Ice Pigging™ Services
Pipelines play a vital role in delivering clean water, transporting wastewater, and supporting industrial operations. Over time, however, biofilms, sediment, fats, and other contaminants accumulate inside pressurized mains. These deposits reduce water quality, increase pumping costs, and compromise overall system performance.
For many years, pipeline cleaning relied on conventional pigging or water flushing. While both methods can help, they are often inefficient, require excessive downtime, or carry the risk of damaging infrastructure. Ice Pigging™ is a modern alternative that delivers superior results—faster, safer, and more sustainably.
At American Pipeline Solutions (APS), we provide professional Ice Pigging™ services nationwide, helping municipalities, utilities, and industries maintain reliable, high-performing pipelines.
Watch our video about Ice Pigging™ to learn more about this pipeline cleaning solution!
Why Clean Pipelines?
Cleaning is essential to keep pipelines operating efficiently and safely. Neglecting deposits not only reduces flow but also accelerates asset deterioration, forcing premature replacement. Pipeline cleaning offers several benefits:
Improved hydraulic performance – By lowering back pressure and restoring flow rates, cleaning enhances efficiency and reduces energy costs.
Asset protection – Regular cleaning extends the service life of pipelines, pumps, and associated equipment, postponing capital expenditures.
Quality assurance – Removing biofilms, discoloration, and unpleasant odors improves drinking water quality and helps utilities meet regulatory standards.
Operational flexibility – Clean pipes are ready for new uses, product changes, or commissioning.
Safe decommissioning – Residues can be cleared before lines are abandoned, ensuring compliance and safety.
Whether for pre-commissioning, routine maintenance, or troubleshooting performance issues, Ice Pigging™ offers a proven solution to pipeline fouling.
What is Ice Pigging™?
Ice Pigging™ is an innovative pipeline cleaning process that uses an ice-and-water slurry to form a semi-solid plug, or “ice pig,” inside the pipe.
The slurry is injected under pressure and moves as a plug through the system, scraping away contaminants from pipe walls. It dislodges biofilms, fats, grease, sediment, and other fouling, carrying them out of the pipeline. Once the job is complete, the ice melts naturally and is flushed away—leaving a clean pipe ready for service.
Because the ice pig behaves both like a solid and a liquid, it can adapt to bends, valves, and diameter changes. This flexibility makes it safer and more versatile than traditional mechanical pigs, which can jam or damage infrastructure.
How the Ice Pigging™ Process Works?
The cleaning process follows a straightforward sequence:
Preparation and isolation – The section of pipe to be cleaned is isolated and prepared.
Slurry injection – An engineered ice slurry is pumped into the pipeline under controlled pressure.
Scouring action – The slurry advances through the pipe as a plug, detaching deposits and contaminants from the walls.
Flushing and disposal – Debris is carried out with the melting ice, and the system is returned to service quickly.
This combination of speed, adaptability, and safety makes Ice Pigging™ one of the most effective pipe cleaning technologies available today.
Benefits of Ice Pigging™ Over Conventional Pigging
Ice Pigging™ provides the performance of mechanical pigging without the risks, while also surpassing traditional flushing in efficiency.
Fast Action
Pipelines can be cleaned in a single pass. Smaller pipes may take minutes, while several kilometers can be cleaned within just a few hours—minimizing downtime.
Water Efficiency
Ice Pigging™ typically requires only 1.5 pipe volumes of water, about half the amount wasted in conventional flushing. This makes it a far more sustainable and cost-effective option.
Low Risk
Because the ice pig flows like a liquid, it navigates bends, valves, and diameter changes without issue. On the rare chance it becomes lodged, it simply melts away, eliminating the risk of blockage.
Cost Savings
By restoring performance, delaying pipe replacement, and reducing water and energy use, Ice Pigging™ offers excellent long-term value.
Clean-in-Place Solution
Pipes can be cleaned using existing fittings, with little or no modification required. This no-dig approach avoids costly excavation and disruption.
Environmentally Friendly
No chemicals are needed, and water use is minimized, making Ice Pigging™ one of the most eco-friendly methods available.
Applications of Ice Pigging™
Ice Pigging™ is highly versatile and used across many sectors.
Drinking Water
An exceptionally low-risk method for removing biofilms, sediment, and discoloration from pressurized mains, restoring both performance and water quality.
Wastewater and Effluent
Efficiently clears fats, oils, grit, and debris from underperforming mains, reducing blockages and maintenance costs with minimal disruption.
Industrial Pipelines
The ice slurry adapts to pipe protrusions, sensors, and complex geometries, delivering a thorough clean in industrial environments.
Manufacturing Lines
Ice Pigging™ removes residues quickly and can even recover valuable product left in production pipelines, boosting efficiency and reducing waste.
District Heating and Cooling Networks
An effective way to remove sediment and buildup during commissioning or routine maintenance, ensuring consistent energy distribution.
Other Industries
From aerospace and defense to pharmaceuticals, coatings, and food production, Ice Pigging™ adapts to the unique demands of multiple sectors.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
Ice Pigging™ is not only effective but also environmentally responsible. Traditional flushing can waste millions of gallons of water each year, while Ice Pigging™ cuts this by more than half. The process avoids chemical use, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes the release of waste materials into the environment. For municipalities and companies seeking greener solutions, Ice Pigging™ supports sustainability goals while saving money.
Limitations and Considerations
While Ice Pigging™ is highly effective, it is not suitable in every scenario. It is less effective against heavily encrusted deposits or hardened scaling, which may require mechanical pigging. Very large-diameter mains can also present challenges. APS evaluates every project carefully and recommends the most appropriate method for your system—whether Ice Pigging™, conventional pigging, or a combination of approaches.
Where is Ice Pigging™ Used the Most?
Ice Pigging™ is highly versatile and can be used for a wide variety of applications. It is widely used by water supply and sewage companies and a variety of industries such as defense, aerospace, automotive, electronics, and district heating; and manufacturing organizations such as chemical and pharmaceutical, health and beauty, paint, and coatings.
Although the principles of Ice Pigging™ are universal, each application necessitates a unique blend of ice, additives, and quantities based on the type of lines, temperatures, and other variables. Because of this level of adaptability, the ice can be tailored to each operation or application.
More so, Ice Pigging™ is an environmentally-friendly cleaning method that uses significantly less water than other methods and, in many cases, can reduce the amount of energy required while also eliminating the need for chemicals. Waste products from the pipework can be captured and properly managed.
It can be used in the following specific areas:
Drinking-Water
Ice Pigging™ is a highly-effective and low-risk method of removing sediment, biofilm, and other objects from pressurized water pipes.
Wastewater & Effluent
Ice Pigging™ tackles under-performing pipes quickly and efficiently, removing fats, grits, and other deposits with minimal disruption and risk.
Cleaning of Industrial Pipes
The ice slurry navigates pipe diameter changes, bends, and pipe protrusions such as sensors and instrumentation to achieve a high-quality clean.
Manufacturing
Ice Pigging™ is a fast and effective line cleaner that propels ice slurry through production pipe systems to clean and recover valuable products.
Networks of District Heating
A highly-effective and significantly faster method for removing sediment and contaminants as part of routine maintenance work on the commissioning processor.
Other Business Sectors
Even if your specific industry sector isn't listed, chances are Ice Pigging™ will be beneficial to you.
Why Choose APS for Ice Pigging™?
American Pipeline Solutions delivers Ice Pigging™ with unmatched expertise and reliability.
Decades of experience cleaning and maintaining pipelines across multiple industries.
Exclusive global technology partnerships that bring the latest innovations to our clients.
Nationwide service coverage, headquartered in New Milford, PA.
Proud member of the Pigging Products & Services Association (PPSA).
Commitment to safety, efficiency, affordability, and environmental responsibility.
When you partner with APS, you get more than a service provider—you gain a trusted ally in pipeline integrity.
FAQs:
What is Ice Pigging™ in pipeline cleaning?
Ice Pigging™ is a pipeline cleaning process that uses a thick ice-and-water slurry to form a semi-solid “ice pig” inside the pipe. Under controlled pressure, the slurry moves as a plug, scraping biofilms, fats, grease, sediment, and other deposits from the pipe walls. The ice then melts and is flushed away, leaving the pipeline clean and ready for service.
How does Ice Pigging™ work step by step?
First, the pipeline section is isolated and prepared. APS then injects an engineered ice slurry into the line under controlled pressure. The slurry travels as a plug, scouring deposits from the walls and carrying them forward. At the discharge point, the ice melts and the loosened debris is flushed out, allowing the system to return to service quickly with minimal disruption.
What are the main advantages of Ice Pigging™ over conventional pigging?
Ice Pigging™ combines the cleaning power of mechanical pigs with much lower risk. The ice slurry conforms to bends, fittings, valves, and diameter changes without getting stuck or damaging infrastructure. If a blockage ever occurs, the ice simply melts. It typically uses about half the water of traditional flushing, reduces downtime, and avoids the need for pipeline modifications or excavation.
Is Ice Pigging™ safe for drinking water systems?
Yes. Ice Pigging™ is widely used on potable water mains because it is a low-risk, non-chemical cleaning method. The process removes sediment, biofilms, discoloration, and taste- or odor-causing deposits while using only water and food-safe additives in the ice slurry. APS designs each project to meet local drinking water standards and utility requirements.
How much water does Ice Pigging™ use compared to flushing?
Traditional unidirectional flushing can consume very high volumes of water. Ice Pigging™ typically requires around 1.5 pipe volumes, often cutting water use by more than half. That reduction translates into lower operating costs, less wasted water, and a smaller environmental footprint for municipalities and industrial operators.
What types of pipelines and industries can benefit from Ice Pigging™?
Ice Pigging™ is used on drinking water mains, wastewater and effluent lines, industrial and process piping, manufacturing lines, and district heating and cooling networks. It is also applied in sectors such as defense, aerospace, automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, coatings, food and beverage, and other specialized industries where clean, reliable pipelines are critical.
Are there situations where Ice Pigging™ is not the best option?
Ice Pigging™ is less effective against very hard, encrusted scale or severe mineral buildup. In those cases, mechanical pigging or a combined approach may be more appropriate. Very large-diameter mains can also be challenging. APS reviews pipe condition, diameter, deposits, and operating constraints before recommending Ice Pigging™, conventional pigging, or a tailored blend of methods.
How does Ice Pigging™ support sustainability goals?
Ice Pigging™ reduces water consumption, eliminates the need for cleaning chemicals, and lowers energy use by improving hydraulic performance. The process minimizes waste discharge compared to traditional flushing and supports longer asset life. For utilities and industries pursuing greener operations, it offers a practical way to improve performance while reducing environmental impact.
How quickly can a pipeline be cleaned using Ice Pigging™?
Cleaning times depend on pipe length, diameter, and access, but many sections can be cleaned in a single pass. Shorter mains may take only minutes, and several kilometers can often be completed within a few hours. Because existing fittings are used and excavation is rarely needed, downtime is significantly reduced compared to many conventional cleaning methods.
Why should I choose American Pipeline Solutions for Ice Pigging™ services?
APS combines decades of pipeline cleaning experience with exclusive global technology partnerships to deliver Ice Pigging™ safely and efficiently. We serve municipalities, utilities, and industries nationwide from our base in New Milford, PA. Our team focuses on safety, affordability, environmental responsibility, and clear documentation, so you get both cleaner pipelines and a trusted partner in pipeline integrity.
Call us today for your Ice Pigging™ solutions.
