Utility PIGs – What Is Piping: All about Piping Engineering

The objective of the commissioning To bring the constructed/installed system to deliver the desired function.The Pipeline commissioning means introducing crude/ product/Gas in the pipeline from originating station, filling the entire length and then start delivering to receipt system. What do we need prior to commissioning? The pipeline and associated facilities are completed in all respectAll Fire and Safety equipment/facilities are tested and commissionedAvailability of dedicated communicationStatutory Clearances obtainedAvailability of Product (HSD)/ Crude oil – Not less line-fillRequired Manpower is placed at all locationsAvailability of water and its disposal planAvailability of a dedicated commissioning team Critical issues in commissioning a Petroleum Pipeline The movement of hydrocarbon in an empty pipeline can generate static current.Hydrocarbon Vapor mixed with oxygen may lead to an explosion.There may be the formation of an Air / Vapor pocket that may get compressed leading to a rise in pressure.Air/vapor pocket may explode in the receiving tank leading to damage to the tank roof seal.Leakage of any hydrocarbon may lead to fire or damage to the environment . Properties of Hydrocarbons Flash Point:-The flash point of a volatile liquid is the lowest temperature at which it can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture in air. Vapor Pressure:-The vapor pressure of a liquid is the pressure exerted by its vapor when the liquid and vapor are in dynamic equilibrium. At a given temperature, a substance with higher vapor pressure vaporizes more readily than a substance with lower vapor pressure. Properties of Petroleum Products and Preferred Liquid for Commissioning: Fig. 1: Properties of Petroleum Products What is a PIG? A device that moves through the inside of a pipeline for the purpose of cleaning, dimensioning, sealing and inspect. The objective of Pigging Pigging for New Pipeline- Remove debrisVerify ovality, dent, etcWater filling & dewatering after hydro‐testingSealing of product or water during commissioning Pigging for In-Service Pipeline- Maintain line efficiencyCorrosion controlCheck dents, buckles and any other internal abnormalityTo minimize interface generation between two dissimilar productsTo avoid cross‐contaminationTo evacuate the pipeline Conventional / Utility Pigs – Different types Various components are fitted on a mandrel.It can be uni‐directional or bi‐directional Fig. 2: PIG and PIG Launching Barrel Intelligent Pig (Fig. 2) To record bends, dents, ovality, bend radius & angle. PIG Launching / Receiving Barrel: Refer Fig. 2 Commissioning of a Gas Pipeline A gas pipeline is treated as Tank. However, before taking gas in the Pipeline, it is to be made moisture and oxygen-free. Commissioning Steps Drying – Purging of super dry air: Compressed Super dry air is purged using air compressors with accessories viz. Moisture Separator, Oil Separator, and Dryer. The air shall be supplied in the pipeline at (-) 20 deg. C dew point. Super dry air with dew point (-) 20 deg. C will have sufficient capacity to absorb water vapor to the extent of 30 % of the desired capacity. Vacuum Drying: The process utilizes a high capacity vacuum to reduce pressure within the Pipeline to a level from 760 Torr to 40 Torr. At this pressure (40 Torr), any water within the pipeline will start boiling and vaporizing. Air left inside the Pipeline is subjected to a vacuum of 40 Torr, the water vapor will expand approx. 18.8 times, which will be displaced using high capacity vacuum booster pumps (rated capacity 5000 CuM/Hr)When the vacuum of 7.6-10 Torr is achieved, it is confirmed that the whole pipeline system has been dried to the required level. Nitrogen Purging: At vacuum level 7.6 Torr and dew point (-) 20 deg.C, the oxygen content inside the Pipeline is 0.20%. To further dilute the oxygen content, nitrogen purging is done almost 13 times more than pipeline volume. This will reduce the oxygen content to 0.015%, which is considered negligible. Now the Pipeline system is ready to receive Gas. Few more Pipeline related useful Resources for You..Underground Piping Stress Analysis Procedure using Caesar IIComparison between Piping and Pipeline EngineeringA Presentation on Pipelines – Material Selection in Oil & Gas IndustryCorrosion Protection for Offshore PipelinesStart up and Commissioning of the Pipeline: An ArticleDESIGN OF CATHODIC PROTECTION FOR DUPLEX STAINLESS STEEL (DSS) PIPELINEAN ARTICLE ON MICRO TUNNELING FOR PIPELINE INSTALLATIONA short presentation on: OFFSHORE PIPELINE SYSTEMS: Part 1Factors Affecting Line Sizing of Piping or Pipeline SystemsFew Job Opportunities for You