hps pig in hand

HPS liquid product recovery (‘pigging’) systems save companies that process liquids product and money by maximising yield and capacity. Because our systems recoup large amounts of product, they have a high return on investment and a rapid payback period.

But what is the cost of ownership of a pigging system?

The cost of ownership will vary from system to system. Which means that we can’t give you an accurate answer without knowing the details of your system. However, we can give you an idea of the costs that you should consider when looking at pigging systems.

These costs can be broken down into three categories:
• Consumables, which will include items such as spare pigs, valve seals, and valve spindle bush liners.
• Maintenance, particularly replacement of valve seals is essential to the continued smooth running of your system and should be performed regularly.
• Running costs: general costs associated with production, such as water, electricity and propellants will need to be considered, even though they will likely be reduced.

So why are these important financials to consider when looking at a pigging system for your company?

Consumables

Pigging systems will require different consumable products at different stages, depending on frequency of use. Therefore, the number of consumable items that will have to be purchased to keep the system working will vary for each different system.

Items like pigs will need replacing on a semi-regular basis. As a guide, the HPS pig has an average lifespan of 30km or 18 miles, however the exact lifespan varies based on the number of runs, the product being pigged, and temperature of the product.

When you enquire about a system, we will ask you for details on the product being pigged, the temperature (if relevant), and pipe specifications. These details allow us to build a more accurate estimate of how long your pig should last and how frequently you should change it.

Consumables are available to purchase through the HPS pigging spares team, who will ensure that you have the right kit for your system.

Maintenance

You wouldn’t skip your car’s service, and in the same way you shouldn’t skip scheduled maintenance of your pigging system.

HPS can help you with this. Regular maintenance visits by one of our highly qualified engineers will help you to keep on top of any repairs or replacements that may need to be made, as well as giving you peace of mind that your system is still running smoothly.

An HPS maintenance visit consists of an engineer performing an on-site visit and includes spare parts that you may require.
It will take approximately one day per line.

Running Costs

Electricity is the primary running cost and even that is largely negligible. If your pigging system runs off compressed air, then the compressor will use a minimal amount of electricity.

Nitrogen can also be used to propel the pig, with the nitrogen generator also costing a minimal amount of electricity.

Propellants will also cost some money, with the exact value depending on how many pigging runs your company performs.

If you use water to push the pig through the line, then you should consider the cost of water that you will use.

And if you use the next batch of product, well, you’ll hardly be spending a penny!

Cost Savings

The important thing is that the running costs to keep your pigging system operating effectively are relatively low, and the significant cost savings our systems create for your business ensure a high return on investment even after taking them into account. Here’s more information on pigging system payback and ROI.

Find Out More

HPS are the world’s leading experts in hygienic and sanitary pipeline product recovery. We have over 28 years of experience providing pigging solutions and maintenance, with our oldest system still in operation.

For more information on how we can help you begin pigging, contact us today.

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