HPS Pigging Systems Reduce Carbon Footprint by Tonnes of Carbon Every Day

Liquid product recovery (“pigging”) systems are increasingly being used to recover the residual liquid from process pipelines. They’re an incredibly effective way to increase yields and capacity, save on waste treatment and disposal costs, speed up changeovers, decrease cross-contamination, plus much more.

Another major benefit of product recovery and pigging systems is that they improve environmental sustainability. This includes lowering carbon footprint.

This is reflected in a recent report from sustainability and energy consultancy Carbon-Zero.

According to the report, companies that pump liquids or wet products through a pipeline can reduce their carbon footprint by tonnes of carbon every day by using HPS pigging technology.

How Pigging Works

Pigging works by using a specialist projectile to recover, rather than waste, residual liquid in process pipelines, for example when there’s a changeover in products.

The projectile (the ‘pig’) has an interference fit. As the pig travels through the pipe, very little liquid can get past it. So, this enables the pig to recover practically all the product to its destination, instead of wasting it.

Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Saved Daily

Pigging systems are used in a wide variety of sectors, industries, and applications.

Foods, beverages, confectionery, personal care, cosmetics, lubricants, pet food, homecare, paint, and coatings – the list goes on.  

However, the Carbon-Zero report specifically focuses on water-based and solvent-based paint production as examples.

The report finds that approximately 2.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent are saved every time there’s a product changeover. This is compared to conventional flushing processes and in terms of equivalent carbon savings.

And with many companies using shared pipelines for different configurations of product, they make several changeovers every day.

The Problem with Conventional Flushing

Conventional line flushing is frequently used to remove residual liquid product remaining in the pipeline when changing from one product to another. This process often uses significant amounts of water, energy, and resources.

In addition, the flush water often goes down the drain at the end of the cycle, which is a considerable waste.

However, with a pigging system in place, a significant amount of carbon dioxide is saved every time there’s a product changeover.

The Carbon-Zero report also highlights that, even when accounting for the embodied carbon used in manufacturing the pigging system, the carbon payback periods are instant. In addition, savings of over 95% carbon emissions per changeover are achievable.

Lowering Carbon Footprint by Pigging

So, why is pigging technology more effective at reducing carbon in comparison to conventional flushing?

Because pigging recovers so much product from the pipe, it reduces the need for long and continuous water flushes between product transfers and changeovers. In this way, pigging reduces water use considerably.

Also, pigging technology cuts waste, decreases the use of CIP chemicals, and lowers related transport and disposal costs. So, pigging systems have a positive environmental impact, while offering significant carbon savings.

Additional Benefits of Pigging

In addition to the environmental benefits, pigging systems deliver a wide range of additional benefits to companies that pump liquids.

These benefits included higher product yields, increased capacity, faster changeover times, reduced downtime, minimized contamination and cross-contamination risks, improved productivity, and better margins.

That’s why pigging systems are increasingly being implemented in liquid processing plants throughout the world, especially in hygienic, sanitary, and other liquid processes.

Can Be Applied to All Sectors

Although the report by Carbon-Zero is based on carbon savings in paint production, the findings can be applied to all sectors that process liquids.

Essentially, for companies that pump liquids and wet products and implement a pigging system, the carbon savings are going to be high compared to the conventional flush process.

Start Pigging Today!

There’s a critical need for companies that process liquids to reduce their carbon emissions.

HPS Product Recovery Solutions are the world’s leading specialists in process pigging and liquid product recovery solutions.

If you’re looking to reduce your environmental sustainability and lower carbon footprint, contact HPS.

E: info@hps-pigging.com

T: +44 (0) 115 925 4700

W: www.HPS-Pigging.com