Mechanical Pigs

Cokebusters’ mechanical pigs are purpose-designed tools developed specifically for the controlled mechanical decoking of complex process tubing and pipelines.

As a specialist mechanical pig manufacturer and supplier, Cokebusters designs, fabricates and maintains industrial mechanical pigs in-house to patented designs. This approach provides full control over performance, quality and availability, while enabling rapid response to project-specific and asset-specific requirements.

The mechanical pig portfolio includes approximately 50 incremental pig sizes, covering internal diameters from 1” to 12”. Where required, custom mechanical pigs can be manufactured off-spec to suit unique geometries, operating constraints or cleaning objectives.

Designed for Control
and Flexibility

All mechanical scraper pigs feature a patented construction, including a soft inner core that allows the pigs to navigate tight geometries such as 1D bends and reduced throat box headers commonly found in fired heaters.

In-house design and manufacture enables Cokebusters to maintain full control of its supply chain and to respond quickly to customisation requests. Pig configurations can be adapted to suit the specific decoking task, asset geometry and operational objectives.

Mechanical pigs are engineered to remove fouling gently and progressively, minimising the risk of tube damage while delivering effective, repeatable cleaning performance and predictable behaviour through complex piping systems.

Key Features

  • Patented mechanical scraper pig designs
  • Approximately 50 incremental pig sizes from 1” to 12” diameter
  • Off-spec manufacture available for bespoke applications
  • Stud pattern options tailored to the specific decoking task
  • Adjustable material hardness ratings (Shore A) to balance cleaning effectiveness and tube navigation
  • Designed to provide full 360° circumferential coverage through bends and pipework
  • Capable of negotiating short-radius return bends, plug headers, mule ears and flat-back bends
  • Bi-directional operation and control
  • Low-pressure operation with typical operating pressures around 250 psi
  • Continuous monitoring of pressure, flow and pig position during operation

Operational Capability

Mechanical pigs are deployed as part of Cokebusters’ mechanical pigging systems using Double Pumping Units, allowing precise control over flow, pressure and pig movement throughout the decoking process.

Where required, residual water can be removed from process pipework following operations. A full passivation procedure for stainless steel tubing can also be provided in accordance with NACE RP0170 requirements.

Alternative pig designs and configurations can be accommodated to suit unique or non-standard applications, ensuring flexibility across a wide range of assets and mechanical pigging solutions.

Testing and Development

Each Double Pumping Unit is fitted with Cokebusters’ proprietary InnerVision™ monitoring system.

Cokebusters operates dedicated test loops at its premises, enabling operators to be process-trained and new pig designs, materials or configurations to be evaluated and validated prior to site deployment.

This continuous development and testing capability ensures that mechanical pigs perform predictably and safely when deployed in challenging industrial environments.

Key Features

  • Full in-house mechanical pig design, fabrication and manufacturing control
  • Wide diameter coverage with incremental sizing
  • Rapid customisation to suit asset-specific requirements
  • Proven capability in complex geometries
  • Gentle, low-pressure mechanical pigging
  • Reduced risk of tube damage
  • Validated through testing and operator training prior to deployment