Since the gas pipeline network provides the daily functions and livelihood of the countries by transporting the resources used for energy purposes, it is very important to shed light on this transportation system. This article briefly discusses oil and gas pipline, what they are, why they exist, their potential health and environmental impact.
Purpose of Gas Pipeline
The gas pipe line network is a transport system used to transport goods and materials. Pipelines carry various products, such as sewage and water. However, other products transported are gases, biofuels and oils. Pipelines are available all over the countries and vary according to the goods transported, the size of the pipes and the material used in the construction of pipes. Pipeline systems are complex infrastructures that connect energy resources to end users, typically located away from distribution points.Delivery points are usually measurement stations located at production facilities where natural gas is transferred from the producer to the consignor, or measurement stations at the borders of the importing country.
Some pipelines are built above ground, while most pipelines are buried underground. Since pipeline gas are very well hidden from the public, many people are unaware of the existence of an extensive network of pipelines.
Today, the total length of fuel pipeline in more than 120 countries is 2.76 MM km. Only in 2019, pipeline projects with a total length of 7, 830 km, or about a fifth of the earth’s circumference, were completed. These figures say a lot about the importance of pipeline systems in the natural gas industry. As YENA Engineering, we offer the best service to our customers with our fast and high quality products in this sector.
Types of Gas Pipeline
Gas pipelines serve to transport gas from fixed facilities such as gas wells or import/export facilities and deliver it to various locations such as homes or directly to other export facilities. This process also includes three different types of pipelines: collection systems, transmission systems and distribution systems. Similar to oil collection systems, the gas collection pipeline system also collects raw materials from production wells. It is then transported by extensive transmission pipelines that transport natural gas from facilities to ports, refineries and cities around the country. Finally, distribution systems consist of a network that distributes the product to homes and businesses. Two types of distribution systems are the main distribution line, which are larger lines that transport products to places close to cities.
Materials Used in Gas Pipelines
Most of the gas pipelines are now made of high-carbon steel. Steel gas pipelines are produced in large factories, and the state conducts constant inspection. They are usually 40 to 80 feet long, they are specially designed. Distribution pipelines are also made of steel, but now more and more plastics or composites are used in this industry. Old distribution pipelines were usually made of cast iron. If you need structural steel parts, you can contact YENA Engineering for products that comply with international standards.
Coating of Gas Pipelines
There may be several different types of coatings that can be used to protect the outside of the steel from corrosion. The most common coatings are epoxy or polyethylene heat shrinkable sleeves bonded by fusion. Most coatings are now made at the factory, but the field coating application is still ongoing. In these cases, it is necessary to know the places where the pipes are welded together.
Safety Requirements of Gas Pipelines
Steel pipelines are immune to corrosion, and without corrosion protection, each steel pipeline will eventually become unusable. Corrosion weakens the pipeline and renders it unusable. Fortunately, in most cases, technology has been developed to ensure that corrosion is controlled. There are three methods used to prevent corrosion in pipelines:
- Cathodic protection (CP) is a system that uses direct electric current to resist corrosion, it is used for normal external corrosion conditions that occur in a metal pipeline due to soil and moisture. CP is used where all or parts of a pipeline are buried underground. In new pipelines, CP can help prevent the onset of corrosion; for existing pipelines, CP can help stop the deterioration of existing corrosion.
- They are the main means for protecting pipeline coatings and linings from corrosion, are applied to prevent bare steel from coming into direct contact with corrosive conditions.
- Corrosion inhibitors are substances that can be added to steels, they are used with the help of a pipeline to prevent corrosion attack on the steel. It is used when CP is not able to protect against internal corrosion. Such inhibitors are especially often used in “wet” gas pipelines.
