The special requirements involved in the application of large diesel engines to automated pipeline service are covered in this paper. Further, these requirements are presented from three important points of view, that of the pipeline designer - constructor, the prime mover manufacturer, and the pipeline operator. The needs of these spheres of influence are combined in an integrated system. Though relating specifically to pipeline service, many principles and concepts apply to all automated engine systems. The selection of station locations along a pipeline is primarily based on the hydraulics of the system. Therefore, there is little latitude in selecting the site. In the majority of cases these station sites are in remote areas which are not favorable to good living conditions. When operating personnel and their families work and live on unfavorable job sites, they are deprived of the advantages that an urban area offers socially, educationally and culturally. Once the selection is made, the cost of providing housing, recreation facilities, canteens, utilities, water and sewage systems and other necessities must be considered. This cost can then be weighed against the cost of providing for fully unattended automatic operating stations. Capital cost, of course, is not the only expenditure to be considered. Annual operating and maintenance figures must also be evaluated. The complexity of the modern, high output, industrial heavy duty engine might infer that it is too intricate and fickle to be successfully automated. Petroleum pipelines, however, have yielded information on the reliability of today's industrial engine, useful as a base for automation feasibility study. Such can be seen in the maintenance schedule for Trans Mountain Oil Pipe Line Company engines. These engines are 13-1/2' (330 mm) bore by 16-1/2' (420 mm) stroke operating at 514 rpm. Rated bmep for these units is 176 psi, and experience covers a period of approximately 10 years. Wearing parts such as bearings, pistons, piston rings, cylinder heads, etc. show an extremely long life. The shortest interval is that which is used for checking the engine safety systems, combustion, balance, and alignment. Even this interval is approximately 3 months. With proper protection and support systems, then, a pipeline station could be left unattended up to that length of time. Other pipelines have similar experience, proving the ability of the engine to run for extended periods of time.
The medium-sized diesel engine - its role in automated pipelines
Die Rolle von mittelgroßen Dieselmotoren in automatisierten Pipelines
1968
22 Seiten, 8 Bilder, 3 Quellen
Conference paper
Storage medium
English
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