Select pipe size based on payback

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Hydrocarbon Processing; (United States)

OSTI ID:6766479

Sloane, B A ^[1]

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1. Monenco Ltd., Calgary, Alberta (Canada)

Considerations for capital and operating costs can be combined by using a pipe selection strategy in which the precise line size is chosen based on a quantifiable balance. The method selects pipe size based on incremental payback. Calculations are first performed with a size that is known to be too small. The size is then increased and the added cost of constructing the larger pipe system is compared to the savings in energy costs required to pump the fluid through the line. The heart of the strategy lies in testing the payback of each successively larger pipe system until some predetermined payback threshold is crossed. A variety of other criteria exists for choosing pipe size for a particular fluid transfer application. For example, low velocity may be required where there are erosion or corrosion concerns. Alternatively, higher velocities may be desirable for slurries where settling is a concern. Constructibility will also weigh significantly in the choice of pipe size. A small pipe size may not accommodate the head and flow requirements efficiently, whereas space limitations may prohibit selecting large pipe sizes. The method is described and then illustrated with an example calculation.

• OSTI ID: 6766479
• Journal Information: Hydrocarbon Processing; (United States), Journal Name: Hydrocarbon Processing; (United States) Vol. 73:7; ISSN HYPRAX; ISSN 0018-8190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320303 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
42 ENGINEERING
420205* -- Engineering-- Transport & Storage Facilities-- (1980-)
CAPITALIZED COST
COST
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EQUATIONS
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
PAYBACK PERIOD
PIPES
SIZING