Maintenance of oil pipelines
Thread Content
The oil pipelines within the plant are approximately 2,000 meters in length; if pipeline cleaning is not used, from which aspects should maintenance of these pipelines be carried out?
In my opinion: First, strengthen surface anti-corrosion management and pay attention to proper protection； Secondly, if the medium has specific requirements, take measures such as proper insulation as much as possible.
Reply 1# nmgmzq: Inspection, evaluation, and repair are the three key aspects of pipeline integrity management. If issues such as corrosion or cracks are detected, reinforcement is necessary; non-destructive techniques can be used for this purpose. Feel free to communicate – QQ: 59440474
I don’t know what type of oil is being transported in your pipeline (refined oil or crude oil). For crude oils with high freezing points and high wax content, in pipelines that are not in use for extended periods, it is advisable to clean them or displace the contents using a medium with a low freezing point along with nitrogen ； It would also be fine to have regular online operation (that is, opening the valve to fill with oil at fixed times each day so that the downstream side can receive the oil) ； For pipelines on the ground, proper insulation and heating should be provided in winter to prevent freezing ； If the valves on both sides of the underground pipelines are closed, it is necessary to prevent high temperatures and excessive pressure from causing damage to the valves and other components (given that your pipelines are long, this issue is likely not a problem) ； If this pipeline is located outside the station, it is recommended to maintain a certain pressure inside the sealed pipeline in order to prevent oil theft through drilling in the pipeline (once there is a drop in pressure, it is necessary to monitor the pipeline; however, a drop in pressure does not necessarily indicate oil theft, as changes in pressure can also be related to temperature) ； Also, as mentioned above, it is necessary to take measures to prevent corrosion of the pipelines (cathodic protection). Actually, the most important thing is to take proper measures to prevent freezing and condensation. If it is refined oil or oil with a low freezing point, it’s not that complicated.