Maximum bcf in Natural Gas Pipeline 1

[bonzoboy]

Can anybody give me an idea of the largest practical flow achievable through a natural gas pipeline? I'm trying to find out what the experience list is of pipelines moving natural gas. For example, is 42 inch diameter, moving 2 bcf per day at 1,000 psig a good benchmark for a single pipeline? For even greater flow requirements, do they just put two pipelines down in parallel? What's the practical upper limit on diameter?

Bonzoboy

 

[civilperson]

30"-36" diameter has proven to be the best size for supply, maintenance, valving, compressor intervals for the Northern Natural Gas system. Dual and triple lines are made to add capacity when sales and distribution warrant.

 

[BigInch]

I used to work for NNG back in the early 80s. That strategy works well for them because of their relatively long distances between customer's, customer density/square mile, and widely but generally evenly distributed gas consumption rates, except for a few larger cities along the way. It may not be the optimum strategy for other systems.

BigInch-born in the trenches.

http://virtualpipeline.spaces.msn.com

 

[bonzoboy]

Thanks everyone. I've received quite an education.

 

[lpw]

I stumbled into this thread while looking for something else. Anyway, two points:

1.) Trinidad built a 56" 80 mile gas pipeline about three years ago with no real problems. I don't know the design volume.
2.) Based on several recent projects, the "standard" size interstate pipeline now seems to be 42".