It is a general case that nearly all natural and liquified gas are transported through pipelines once in the whole cycle. Furthermore, these pipelines are useful in the transportation of these products and are also applicable in their storage. Pipeline product storage is the liquid or natural gas storage facility with storage tanks to which shipments may be diverted. Since gas fields produce continuously and gas pipelines are always in constant use, liquified natural and petroleum gases are stored at the pipeline product storage during times of reduced need.
Ideally, there are many more ways of liquid or gas storage, but considering which one to choose will depend on a lot. The pipeline is not only renowned for transportation alone. More often than not, they are perfect options for liquid or storage. The fact that these products take time to reach the required destinations means giving the owners time to reduce long-term storage costs. Regardless of the case, the pipeline offers the owners an opportunity to control flow rates and pumping pressures to maintain constant movement within the pipeline.
Environment and Safety Considerations
Pipelines should meet particular safety and environmental standards set by regulatory agencies. Essentially, the regulations are vast, and each of them works to solve safety and ecological concerns. In the modern world, there have been increased campaigns on strict measures to preserve the environment. Some gases and liquids like petroleum products are hazardous. As such, no doubt, every company dealing with liquid or gas storage adheres to these concerns to ensure compliance. This article addresses some of the vital issues vital to maintaining the environment, users’ security, and workers handling pipelines.
Corrosion Prevention
Corrosion is terrible for both the product and the environment. So it makes perfect sense when the pipeline system is free from that. Generally, pipelines come with a coating and wrapping to prevent corrosion. Alongside that, others also feature cathodic electrical protection to ensure reduced possibilities of corrosion further. At the time of pipeline construction, the manufacturing companies usually include coated and insulated sections by joining special clamps to metallic anodes. The users will have to subject the pipeline to a grounded surface such that it acts as a cathode and does not corrode.
Hydrostatic Testing
Another essential measure to ensure the safety and preservation of the environment is hydrostatic testing. Nearly all the pipeline sections are hydrostatically tested before storing or transporting the liquid or gas. This usually relies largely on regulatory agencies’ requirements and can be done at regular intervals along the pipeline. Before hydrostatic testing, the experts must remove air while building the pressure. The top need is strict observations of the whole pipeline life either through air surveillance or at the control center to detect leaks or drop-in flow rate or pressure.
Signaling and Warning Systems
Furthermore, pipeline systems usually have a warning and signaling system to alert operators to take action in a corrective emergency. Some pipelines have automatic shutdown systems that activate emergency pressure valves when there is reduced or increased pressure. These warning and signaling systems are usually placed at strategic intervals along the pipelines like stations and both sides of the crossings.
Warning The Workers
Also, crucial to note in the considerations is having the means to warn contractors and other people who may be excavating along the pipeline route. This is crucial as it will reduce the pipeline being ruptured, breached, or punctured, resulting in a vapor or gas explosion. Everyone knows how such incidences can be costly to human life, and it only makes sense when the necessary measures are taken before they occur. ‘
Reducing Chances of Explosions
Since gas and other liquids like petroleum are highly flammable, it is also required to reduce any of these. There are always higher chances of these happening, and it calls for the experts to facilitate the safe pressure level before working on high-pressure pipelines. Furthermore, the professionals should conduct combustible gas testing before repair and maintenance. Not only those, but the pipeline should also be clear from flammable liquids and gases before working.
Safety During Hot Tapping
The qualified workers should also consider the strictest proper safety procedures when hot tapping the pipelines. It is dangerous to conduct hot tapping without cleaning the outside of the pipe, mostly where there was a spill. The pipe should be cleaned of any contaminated soil, liquid, and any other thing that could cause ignition. This is one of the essential steps to consider, and when not adhered to, it could cause loss of lives.