What Are Studded Cleaning Pig Cups?

Studded cleaning pig cups are urethane cups manufactured with metal studs embedded directly into the cup surface. As the cleaning pig travels through the pipeline, these studs provide additional scraping action that can help remove deposits that standard urethane cups may not fully dislodge.

The studs work in conjunction with the sealing and wiping action of the urethane cup, creating a more aggressive cleaning profile while still maintaining the flexibility required to navigate bends, restrictions, and pipeline variations.

Why Are Metal Studs Added to Cleaning Pig Cups?

The primary purpose of adding studs is to increase the cleaning effectiveness of the pig when operators are dealing with difficult deposits or contamination.

Potential benefits may include:

Improved debris removal
Enhanced paraffin and wax cleaning
Better mill scale removal
Increased scraping effectiveness
Improved preparation for inline inspection
More aggressive cleaning between standard pigging runs

Studded cups are often selected when cleaning goals extend beyond simple liquid displacement or routine maintenance pigging.

Common Applications for Studded Cleaning Pig Cups

Studded cleaning pig cups are commonly considered when operators encounter:

Heavy Wax or Paraffin Deposits

Paraffin buildup can reduce flow efficiency and interfere with inspection activities. The additional scraping action provided by studs may help break up and remove stubborn deposits.

Mill Scale Removal

New construction pipelines and recently modified systems may contain mill scale and manufacturing debris. Studded cups can help increase cleaning aggressiveness during commissioning or pre-inspection cleaning programs.

Pipeline Preparation for Inline Inspection

One of the most important steps before an inline inspection run is ensuring the pipeline is sufficiently clean.

Debris remaining in the pipeline can:

Obstruct sensor contact
Reduce data quality
Increase tool wear
Create unnecessary inspection challenges

Studded cups are often incorporated into cleaning programs designed to improve inspection readiness.

Difficult Cleaning Conditions

Some pipelines experience operating conditions that create recurring deposits or contamination. In these situations, operators may choose studded cups as part of a multi-pass cleaning strategy.

Are Studded Cups Right for Every Pipeline?

No.

While studded cups can provide additional cleaning capability, they are not appropriate for every application.

Factors that should be evaluated include:

Pipeline condition
Internal coating considerations
Deposit type
Cleaning objectives
Product being transported
Inline inspection requirements
Existing pigging program

Selecting an overly aggressive pig can create unnecessary wear or operational concerns, while selecting a pig that is too conservative may not achieve the desired cleaning results.

This is why many operators work with experienced pigging specialists to determine the appropriate pig configuration for their specific pipeline conditions.

Do studded cups replace brushes?
Not necessarily. Many cleaning pigs utilize both brushes and studded cups depending on the cleaning objectives and pipeline conditions
Can studded cups be installed on custom cleaning pigs?
Yes. Studded cups can often be incorporated into custom pig designs along with brushes, magnets, gauging plates, transmitter cavities, pull ropes, and other application-specific components.
Are studded cups commonly used before inline inspection?
They are frequently considered when operators need a more aggressive cleaning approach as part of an inspection preparation program.
Can studded cups be used in all pipeline sizes?
Studded cup designs can be incorporated into a wide range of cleaning pig sizes depending on the application and cleaning requirements.

Need Help Selecting the Right Cleaning Pig?

Choosing among standard cups, studded cups, brushes, magnets, blades, and other cleaning components depends on the specific challenges in your pipeline.

The Enduro Pipeline Services cleaning pig team can help evaluate your application and recommend a cleaning pig configuration that meets your project objectives.

Questions about studded cleaning pig cups? 800-752-1628
J.R. Morgan, Director of Pipeline Cleaning & Maintenance — jrm@enduropls.com

Want to see how custom cleaning pigs are designed and manufactured? Contact our team to schedule a facility tour and learn why operators across North America rely on Enduro Pipeline Services for pipeline cleaning solutions.

Matt Hodson, Senior Product & Technical Specialist- matth@enduropls.com

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