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Flow-line Services

With over 40 years' experience serving the pipeline pigging and flow improvement needs of clients; Flow-Line Services, a division of Astro Pak, continues to stand as a recognized leader. Municipal water systems, oil and gas pipelines, food and beverage processors, mining operations and waste water and sewage treatment systems are only a few examples of our diverse customer base. Our wide assortment of pigging equipment staged at facilities on the East and West coasts allows us to respond promptly and reliably to the needs of our customers. Flow-Line Services is fully prepared to respond to all of your pipeline pigging needs including, sales/rentals of launchers and receivers; sales/rentals of tracking equipment; sales of pigs such as poly, urethane, mandrel, brush, and gauging plus many more styles and applications. Flow-Line Services also provides turnkey pigging service as well as expert consultation and evaluation.

Pipeline Pigging
"Pigs" were originally developed and utilized to remove the debris or material build-up which obstructed or restricted flow through a pipeline. Pipeline "pigging" is loosely defined as the propelling of a projectile (the pig) through a pipeline to push the contents out. Pigging is utilized to flush out debris and build-up, scrape and clean the interior pipe walls, and "batch" various products through a piping system. It is performed during new construction and pipeline repair or modification. Pigging is also essential in areas of de-commissioning, abandonment and subsequent removal of pipelines. Typically the industry uses four basic types of pigs: polyurethane foam pigs, mandrel or mechanical pigs, solid cast urethane pigs, and high tech "smart pigs". The most common of them is the versatile "poly pig" which is thrust through the pipeline by hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to clean the interior walls, remove debris and flush liquids from the pipeline. Whatever the reason for flow interruption or restriction, pigging is the preferred method for improving the flow and restoring the pipeline to its required capacities. Pigging is cost efficient, very effective and environmentally friendly. More importantly, it is a viable and economical alternative to pipeline replacement.

Product Recovery
In every production process or transfer system, there is the possibility of product loss or contamination. There are variations in the direction and elevation of piping systems that trap costly product in portions of these pipes. Furthermore, cross-contamination can occur when a different product is introduced in a subsequent run. Therefore, a good product recovery system is valuable to the bottom line. Flow-Line Services understands plants with typical piping systems are faced with loss of product, waste surcharges, diluted product and cross-contamination. Subsequently, Flow-Line Services also provides fabrication, consultation and sales of "Product Recovery Systems " and the special pigs utilized in these systems. The use of these pigs following a transfer of product, ensures maximum retrieval of usable raw or blended materials that otherwise would remain in the pipeline, and be lost or contaminated. Maximum product recovery reduces the volume of water, solvents or other material used in line cleaning and/or sanitation. Related disposal costs and cleaning time between batches are also minimized.

Specialized Training and Personnel
Flow-Line's personnel offer extensive experience and skills. They are skilled and trained in the areas of pipefitting, pump operation, boiler operation, equipment care and maintenance, flow through cleaning, high-pressure pump operation, environmental and hazardous waste issues, and good customer service. In addition to their existing skills and experience, Flow-Line's employees' continually receive supplemental training and instruction assuring they stay on the cutting edge in providing superior service. A credentialed team of Chemists, Engineers and other professionals are on staff to assist in every phase of the pigging process. Safety training and safe operating procedures are utilized by Flow-Line personnel in strict adherence to the procedures and requirements of our customers and the mandates of Flow-Line management. Our safety training is established, directed, monitored, and documented by our Safety Director.

Equipment Used
Launchers
Receivers
Assorted adaptors, spools and fittings
Flow meters
Chart recorders
Tracking equipment

Applicable Standards

Flow Line Procedures
Loading and Unloading Pigs in Conventional Pig Stations
General Progressive Pigging
Progressive Pigging of Water Mains
Purging Pipelines Using Nitrogen, Compressed Air or Any Other Compressed Gas to Propel Pigs

Quality Systems
Flow-Line Service's quality goal is 100% customer acceptance of all work performed by Flow-Line personnel. In order to achieve this goal, Flow-Line personnel will strive to understand and exceed all customer quality requirements. We will create total customer satisfaction by exceeding our customers' needs and expectations
The management of Flow-Line Services/Astro Pak Corporation considers the above objectives to be the duty and responsibility of all of its employees. Managers are expected to promote quality consciousness and awareness, and to provide the tools, skills and training to enable every employee to produce a safe and reliable product. Every employee, regardless of job assignment or title, will be held fully responsible for the quality of his or her work provided to any customer.

The management of Flow-Line/Astro Pak Corporation is committed to a process of total quality management, which results in continuous quality improvement.

Astro Pak Corporation maintains a uniform quality system that meets the requirements of ISO-9002 and MIL-I-45208 (latest revision). The quality assurance department has the responsibility and full authority delegated by the President of Flow-Line/Astro Pak Corporation, to enforce all requirements of the quality system and to revise those requirements to ensure continuous improvement and control of product and process quality.

Project References

Project: El Toro Water District Lake Forest, CA

Project Summary: Cleaned and removed grease and soft solids from one mile of 12" force sewer main to prepare it for video inspection.

Project: City of Woodland Woodland, WA

Project Summary: Pigging 12" ACP potable water transmission main to remove iron film contamination and improve water quality.

Project: California Steel Industries, Inc. Fontana, CA

Project Summary: Removal of 6" of heavy silt and debris from 3,000' of 24" and 30" quench water return lines.

Project: Lake Arrowhead Community Services Lake Arrowhead, CA

Project Summary: Removal of grease and soft solids from one mile of 14" force main and one mile of 16" x 14" siphon.

Project: City of Tempe Tempe, AZ

Contractor: Calyber Contracting, Inc.
Project Summary: Cleaning of 9,240 feet of 6" and 8" potable water lines that were unable to pass bacteriological testing for over 2 years.