Pipeline Transportation: What Are Its Benefits?

Pipeline Transportation: What Are Its Benefits?

Human civilization has been innovating since the dawn of time. Inventions, regardless of the era they are made in, exist to make people’s lives easier. Even the simplest of modern inventions make impacts that are large enough that it’s highly likely that life may be stunted if they cease to exist. This applies to most objects and systems, from stoves that are either gas-operated or electric, to working pipes that have an insertion magnetic flow meter or just a general-purpose flow meter.

It’s important to note, however, that innovations are constantly being improved on. After all, no system nor object can come out perfectly the first time. Also, it’s possible for innovators to make revisions, as well as make use of existing inventions as stepping stones to create something bigger and better. This is the case for simple pipes, whose system has been employed to create pipeline transportation.

Transportation via pipelines utilizes large metal pipes to make long-distance transfers for liquid and gas materials. It’s also a mode of transporting oil and other chemical products from the production area to the market. Moving oil often costs more than other liquid transportation.

Similar to most modernization, pipeline transportation has a few drawbacks. However, it should be noted that compared to other modes, transportation via pipes have benefits that far outweigh its disadvantages. The following are some of the advantages of using pipeline transportation.

Transport Capacity

Pipelines are known for their ability to make large transports per trip. This is due to the large diameter of each pipe. For example, a pipeline used to move oil can have an annual transport capacity that’s several million tons, if not more. Each pipeline trip can also deliver more than the one-dimensional capacity of single-track railways.

Construction Period and Cost

Several practices have proven that pipeline construction is generally shorter compared to the construction time required for railway systems. Since longer construction periods entail more materials and men needed, this also means that pipeline constructions are less expensive.

Land Occupation

Terrain isn’t a problem in terms of building pipelines. Furthermore, pipelines are often constructed in such a way that almost 95% of its system structure is buried in the ground. So, the land it takes up is usually very small. Also, this means that existing earthwork and greenery can be restored after construction.

Continuity and Footprint

man checking pipes

Due to the volatile nature of most of the items being transported, notably oil, most industries prefer transportation via pipelines because it guarantees safety and prevents leakage and losses. It also has a decreased impact on the environment since it produces less pollution, unlike its other counterparts.

Moreover, notwithstanding internal conflicts, a pipeline’s system is continuous. Business is ensured to proceed even if the weather is horrible.

Efficiency

Transportation via pipelines is continuous, which means it’s highly efficient. Pipelines with larger diameters can even make farther distances with more load. Larger capacities mean lower transportation costs with this system.

The benefits of utilizing pipelines to transport materials are already great in number now, but it’s still possible for this list to grow even more as engineers and designers find ways of improving the current system.

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