Gas purging processes in pipeline safety maintenance were studied using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods. A new model (model 1) closer to actual working conditions and another two-side injection model were investigated. The simulation results showed that the relative purging efficiency of model 1 decreases compared to the ideal model (model 0), and two-sided injection model increases the efficiency relative to the single sided purging model. In addition, the models with different intake methods, outlet positions, outlet sizes and outlet pressures were simulated. If the outlet is opened after delaying some time, purging efficiency is improved. Furthermore if "relay purging" method is adopted, the efficiency is increased by 18% with two gas inlets and by 11% with a single inlet. The outlet position affects the average velocity in the last purging time. If the outlet diameter is equal or larger than that of the inlet, the purging efficiency is much higher. (C) 2014 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights