We are investigating feasibility of a buried 6oil pipeline. Given a maintenance temperature of 130-160deg F, i am concerned that the fluid will "set up" when not in use (matter of days). Is this an issue - if so, what is the preferred method to avoid this set up -- line flush after use (potential high costs in flush fluid for a multi-mile pipeline), pig thru the line after each (again, need some motive power for pig, seems cost-prohibitive), steam or electric trace. Or is this a non-issue since it'll be buried 4-5ft in fairly warm climate.
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6Oil Pipeline flushing
- Thread starter pepei
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Find out why it is being kept between 130 and 160F now. Is it because it sets-up at lower temperatures? Is your 5 ft below ground temperature in winter higher than that? If not, you will have to make other arrangements. How much pump power will you have available for restarting? Is it sufficient to get the #6 moving at its lowest temperature?
The conventional way to shut down the line when setup is a problem is to recirculate diesel, or some another diluent you have easy access to (maybe naptha), until the #6 is displaced from your pipeline into a ship's fuel tanks, or some other (perhaps steam heated) storage tank.
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"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world’s energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies)
The conventional way to shut down the line when setup is a problem is to recirculate diesel, or some another diluent you have easy access to (maybe naptha), until the #6 is displaced from your pipeline into a ship's fuel tanks, or some other (perhaps steam heated) storage tank.
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"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world’s energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies)
This is a concern for one of my 6 oil clients in Houston. They plan to pig their lines after each move. Motive force for pigging can be a relatively simple air compressor setup. Somehow you need to empty the line anyway. Flush (possibly heated) works also, you only need enough to cut the 6 oil so it flows - recirculate it for a while. You could bury a smaller line with the 6 oil bundle and use it for steam if and when you freeze a line. Steam tracing might be a maintenance nightmare.
Doesn't cutting it present product specification and loss of revenue issues? Most facilities try to keep different products of all kinds very separated, unless they are making a blend themselves.
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"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world’s energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies)
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"Pumping accounts for 20% of the world’s energy used by electric motors and 25-50% of the total electrical energy usage in certain industrial facilities."-DOE statistic (Note: Make that 99% for pipeline companies)
Pepei, perhaps if you provided a few more details someone might be able to give you detailed comment.
How long is the pipeline?
What diameter is the pipeline?
Is there steam available at either end of the pipeline?
How often is the pipeline used?
What is the desired flow rate of the pipeline?
Will the pipeline be used for other products?
How long is the pipeline?
What diameter is the pipeline?
Is there steam available at either end of the pipeline?
How often is the pipeline used?
What is the desired flow rate of the pipeline?
Will the pipeline be used for other products?
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