What is Ice Pigging?

Ice pigging uses dense ice slurry to clean the inside of pipelines, moving like a soft plug to remove sediment, biofilm, grease, scale, and residue while passing through bends, valves, and changing pipe sizes where flushing or rigid pigging may be limited.

Ice Pigging Uses Pumpable Ice To Clean The Inside Of A Pipeline

Instead of a solid foam or polyurethane pig — which can get stuck, damage fittings, or skip past bends — ice pigging uses a thick slurry of crushed ice mixed with a freezing-point depressant. The slurry behaves like a liquid when it needs to (going around bends, through valves, past instrumentation) and behaves like a solid when it counts (scouring the pipe wall).

Unlike a rigid foam or mechanical pig, the ice slurry can change shape as it moves. If movement stops, the ice can melt back into liquid, which helps reduce the risk of leaving a solid pig trapped in the line.

How Ice Slurry Cleans Like A Pig And Moves Like A Liquid

The cleaning performance comes from a few specific properties of an ice/brine mixture that no other cleaning method has all at once.

Two-Phase Slurry

Ice crystals are suspended in liquid so the slurry can move through complex pipe layouts.

Pipe-Wall Contact

The moving slurry creates cleaning force against buildup along the pipe wall.

Melt-Back Safety

If movement stops, the ice can melt instead of remaining as a rigid blockage.

Controlled Discharge

Removed material exits with the slurry and can be managed at the outlet.

From Site Review To Verified Pipeline Cleaning

A typical ice pigging operation runs end-to-end in 1–4 hours, with the pipe back in service the same day.

01

Review The Pipeline

Pipe size, length, material, access points, pressure, and buildup type are reviewed.

02

Prepare The Slurry

The ice slurry is prepared based on the pipe conditions and cleaning goal.

03

Inject Through Access Point

The slurry is introduced through a suitable hydrant, valve, fitting, or access point.

04

Push, Scour, And Discharge

The ice moves through the pipe, loosens buildup, and carries it to the exit point.

05

Flush And Verify

The line is flushed, discharge is reviewed, and results are documented as needed.

A Flexible Cleaning Method For Complex Pipeline Systems

Lower Stuck-Pig Risk

Ice can melt if movement stops, unlike a rigid mechanical pig.Period.

Less Excavation

Suitable projects can use existing valves, hydrants, fittings, or access points.

Lower Water Use

Direct wall contact can reduce the need for repeated high-volume flushing.

No Harsh Chemicals

Cleaning relies on physical ice slurry action instead of aggressive chemicals.

Hours, not days

Many projects can be planned around limited work windows.

Cleaner Flow Path

The slurry helps remove sediment, biofilm, grease, scale, and residue.

Where Ice Pigging Fits In The Pipeline Cleaning Toolkit

Used Across Water, Wastewater, And Industrial Pipeline Systems

Remove sediment, biofilm, and discoloration-causing deposits from suitable mains.
Help clear grease, grit, soft deposits, and flow restrictions.
Support changeovers, residue removal, and product recovery.
Clean product-contact lines with less chemical dependency.
Remove scale, sediment, and corrosion-related buildup from thermal systems.

Ice Pigging Targets The Buildup That Restricts Flow And Quality

Loose material that settles inside the pipe.
Organic buildup that forms along internal surfaces.
Fats, oils, grease, and soft restrictions in suitable lines.
Mineral buildup, product residue, and process deposits.
Iron, manganese, and related material that can affect water quality.
Loosened material carried out with the ice slurry discharge.

From University Research To Pipeline Cleaning Technology

Early Development

The concept was developed through University of Bristol research.

Food Industry Use

Early applications focused on product recovery and process pipe cleaning.

Water System Adoption

The method was later adapted for drinking water and utility maintenance.

Today

Ice pigging is used in municipal, utility, wastewater, and industrial systems.

Ice Pigging FAQs

What Is Ice Pigging In Simple Terms?

Ice pigging is a way to clean a pipe by pumping dense ice slurry through it. The slurry scrubs the inside wall and carries loosened material out through a discharge point.

How Does Ice Pigging Clean A Pipe?

The ice slurry moves as a soft plug. As it travels, it creates contact with the pipe wall and helps remove sediment, biofilm, grease, scale, and residue.

Is Ice Pigging Safe For Drinking Water Mains?

Ice pigging can be suitable for drinking water mains when properly planned, flushed, and verified according to applicable water system requirements.

Can The Ice Get Stuck Inside The Pipe?

The risk is lower than with rigid pigs because ice can melt if movement stops. The system still needs proper planning before cleaning begins.

What Pipe Sizes Can Be Cleaned With Ice Pigging?

Ice pigging can be evaluated for a wide range of pipe sizes, from smaller process lines to larger mains. Suitability depends on pipe size, access, pressure, length, and buildup type.

What Pipe Materials Can Ice Pigging Work With?

It can be evaluated for many common pipe materials, including ductile iron, cast iron, steel, PVC, HDPE, and stainless steel, depending on system condition.

Have a more specific question about your asset? Send us a pipe schedule and we’ll give you a feasibility answer within 24 hours.

Find Out If Ice Pigging Fits Your Pipeline

Share your pipe size, length, material, access points, project location, and buildup type. We’ll review the system and help determine whether ice pigging is a practical cleaning option.