The method of using the flow within a pipeline to clean the inner wall of the pipeline including placing the cleaning pig into the pipeline to be cleaned at a first location, using a restraining rope or cable to cause the cleaning pig to move along the pipeline at a speed slower than the speed of the flow within the pipeline and thereby causing a pressure differential between the upstream side and the downstream side of the cleaning pig, providing one or more jetting nozzles and using the pressure differential to jet a portion of the flow within the pipeline through the one or more jetting nozzles onto the inner wall of the pipeline while providing a flow area through the cleaning pig to bypass the portion of the flow which does not pass through the one or more jetting nozzles.

A method of treating an apparatus to remove surface deposits therefrom is performed by selecting a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less that exhibit properties of Brownian motion that facilitate penetration of solid deposits on surfaces of an apparatus that is subject to surface deposits from contact with fluids. The surfaces of the apparatus are contacted with a treatment composition comprising the colloidal particle dispersion. The composition is allowed to act upon the materials adhering to the surfaces of the apparatus to loosen and breakup the materials adhering to the surfaces of the apparatus. The loosened and broken materials are removed from the surfaces of the apparatus.

An improved apparatus and methodologies of use for cleaning debris and contaminants from an interior surface or sidewall of a fluid-carrying conduit, such as a pipeline, are provided. More particularly, an apparatus and methodologies of use are provided, wherein the apparatus or ‘pipeline pig’ operates bi-directionally and comprises counter-rotating cleaning elements that are operative to enhance removal of debris and contaminants from the pipeline.

A method of cleaning a pipeline is performed by introducing a treatment composition comprising a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less into an interior of a pipeline to be cleaned. A pig or body is passed through the pipeline to spread the composition upon surfaces of the interior of the pipeline. The composition and materials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline are removed to facilitate cleaning of the pipeline.

A method for cleaning a coke deposit from an internal surface of a process equipment, comprising removing at least a portion of the coke deposit from the internal surface using a flexible pig comprising a plurality of bristles, without damaging a metal protective layer of the internal surface of the process equipment. A flexible pig for cleaning a coke deposit from an internal surface of a process equipment without damaging a metal protective layer of the internal surface, comprising a flexible body formed of a polymeric material, and a plurality of bristles partially encapsulated by the polymeric material of the flexible body.

A method for cleaning a coke deposit from an internal surface of a process equipment, comprising removing at least a portion of the coke deposit from the internal surface using a flexible pig comprising a plurality of bristles, without damaging a metal protective layer of the internal surface of the process equipment. A flexible pig for cleaning a coke deposit from an internal surface of a process equipment without damaging a metal protective layer of the internal surface, comprising a flexible body formed of a polymeric material, and a plurality of bristles partially encapsulated by the polymeric material of the flexible body.

A method of cleaning a pipeline is performed by introducing a treatment composition comprising a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less into an interior of a pipeline to be cleaned. A pig or body is passed through the pipeline to spread the composition upon surfaces of the interior of the pipeline. The composition and materials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline are removed to facilitate cleaning of the pipeline

A method of cleaning a pipeline is performed by introducing a treatment composition comprising a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less into an interior of a pipeline to be cleaned. A pig or body is passed through the pipeline to spread the composition upon surfaces of the interior of the pipeline. The composition and materials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline are removed to facilitate cleaning of the pipeline

A method of cleaning a pipeline is performed by introducing a treatment composition comprising a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less into an interior of a pipeline to be cleaned. A pig or body is passed through the pipeline to spread the composition upon surfaces of the interior of the pipeline. The composition and materials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline are removed to facilitate cleaning of the pipeline.

Embodiments of a multi-diameter foam pig include a first set of radially spaced-apart, longitudinally extending, slots located toward a nose end of the pig and a second set of radially spaced-apart, longitudinally extending, slots located toward a tail end. Each set of slots ends at a band section of the pig so that, together, the two sets of slots do not traverse the entire length of the pig. A standard-length unit version of the foam pig includes only the first set of slots. A set of shorter, intermediate slots, offset in a circumferential direction from the first and second set of slots and partially overlapping those slots, may be included on the band section. Because of the slots, and because of open cell foam, the foam pig decreases or increases in diameter as it enters a different diameter run than the run just traveled.