Oil transportation in pipelines with the existence of ice

Abstract

When the ambient temperature is below freezing point, ice may form in the oil transportation pipelines, which can cause flow assurance issues, such as restricting flow path or even plugging the pipeline. Ice plugging was reported to delay the restart of the Poplar pipeline system gathering crude oil from Montana and North Dakota. [1] Ice may also pose threats to the Trans-Alyeska Pipeline System (TAPS). The declining throughput makes the oil get colder much faster. If oil temperature falls below the freezing point, ice forms and leads to flow assurance issues, such as coating critical valves, accumulating in the pipeline, and restricting flow. [2] This paper investigates the fundamentals of ice formation in the pipeline and its effect on the transportation system. A 2-inch diameter carbon steel flow loop was instrumented to measure pressure, temperature, and differential pressure. The experimental results show that ice formation can restrict flow at the low sport in front of the flow meter, the inserted thermocouples, and the perforated plate. Annular ice deposition was found at the pipe wall. The morphology of the deposition is rime ice, indicating the deposition is due to small ice crystals sticking to the pipe surface. It was found that the formation of annular deposition requires a negative temperature gradient. The effect of water cuts and fluid properties on plugging tendency is discussed. The mechanisms for ice deposition along the pipe and plugging at the pipe components are proposed.

Patch antenna sensor for wireless ice and frost detection

“…Ice accretion is also extremely hazardous to the public on roadway infrastructure 6 , 7 . Moreover, ice accumulation in oil pipelines, if unnoticed, can result in the destruction of the pipeline and environmental contamination 8 . These ice-related hazards exemplify the need for an efficient and accurate system for detecting ice accretion, thickness, and rate of growth.…”

Research on Passing Ability and Climbing Performance of Pipeline Plugging Robots in Curved Pipelines

“…With the widespread application of fluid energy [1], such as oil and natural gas [2], pipeline transportation has become an increasingly important energy transportation method [3]. In addition, pipelines also play an important role in urban water transport [4].…”

Research on the Performance of a New External Occlusion Device for Pressure Vessel Leakage

“…With the development of the process industry, pipeline transportation has been rapidly developed turned into an economically dangerous medium on a global scale [1] and [2]. Leakage accidents caused by self-defects [3], environmental factors [4] and human factors [5] have occurred, causing huge casualties, environmental pollution, and waste of resources. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a fast, effective, and safe plugging equipment for the treatment and disposal of accident pipelines and storage tanks, the control of dangerous sources, and the reduction of the harm caused by leakage [6] and [7].…”