Product Recovery Systems are applicable for products as
- Shampoo, lotions, creams, toothpaste
- Pharmaceutical liquid products
- Washing agents, cleaning agents
- Yoghurt, quark, cheese
- Fruit pulp, syrup, concentrates
- Dough, vegetable oil
- Personal care products
Range of Application in Production Plants
- From product reception to pre-mix tanks
- From pre-mix tanks to mixing/process tanks
- From mixing/process tanks to storage tanks
- From storage tanks to filler lines
- From treatment lines to storage tanks/filler lines
- Dairy and Food Industry
- Beverage Industry
- Personal and Health Industry
The following components meet the 3A Standard
- Pig Cleaning Station MST 3A
- Pig Catching Station
- Pig Stopper 3A
- Piggable Tee 3A
- Pigs in Silicone and FKM
Application ranges
Product push-out
Product recovery systems are used for the ejection of viscous / flowing products from pipelines without mixing with any other media. This is especially required for high quality products in the food and beverages industries, as well as, pharmaceutical and personal and health care industries.
Product control
In addition to pushing out of products from the pipelines, product recovery systems are also used for gentle filling of pipelines with sensitive and foaming products. Even vertical pipelines can be easily filled by letting the product push the pig downwards in the pipe.
Types of product recovery systems
The pigging process can be implemented with different degrees of automation. That is why the portfolio of GEA Tuchenhagen offers three different product recovery systems:
1. Automatic product recovery systems
Due to the complete automation of the process, the pig can push out and be cleaned without manual action. The entire process takes place solely in the pipeline.
- Safe operation by closed pipe systems
- No pig removal required in operation
- Automatic function mode and thus fully verifiable processes
2. Semi-automatic product recovery systems In contrast to the automatic product recovery systems, with the semi-automatic product recovery systems the pig is inserted and removed manually. Pushing out of product and returning of the pig then takes place automatically.
3. Manual product recovery systems In the manual product recovery system, the pig is manually inserted into the pipeline and at the end removed manually. The pig runs in only one direction.
Design of a product recovery system
A VARICOVER® product recovery system usually comprises of a pig cleaning station, a pig catching station with propellant medium valves, and a pig. The pig is placed in the pig cleaning station during production and cleaning. In the pig catching station, the pig is stopped mechanically after successful product push-out and the propellant medium valves are used for propellant medium supply (air/water). The pig components can be installed either in new systems or integrated into already present process systems.
Technical Data
Technical DataPlease refer to the catalog for more information.| Item | |
| Sizes | DN25 -DN100
1“OD – 4“OD |
| Material | |
| Product contact parts (standard) | Internals 1.4404
Inside Ra ≤ 0.8 μm Outside matt finish |
| Non-product contact parts: | 1.4301
Surface matt finish |
| Seals: | Standard EPDM (FDA)
Operating temp. 135° C Sterilizing temp. 150° C (short time) optional: FKM (FDA), HNBR (FDA)) |
| Pigs: | Silcone / FKM
(FDA, EU Regulation 1935/2004 food compliance) |
| Operating pressure | |
| max. 16 bar for DN25-DN65
max. 10 bar for DN80/100 | |
| Control air | |
| Pig Cleaning Station: | min. 4.8 bar; max. 8 bar |
| Pig Stopper: | min. 4.2 bar; max. 8 bar |
Downloads
Related Products

ECOVENT® Divert valves
ECOVENT® single-seat divert valves are used for simple divert functions in hygienic applications. The valves are characterized by their ease of operation.

ECOVENT® Shut-off valves
ECOVENT® single-seat valves are used for simple shut-off in hygienic applications. The valves are characterized by their ease of operation and flexibility.

VARINLINE® Pocket-free Instruments
In the current process technology, fixed piping systems lead to permanently closed systems within the single plants which do not allow the operator to have a direct view into the production process. By equipping the pipelines with VARINLINE® housings, control and measurement instruments can be installed within the piping systems to monitor the pr...
Related Videos
Recover the value - Reduce the waste: GEA VARICOVER Product Recovery System
VARICOVER® Product recovery system ATEX
GEA Insights

Innovating for impact: shaping better solutions for customers
Industrial production is being asked to use fewer resources, become smarter and keep equipment productive for longer. At GEA, that is changing how innovation happens: engineering, customer insight, digital expertise and service come together earlier – when a solution can still be shaped at its core.





