Ice Pigging™
Cleaning Services
For the Ice Pigging cleaning service, tankers of ice slurry are transported to a customers’ site to undertake one off or periodic cleaning. The SUEZ team of Ice Pigging experts have applied this technique to a wide range of pipe networks in sectors such as water, wastewater, industry, and oil & gas.
The delivery equipment ranges in size from two to 15 tons, with a maximum single delivery of 35 tons. This is suitable for cleaning up to 5km of pipework in a single operation. Longer networks can be broken into shorter sections and be cleaned by a scheduled programme of operations.
The service delivery team is based in Bristol and from here they can deliver projects throughout the UK and Northern Europe. For projects further afield, there is a mobile ice generation plant which can supply 10 tons of ice per day. Under licence, Ice Pigging cleaning services are offered in other countries.
How does the Ice Pigging Cleaning Service work?
Before any work starts on site, the SUEZ team work closely with the client to create an effective and efficient cleaning plan. This will break the pipe network into individual operations utilising existing fittings wherever possible and will focus on minimising disruption or any other factors important to the client.
The quantity and consistency of the ice is bespoke to the individual requirements of each application. During the operation, the progress of the Ice Pig is monitored in real-time by the Flow Analysis System which collects data for temperature, flow rate, conductivity, pressure and turbidity.
Depending on the nature of the waste produced, it can either be collected in waste tankers or discharged to the local sewerage network.
Time: Minimum disruption to supply. Several kilometres of trunk main can be cleaned in 2-3 hours and distribution pipes take only minutes
Effectiveness:A physical clean is undertaken rather than just a flush. Quantifiable results show the amount of sediment removed from the network
Ease: Ice is inserted and ejected using existing hydrants, no network modifications are required. The Ice Pig flows through all pipe diameters, fittings, and topographies
Cost: Highly cost effective at a whole project level
Environmental Benefits: The ice is harmless to public health and no harmful chemicals are required
Risk: Exceptionally low risk – if ever the ice gets stuck, it will simply melt
The SUEZ Ice Pigging experts have been working with this technology from the very beginning.
Their unparalleled expertise and skill in Ice Pigging remains unmatched in the industry, and the results they deliver are a direct result of these decades of knowledge.
As the original pioneers of Ice Pigging technology and the leading global providers, SUEZ brings unmatched expertise and experience to every project. Having been involved with Ice Pigging since its start in academia and then as part of its commercial inception, our local teams of operating specialists and engineers are the most experienced crews in delivering superior pipe cleaning solutions using ice. This deep knowledge and skill set ensures the highest quality and most effective outcomes for our clients worldwide.