One-step estimation method and nomogram to predict safety distances of pressurized gas pipelines from blast sources

Pressurized gas pipelines may be endangered by accidental or intentional activities causing excess ground vibrations leading to failure. Thus, many papers have been published on this issue, yet most of these efforts suffer from complexity and inability to ascertain that all engaged factors are taken into account. These factors are attributed, namely, to explosion source, explosion-ground interaction, energy transfer through the ground, ground-pipeline interaction, and response of the pipeline. The deterministic method developed previously by the author has derived useful prediction mathematical formulas that can be used to calculate, either the stand-off distance of purposefully used explosives, or the maximum quantity of explosives to be used at a given distance, or the equivalent stress of a pipeline induced by an explosive charge at a given standoff distance. The method can also be applied to accidental blast events in factories or other activities. Yet, the complex formulas developed are hard to be used in the field and a simpler approach is needed to facilitate and accelerate in-field estimations. Thus, a nomogram was prepared to make the safety estimations easy and fast and taking into account all engaged critical factors starting from the explosion source through the integrity of the structure.     

Estimation of failure probability of oil and gas transmission pipelines by fuzzy fault tree analysis

Failure of oil and gas transmission pipelines was analyzed by fault tree analysis in this paper. According to failure modes of pipeline: leakage and rupture, a fault tree of the pipeline was constructed. Fifty-five minimal cut sets of the fault tree had been achieved by qualitative analysis, while the failure probability of top event and the important analyses of basic events were evaluated by quantitative analysis. In conventional fault tree analysis, probabilities of the basic events were treated as precise values, which could not reflect real situation of system because of ambiguity and imprecision of some basic events. In order to overcome this disadvantage, a new method was proposed which combined expert elicitation with fuzzy set theories to evaluate probability of the events. As an example, failure probability of pipeline installation was assessed by using the proposed method, achieving its fuzzy failure probability of 6.4603×10⁻³. The method given in this article is effective to treat fuzzy events of FTA.     

Estimating sonic gas flow rates in pipelines

This paper presents a detailed review and analysis of sonic gas flow in pipelines, adding considerably more detail to the analysis, particularly for long pipelines. Our results show that (1) the mass flow rate is asymptotic as the velocity head pipe loss increases (2) the asymptotic value is identical for both adiabatic and isothermal conditions and (3) a maximum is found in the gas flow, although this maximum is near the asymptotic value. A graphical method for isothermal flows and a simple, shortcut formula is presented using asymptotic analysis which accurately estimates gas flow rates in long pipelines under both adiabatic and isothermal conditions. Process safety applications are provided.     

管道燃气爆炸特性实验研究

管道是化工及油气储运系统的重要组成部分,却时常受燃烧爆炸事故的威胁,因此对管道中燃气燃烧爆炸特性与规律的研究就十分必要。以甲烷作为研究对象,采用压力传感器以及火焰传感器等对水平封闭管道内甲烷-空气预混燃烧爆炸进行了实验研究,通过大量实验来研究可燃气体爆炸压力与火焰及其传播变化规律。根据实验结果将超压以及气体燃烧的变化情况,对前驱冲击波与火焰面的相对时间及相对位置关系进行了分析。结果显示,管道中会产生前驱压力波,并超前火焰阵面甲烷气体在管道传播过程中,出现冲击波反压射、波叠加及反冲现象,压力的持续时间较火焰光信号持续时间长。所做的工作为油气受限空间中燃气燃烧爆炸特性与规律的进一步研究及工业防爆抑爆技术及工艺的实施、系统设计以及关键参数计算提供了理论依据。     

Electrostatic ignition hazards arising from fuel flow in plastic pipelines

The use of electrically insulating synthetic materials, such as plastics, for fuel pipelines and other fuel handling components is now becoming widespread. In the case of buried or underground pipelines in filling station forecourts the use of these materials offers superior corrosion resistance and increased longevity. This in turn reduces the risk of pollution due to fuel leakage. It is well reported that the flow of fuel under certain conditions in metal pipes can produce significant levels of electrostatic charge on the fuel. Little work, however, has been undertaken on plastic pipe where charge can accumulate at the fuel/pipe wall interface.This paper reports on tests performed on a full-scale, high-density, polyethylene pipework system. During the tests, an iso-octane/toluene fuel mix of controlled and known electrical conductivity was transferred through the system at varying flow rates. Both buried and free-standing pipeline configurations were simulated. A number of test runs were performed yielding considerable data relating to the resultant electrostatic activity including electrostatic potential, the nature and location of electrostatic discharges and the discharge energy. The influence of components such as in-line valves and couplings, which have a metallic component, are also evaluated. The extensive data resulting from this study are presented graphically. The paper concludes with an analytical section and draws important conclusions with regard to the parameters influencing the degree of ignition hazard present.     

Evaluation of gas release rate through holes in pipelines

A mathematical model of an accidental gas release in a long transmission pipeline is presented in terms of computational fluid mechanics. It was found that the hole model is suitable for the release of gas through a small hole, while the pipe model is suitable for the gas release through a hole corresponding to the complete breaking of the pipe. In this paper, a new model was proposed for a hole that lies between both these situations. The results of the example show that when the initial inside pressure is higher than 1.5 MPA, the mass of gas released during the sonic flow is more than 90% of the total mass of gas released. The average release rate of the total release process could be substituted by the average release rate of the sonic flow, or by 30% of the initial release rate. This approximation would become more accurate with the increase in the initial inside pressure.     

变截面管道中气云的燃爆传播研究

工业尾气回收网结构复杂,存在许多变径结构,回收气体大多燃易爆,因此有发生燃爆事故的风险.为探究变径结构对可燃气云燃爆过程的影响,在管长为0.5m变截面管道内,采用预混燃烧模型和Zimont湍流燃烧模型,对可燃预混气体燃爆特性开展了大涡模拟(LES)研究.结果 表明:在0.5m管长的通径管道内,管道截面越小,管壁对火焰的约束作用越大,壁面反射增强,管道壁面形成的湍流加速壁面附近的火焰传播速度,使得Tulip火焰出现越早,达到最大火焰传播速度的位置距点火端越近;管道截面越小,火焰厚度越大.不同管道结构下Tulip火焰结构不同,在突缩和连续突缩管道中Tulip火焰产生变形,火焰锋面不再光滑;变截面结构对火焰传播有激励作用,管道内截面变化后涡团的产生和演化加速了火焰传播,突缩管道结构对火焰传播有明显的加速作用,因此尾气回收管网设计需尽量减少突缩管道结构或在突缩管道结构位置增加阻火装置.     

Individual risk analysis of high-pressure natural gas pipelines

Transmission pipelines carrying natural gas are not typically within secure industrial sites, but are routed across land out of the ownership of the pipeline company. If the natural gas is accidentally released and ignited, the hazard distance associated with these pipelines to people and property is known to range from under 20 m for a smaller pipeline at lower pressure to up to over 300 m for a larger pipeline at higher pressure. Therefore, pipeline operators and regulators must address the associated public safety issues.This paper focuses on a method to explicitly calculate the individual risk of a transmission pipeline carrying natural gas. The method is based on reasonable accident scenarios for route planning related to the pipeline's proximity to the surrounding buildings. The minimum proximity distances between the pipeline and buildings are based on the rupture of the pipeline, with the distances chosen to correspond to a radiation level of approximately 32 kW/m². In the design criteria for steel pipelines for high-pressure gas transmission (IGE/TD/1), the minimum building proximity distances for rural areas are located between individual risk values of 10⁻⁵ and 10⁻⁶. Therefore, the risk from a natural gas transmission pipeline is low compared with risk at the building separated minimum distance from chemical industries.     

天然气管道完整性管理探析

通过对国内外天然气管道事故的统计和分析,指出了对天然气管道进行完整性管理的重要性;在此基础上,简要介绍了管道完整性管理方法,着重探讨了天然气管道完整性管理的流程和环节,包括管道潜在危害辨识、管道数据信息搜集与分析、管道风险评价、管道完整性评价、完整性评价响应和减缓措施,并进一步说明了天然气管道完整性管理的实施方法;最后,给出了在我国开展天然气管道完整性管理的必要性和建议.     

Seismic vulnerability of gas and liquid buried pipelines

Lifelines play a crucial and essential role in human life and in economic development. The resilience of those systems under extreme events as earthquakes is a primary requirement, especially when large amount of toxic and flammable material are transported.In this work, the seismic vulnerability of buried gas and liquid pipelines has been analyzed, starting from a large number of damage data to pipelines collected from post-earthquake reconnaissance reports.Seismic fragility formulations and threshold values for the earthquake intensity with respect to the release of content from different types of pipelines have been derived. The main outcome of the work is therefore a novel seismic assessment tool which is able to cover the needs of industrial risk assessment procedures and land use planning requirements.     

Aspects of risk analysis associated with major failures of fuel pipelines

This paper presents a methodology of risk assessment for hazards associated with transportation of dangerous substances in long pipelines. The proposed methodology comprises a sequence of analyses and calculations used to determine basic reasons of pipeline failures and their probable consequences, taking individual and societal risk into account. A specific feature of this methodology is a combination of qualitative (historical data analysis, conformance test and scoring system of hazard assessment) and quantitative techniques of pipeline safety assessment. This enables a detailed analysis of risk associated with selected hazard sources by means of quantitative techniques. On the ground of this methodology typical problems that usually pose serious threat and constitute part of risk analysis for long fuel pipelines are also presented. To verify above methodology, complete risk analysis was performed for the long distance fuel pipeline in Poland.     

Application of game theory in risk management of urban natural gas pipelines

This paper presents a game theory methodology for risk management of urban natural gas pipelines, which is a collaborative participation mechanism of the stakeholders, including government, pipeline companies, and the public. Firstly, the involvement proportion of stakeholders in risk management under rational conditions is estimated by the static game theory. Subsequently, the system dynamics (SD) simulation is used to establish an evolution game model of stakeholders in risk management under the irrational conditions, in which the stability of the evolution game process is analyzed. The stakeholders’ involvement proportions from the static game model are utilized as the inputs for the evolution game model to simulate the dynamic evolution behavior of risk management strategies with different involvement proportions of stakeholders. Eventually, the dynamic evaluation game can extract an optimal strategy for risk management of urban natural gas pipelines. A case study is used to illustrate the methodology. In essence, this methodology can be extended for implementing risk management of urban infrastructure.     

国外石油天然气行业非金属管道检测技术*

为了解国外石油天然气非金属管道缺陷检测技术发展现状,在调研相关文献报告、企业信息、设备手册基础上,介绍国外先进非金属管道检测技术及其原理、优缺点、具体设备、应用范围和未来发展趋势。研究结果表明:先进的超声相控阵和低能辐射电磁波技术对非金属管道检测难点（如:分层和接头处等特殊位置检测）具有较好的检测能力;非金属管道检测技术正在向自动化、集成化和在线监测方向发展;塑料和纤维增强复合材料大量应用于给排水、船舶、航空航天、汽车和风电叶片行业,非金属管道检测可以借鉴该类领域相关技术。研究结果可为保障石油天然气非金属管道安全运行、拓展行业应用范围、降低管道全生命周期成本提供参考。     

Mapping safety culture attributes with integrity management program to achieve assessment goals: A framework for oil and gas pipelines industry

Introduction: The safety of oil and gas pipelines is an increasing concern for the public, government regulators, and the industry. A safety management system cannot be efficient without having an effective integrity management program (IMP) and a strong safety culture. IMP is a formal document (policies, planning, scheduling, and technical processes) while safety culture is a measure of views, beliefs, and traditions about safety. For regulatory authorities and O&G companies, assessing the effectiveness of both the IMP and safety culture through regulatory audits is a daunting task with indistinct findings. Method: An integrated framework based on regulatory audits is developed to assess the maturity of safety culture based on IMP efficacy through risk-based approach by using failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA). The framework focuses on three distinct aspects, the probability of failure occurrence in case of the non-compliance of regulatory and program requirements, severity of non-compliance, and effectiveness of the corrective actions. Results: Program requirements and performance indicators are translated into assessment questions which are grouped into 18 IMP components. Subsequently, these components are linked with four safety culture attributes. Sensitivity analysis revealed that four IMP components, i.e., organizational roles and responsibilities, policy and commitment, risk assessment, and training and competency, significantly affect the safety culture maturity level. Conclusions: Individual assessment of IMP and safety culture in O&G sector consumes extensive time and efforts in the auditing process. The framework facilitates the process by pursuing common criteria between IMP and safety culture. The O&G companies and regulator can prioritize the improvement plans and guidelines using the framework's findings. Practicalapplications:The integrated framework developed in this research will improve the existing assessment mechanism in O&G companies. The framework has been effectively implemented on a case of 17 upstream O&G pipeline-operating companies in the province of British Columbia, Canada.     

Limit of safety against flame transmission for sintered metal flame arrester elements in the case of flashback in fuel gas/oxygen mixtures

In autogenous welding, cutting and allied processes, so-called dry safety devices are used to protect the outlet terminals of gas distribution lines. To prevent flame transmission, these units are fitted with sintered metal flame arrester elements. At the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), extensive investigations have been carried out with an experimental flame arrester to determine the limits of safety against flame transmission for sintered metal flame arrester elements in the case of flashback in fuel gas/oxygen mixtures. On the basis of the results of these investigations, it is possible to estimate the pore sizes up to which a sintered metal element can prevent any flame transmission with a given fuel gas.     

建筑退让道路红线与城市消防安全布防探讨

后退道路红线,除具有城市景观布置、人流物流疏导等一般城市属性作用外,担负着抢险救灾、战争等众多涉及消防安全布防的重要功能.后退道路红线规划管理的严重滞后,对城市消防安全形成了严重挑战,是城市消防管理的重大遗漏.本文对后退道路红线与城市消防安全布防的内在关系进行了梳理,厘清了建筑控制线失控的原因,给出了解决这一问题的清晰路线图,以期能在今后城市建设及城市消防安全管理和布防的理论、规划和实践中加以匡正.     

压力脉冲波法天然气管道堵塞检测研究

为快速检测出天然气管道堵塞位置、长度及堵塞程度,解决天然气输运管道中堵塞定位难题,探讨压力脉冲波法管道堵塞检测的可行性与效果.搭建长220 m的压力脉冲波堵塞检测实验系统,进行多组连续性长堵塞检测实验和水堵检测实验.结果表明:连续性长堵塞检测实验中堵塞前沿反射信号为负压波,堵塞后沿信号为正压波,且波形清晰可辩,其多组实...     

地面堆载对埋地管道的安全影响分析

为了分析地面堆载对埋地管道安全性的影响,以非线性接触模型为基础,应用ANSYS有限元软件,建立了地面堆载作用下的三维管土相互 作用模型。通过求解模型,探讨了地面堆载的大小、作用位置以及作用尺寸对埋地管道位移、应力和椭圆度的影响。结果表明:管道的应力和 椭圆度随着堆载大小的增大呈线性增大;垂直作用于管道正上方的堆载对管道的强度和稳定性影响较大;当作用应力不变时,与长度相比,堆 载宽度的变化对管道的影响更显著,而当总作用力不变时,增大堆载长度和宽度均可有效降低其对管道安全性的影响。预期研究结果可以为解 决油气管道建设中的安全防护问题提供一定的技术支持。     

双线地铁隧道下穿管道安全性对比研究

地铁与燃气管道等高危管道均为线性工程,地铁隧道下穿管道的情况不可避免,一旦因地铁施工导致管道泄漏,后果难以承受,管道沉降值是考量其安全性的关键指标。为对双线盾构地铁隧道下穿管线安全性进行预测,采用修正的Peck公式理论方法进行计算,并与数值模拟结果相对比,研究结果表明:双线盾构地铁隧道下穿管道安全风险可控,修正Peck公式及数值模拟法均能较真实地描绘地表以下任意土层的沉降槽曲线,进而可以比较准确地计算土体竖向沉降,可作为一种用于计算隧道开挖所引起管道竖向位移的方法。     

Development of HGAPSO-SVR corrosion prediction approach for offshore oil and gas pipelines

Managing the oil and gas pipelines against corrosion is one of the major challenges of the oil and gas sector because of the complexities associated with the initiation, stabilization, and growth of the corrosion defects. The present research attempts to develop a model for predicting the maximum depth of pitting corrosion in oil and gas pipelines using SVM algorithm. In order to improve the SVM performance, Hybrid PSO and GA was utilized. Monte Carlo simulation was used to determine the time lapse for the pit depth growth. In order to implement the above modeling approaches and to prove their efficiency and accuracy against a large database, a total of 340 data samples for corrosion depth and rate are retrieved from the Iranian Oilfields. The performance of the new algorithm shows that it has higher stability and accuracy. In addition, the forecasting results of the new algorithm are compared with the 11 intelligent optimization algorithms, it shows that the novel hybrid algorithm has higher accuracy, better generalization ability, and stronger robustness. The coefficient of determination (R²) value in the testing phase for SVM-HGAPSO was estimated by 0.99. Proposed hybrid model and Monte-Carlo simulations pitting corrosion based on Poisson square wave process have been used to predict the time evolution of the mean value of the pit depth distribution for different categories of maximum pitting rates (low, moderate, high and sever). The models was validated with 4 field data for each of the pitting corrosion categories and the results agreed well. The pipelines under severe pitting corrosion rate were, more conservatively predicted by HGAPSO-SVR than those under low, moderate and high pitting corrosion rates. The results obtained demonstrate the potentials of this technique for the integrity management of corroded aged pipelines.