identified and
pigs or intelligent assessment of the risk rectified first.

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