Subsea PIG Detector

PIG detection made easy and reliable.
Pigging is part of day-to-day operations on many offshore and onshore installations. The operator requires a reliable method of confirming a pig has left the launcher, arrived at the receiver, or passed certain locations anywhere along the pipeline.
The ClampOn DSP PIG Detector, based on ClampOn’s patented Ultrasonic Intelligent Sensor technology platform, is a compact and user-friendly instrument. It provides reliable detection of any type of pig, and is non-intrusive. The ClampOn DSP PIG Detector detects and monitors when the PIG is passing the point of installation.
Providing reliable information about the passage of the PIG increases pipeline integrity and produces cost savings.

The ClampOn subsea sensors are designed to meet these requirements:

  • Designed for a service life of more than 25 years
  • Independent redundant electronics
  • Independent high and atmosphere pressure chambers
  • Electron beam (EB) welding of the chamber against external pressure (no rubber or mechanical seals)
  • Glass-metal penetrator as a barrier between high and atmosphere pressure chambers
  • Outstanding sensitivity, repeatability, accuracy and signal/noise ratio thanks to Digital Signal Processing (DSP)

The ClampOn DSP Pig Detector, available in topside and subsea versions, is a more compact and user-friendly unit than other instruments on the market. It is easier to install in the field and easier to move to other locations.

DSP involves complete digitalization of the system and the elimination of analogue filters. This technology is increasingly used in a wide range of “smart electronic devices” as it provides sufficient capacity to perform advanced signal-processing tasks in real time. Such devices include medical diagnostic instruments, radar and sonar systems and mobile phones. ClampOn is the only manufacturer of pig detection systems to use DSP, which enables the sensor to operate in several frequency ranges simultaneously, eliminating the danger of the detector being triggered by noise sources other than pigs.

Subsea PIG Detector listing image

All our instruments are equipped with both digital and analogue interface, and comply with all common protocols. Our instruments can easily be integrated into any existing or new control system. A computer with our software is often used in-between our instruments and the control system. The computer will be used for sand calculation by using the RAW data from our sand detectors and flow data from third party systems, then output calculated sand rate to the control system. All recorded data will also be stored for analyzing and calibration purposes. We always recommend using the digital interface due to following benefits:

  • Two way communication enabling instrument software update and configuration
  • Full signal range resolution
  • All sensor data can be transmitted
  • No signal loss

Subsea PIG Detector
Principle of operation Passive acoustics and/or magnetic gate
Type of Pig All types
Minimum Pig Speed 0.3 meter per second
Method of installation Clamped to pipe surface, non-intrusive
Processing Intelligent DSP electronics inside sensor unit
Interface options RS485, ModBus RTU, Canbus, SIIS L2
Two-way communication Yes
Software upgrading Yes
Repeatability Better than 1 %
Flow regimes Oil, gas, water, multiphase
Diagnostic features Self test, vibration, 0.25Hz – 1000Hz ±5G
Max Water depth 3 048 m [10 000 ft]
Housing material Titanium, grade 2/5
Dimensions 89 mm × 489 mm/485 mm [3.5 in × 19.3 in/19.1 in]
Weight 5.2 kg [11.5 lb] air / 4.7 kg [10.4 lb] water
PBOF hose type Siemens AquaTRON or client specification
EFL connector type To client specifications, Tronic or ODI
Rated voltage range, Udc 18 V to 30 V, Unom = 24 V (reverse polarity and transient protection)
MTBF 30 years
Qualification Q1 and Q2 in accordance with API Standard 17F:2023
Detection mode Acoustic, magnetic, combined acoustic and/or magnetic
All specifications are subject to change without notice.

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