Research on dynamics and vibration response in Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) based on the CEL method

The dynamic vibration response of the Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) in the pipeline is studied in this paper. Based on the Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) method, the fluid-solid coupling finite element model of the PIG is established. And the Mooney-Rivlin model is used to describe the super-elastic nonlinear behavior of the rubber cups. The complex dynamic behavior of the PIG in the pipeline is solved and analyzed, and the vibration curves such as velocity, pressure, contact stress and friction are obtained. The results show that the CEL method is suitable for the analysis of the fluid-solid coupling vibration response of the PIG in the pipeline and the main cause of the vibration response of the PIG is the dynamic force between the PIG cup and the inner walls of the pipeline. It is also found that the inner diameter of the pipe, thickness of the cup and the initial boundary conditions have a significant effect on the vibration response of the PIG, increasing the thickness of the cup, reducing the inner diameter of the pipe and appropriate increasing the boundary speed will play a role in vibration reduction of the operation of the PIG. The influence of the inertia impact of the PIG and the effect of the friction are considered in this paper, which makes the fluid-solid coupling model as real as possible and provides the theoretical basis and reference for optimizing the PIG design and it uses.