Resource Transportation Using Pipelines
http://www.articlesdirectory.org/articles/138819/1/Resource-Transportation-Using-Pipelines/Page1.html
Dominic Donaldson
Dominic Donaldson is a retailer of all gadgets and provides advice on all hardware. By Dominic Donaldson
Published on 26 April 2009
The transportation of resources is essential for maintaining a certain standard of living, no matter where in the world. Some of the most precious commodities are water, oil and gas. To get resources to the areas where they are needed, the most convenient method is via pipelines. The construction is relatively cheap, and once in place last for many years.
The transportation of resources is essential for maintaining a certain standard of living, no matter where in the world. Some of the most precious commodities are water, oil and gas. Although each of these resources is essentially in abundant supply, their natural distribution is uneven. To get resources to the areas where they are needed, the most convenient method is via pipelines. The construction is relatively cheap, and once in place last for many years.
Pipelines do not have to be exclusive to one product; it is common for a couple of different fluids to be transported along the same course. These multi product pipelines rarely have much physical space between the two products, and therefore some mixing can occur, but this is usually siphoned off at specialist facilities to ensure that no contamination occurs in either product.
Depending on the type of product being distributed, the pipeline will either be constructed from steel, plastic or carbon steel and it will also have variable dimensions. The transportation of crude oil for example requires a much larger pipeline than water. This is not only because of the sheer volume of oil that needs to pass through to satisfy demand, but also because of inherent build up of residue in the pipelines.
Crude oil contains impurities including wax, which can build up inside pipelines. To prevent blockage, specialist equipment known as a Pipeline Inspection Gauge, also known as a PIG, is used to clear the pipes. The quirky acronym actually came before the proper term, after the noise made by the original pipeline cleaners made of straw bales wrapped in a protective netting of wire; and as they moved through the pipes, they emitted a squealing sound, much like that of a pig.
Pipeline Inspection Gauges serve many functions. They create a physical separation between products in multi product pipelines, preventing or lessening contamination; they remove build up impurities; they can monitor the condition of a line and a PIG can also record important geometric information, such as size, length and even GPS positioning.
Knowing the exact path of a pipeline is of particular importance, as some lines run for many thousands of miles, crossing numerous countries. The political sensitivity of running a pipeline requires that precious commodities are protected from vandalism, theft and sabotage. Lines carrying gas or oil can be subject to tampering in times of political unrest, bringing about negative consequences that can be felt around the world.
Pipelines do not have to be exclusive to one product; it is common for a couple of different fluids to be transported along the same course. These multi product pipelines rarely have much physical space between the two products, and therefore some mixing can occur, but this is usually siphoned off at specialist facilities to ensure that no contamination occurs in either product.
Depending on the type of product being distributed, the pipeline will either be constructed from steel, plastic or carbon steel and it will also have variable dimensions. The transportation of crude oil for example requires a much larger pipeline than water. This is not only because of the sheer volume of oil that needs to pass through to satisfy demand, but also because of inherent build up of residue in the pipelines.
Crude oil contains impurities including wax, which can build up inside pipelines. To prevent blockage, specialist equipment known as a Pipeline Inspection Gauge, also known as a PIG, is used to clear the pipes. The quirky acronym actually came before the proper term, after the noise made by the original pipeline cleaners made of straw bales wrapped in a protective netting of wire; and as they moved through the pipes, they emitted a squealing sound, much like that of a pig.
Pipeline Inspection Gauges serve many functions. They create a physical separation between products in multi product pipelines, preventing or lessening contamination; they remove build up impurities; they can monitor the condition of a line and a PIG can also record important geometric information, such as size, length and even GPS positioning.
Knowing the exact path of a pipeline is of particular importance, as some lines run for many thousands of miles, crossing numerous countries. The political sensitivity of running a pipeline requires that precious commodities are protected from vandalism, theft and sabotage. Lines carrying gas or oil can be subject to tampering in times of political unrest, bringing about negative consequences that can be felt around the world.