How does Pipeline Transport Work?

It is well known that pipelines are an excellent way to transport fuel and other materials. However, people may not know how they work. Pipelines are specially designed to withstand pressure and ensure that the gas or liquid does not overflow or leak through cracks in the pipe during transportation. This transportation must be done carefully to avoid accidents.

What is pipeline transportation?

Pipeline transportation, in simple terms, is a mode of transportation that uses pipelines as a means of transportation to transport liquid and gas materials over long distances. It is a special part of trunk transportation in the unified transportation network, and plays an indispensable role in the transportation of energy and some specific materials. It is known as the five major modes of transportation together with the familiar road, rail, air and water transportation.

In daily life, pipeline transportation can be seen everywhere. For example, the natural gas used in homes is transported from the gas source through pipelines; and the city’s tap water supply also relies on a huge pipeline system. In the industrial field, pipeline transportation plays a key role in the transportation of oil from oil fields to refineries, and the transfer of various chemical products within factories or between different factories, silently ensuring the smooth progress of industrial production.

Components of a pipeline transportation system

The pipeline transportation system is mainly composed of two parts: pipelines and oil transfer stations. Pipelines are the "arteries" of the entire transportation system. Pipeline diameters vary according to the type and volume of goods being transported. For example, crude oil pipelines usually have diameters of 273-1020 mm. Larger diameters can meet the needs of large-scale, long-distance transportation of crude oil.

Oil transfer stations are like "energy supply stations" and "control centers" on this "artery". They are distributed along the pipeline trunk line and can be divided into the first station, intermediate station and terminal station according to their location and function. 

The first station is located at the starting point of the long-distance pipeline and is mainly responsible for collecting oil from oil fields, refineries and other places. After measurement, it is pressurized and transported to the next station to ensure the starting power of transportation.

The function of the intermediate station is to add energy to the oil flow. When the oil is transported in the pipeline, the pressure and temperature will gradually drop. The intermediate station pressurizes the oil flow through the pressure pump station and heats the oil flow through the heating station, so that the oil can be continuously transported forward. 

The terminal is located at the end of the pipeline and is the receiving place for oil products. It is often connected to the oil depot or transfer depot of the receiving unit. It is responsible for receiving the oil from the pipeline and carrying out subsequent transfer work.

Commonly used steel pipes in pipeline transportation

1. Seamless steel pipe: no welds, strong pressure resistance, suitable for high-pressure oil and gas transportation. The material is mostly carbon steel or stainless steel, can adapt to -40℃~450℃ temperature, common specifications are Φ57mm~Φ630mm, widely used in long-distance trunk pipelines.

2. Straight seam submerged arc welded steel pipe: The weld is continuous, the cost is lower than seamless pipe, and it is suitable for medium and low pressure transmission. The diameter can reach Φ1422mm, and it is mostly used in urban natural gas pipeline network and water transmission projects.

3. Spiral submerged arc welded steel pipe: Made of spirally welded steel strips, it has good rigidity and large diameter (maximum Φ3000mm), and is suitable for low-pressure and long-distance water pipelines and coal slurry pipelines.

4. Alloy steel pipe: It contains elements such as chromium and molybdenum, is resistant to high temperatures (up to 600°C and above), and is corrosion-resistant. It is used for transporting high-temperature steam and chemical media, such as power station boiler pipes.

5. Stainless steel pipe: 304, 316L and other materials, resistant to acid and alkali corrosion, suitable for conveying chemical raw materials and food-grade fluids, mostly used in short-distance pipelines in the chemical and pharmaceutical fields.

Advantages and limitations of pipeline transportation

1. It performs well in terms of transportation volume. A pipeline with a diameter of 720 mm can transport more than 20 million tons of high-viscosity crude oil every year, while a crude oil pipeline with a diameter of 1,200 mm can transport up to 100 million tons per year, which can meet the transportation needs of large-scale materials.

2. From the perspective of cost, it consumes less energy. Developed countries use pipelines to transport oil, and the energy consumption per ton-kilometer is less than 1/7 of that of railways. When transporting in large quantities, the transportation cost is close to that of water transportation, and the economy is outstanding. In addition, the construction investment is relatively small and the land occupation is small. The investment and construction period of pipeline construction are less than 1/2 of that of railways. In addition, the pipeline is buried underground, and only the pump station and the terminal station occupy some land.

3. In terms of safety, since the transportation process is basically carried out in a closed pipeline, it is less affected by external factors and can reduce volatilization losses and environmental pollution. For flammable and explosive items such as oil and natural gas, pipeline transportation greatly reduces transportation risks. In addition, pipeline transportation is less affected by climate, can operate stably for a long time, and is easy to realize automated management, which further improves transportation efficiency.

4. Of course, pipeline transportation also has certain limitations. Its construction cost is high, and a large amount of money needs to be invested in the early stage for pipeline laying and equipment purchase. For example, building a long-distance oil pipeline often requires huge amounts of money and a long time. Poor flexibility is also a major problem. Once the pipeline route is determined, it is difficult to change it easily according to demand, and it is also difficult to achieve "door-to-door" transportation services. It usually needs to cooperate with other modes of transportation to complete the entire transportation. Moreover, the applicable goods are limited, mainly used to transport specific materials such as liquids and gases, and there are certain restrictions on the transportation objects.

What are some of the challenges of pipeline transport?

Pipelines less than a decade old are most prone to problems, a study shows. The biggest challenge facing pipeline transportation is the potential for leaks and spills. When a pipeline leaks, it can cause environmental damage and be expensive to clean up. Earthquakes or other natural disasters can sometimes damage pipelines.

What are the future trends in pipeline transport?

Future trends in pipeline transportation include developing new pipe materials and new leak detection technologies. There is also a trend to use renewable energy to power the pumps that transport fluids or gases.

As you can see, pipeline transportation is a very efficient and safe way to transport fluids or gases over long distances. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed to make it safer. Future trends in pipeline transportation are designed to address these challenges. To learn more about pipeline transportation, contact us today!

Read more: Application of Galvanized Seamless Steel Pipe In Pipeline Transportation

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