What Does
Pig Tracker Mean?
A pig tracker is a device used to monitor and identify the movement and location of a pipeline pig. Pig trackers are equipped with a receiver that intercepts the signal emitted by a transmitter installed on the cleaning pig. Pig trackers allow operating and maintenance companies to minimize the costs associated with excavating and removing lost or stuck pipeline pigs.
Corrosionpedia Explains Pig Tracker
During pigging operations, it is essential to know the whereabouts of the pig in the pipeline at any given time. Before the advent of pig tracking technology, operators had to identify the location of pigs visually. However, most liquid processing applications operate in closed systems and use solid pipework, and modern pigs are capable of traversing pipelines at high speeds. These characteristics make visual pig tracking methods impractical and unsafe.
Pig trackers are installed at specific locations on the pipe’s exterior. When the pig passes the tracker, a detector picks up the signal transmitted by the pig. Most trackers are equipped with LED lights to alert operators when the pig passes the tracker.