Oil Pump Stations

[chrism91]

I am trying to find information on how exactly oil pumping stations work, their detailed mechanics. Google unfortunately has not been much help, showing me more what they are used for. If anyone has detailed knowledge of the process or if they could provide a document/ URL to a site that thoroughly explains the process that would be extremely helpful. Also are oil pumping station much different from a general pumping station used for example water or sewage or is there something that makes them unique?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

 

[bimr]

Look through the API website:

http://www.pipeline101.org/Introduction/transport.html

Petroleum pump stations are similiar to water pump stations. However, there are important differences because the pumped petroleum fluids have different properties, are much more valuable, are flammable, and hazardous.

Oil is generally propelled through pipelines by centrifugal pumps. The pumps are sited at the originating station of the line and at 20 to 100 mile intervals along the length of the pipeline, depending on pipeline design, topography and capacity requirements. Most pumps are driven by electric motors, although diesel engines or gas turbines may also be used.

Pipeline employees using computers remotely control the pumps and other aspects of pipeline operations. Pipeline control rooms utilize Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems that return real-time information about the rate of flow, the pressure, the speed and other characteristics. Both computers and trained operators evaluate the information continuously. Most pipelines are operated and monitored 365 days a year, 24 hours per day. In addition, instruments return real-time information about certain specifications of the product being shipped – the specific gravity, the flash point and the density, for example – information that are important to product quality maintenance. Oil moves through pipelines at speeds of 3 to 8 miles per hour. Pipeline transport speed is dependent upon the diameter of the pipe, the pressure under which the oil is being transported, and other factors such as the topography of the terrain and the viscosity of the oil being transported. At 3-8 mph it takes 14 to 22 days to move oil from Houston, Texas to New York City.

Pipeline operators ship different petroleum products or grades of the same product in sequence through a pipeline, with each product or “batch” distinct from the preceding or following. (A pipeline operating in fungible mode also uses batch sequencing, but on larger size batches.) One refined product or crude oil grade is injected and begins its journey, then another, and another. A batch is a quantity of one product or grade that will be transported before the injection of a second product or grade.

http://www.pipeline101.org/reports/Notes.pdf

 

[chrism91]

Thank you bimr. The fact that they use centrifugal pumping stations is quite helpful. That is where I will search for the operations. I assume the power supplied to these pumping stations ("Most pumps are driven by electric motors, although diesel engines or gas turbines may also be used.") is driven by economics. I know that the trans alaskan pipe line has refineries that create jet fuel from the oil to power turbines to generate the needed electricity. I'm sure there isn't much transmission up there.