Numerical Simulation on the Response of Adjacent Underground Pipelines to Super Shallow Buried Large Span Double-Arch Tunnel Excavation

The excavation of a shallow buried tunnel may cause stress redistribution in surrounding rock, and cause deformation, damage, and even destruction of adjacent underground pipelines. The land part of the Haicang undersea tunnel in Xiamen of China was a super shallow buried large span double-arch tunnel. Its construction was restricted by both underground excavation safe and adjacent pipeline protection. Multiple groups of working conditions were designed considering the relative position of pipe and tunnel, pipeline and tunnel construction parameters. Numerical simulation was used to study the influence of pipeline horizontal distance, buried depth, pipeline diameter, pipeline wall thickness, pipeline shape, pipeline material and excavation method on the response of adjacent underground pipelines. The results show that the relative position of pipe and tunnel, and the construction method of the double-arch tunnel have a great influence on pipeline deformation. Pipeline material, pipeline diameter and excavation method have a great influence on pipeline stress. The construction method was the key factor affecting the stress and deformation of the pipeline. The three-step reserved core soil method can effectively control the stress and deformation of underground pipelines. The research results can provide a reference for similar projects.

Experimental Study on Thermal Insulation Effect of the Buried Oil-Gas Pipelines in Permafrost Regions

In permafrost regions, long distance buried pipelines are widely used to transport oil and natural gas resources. However, pipeline problems occur frequently due to the complicated surrounding environment and transportation requirement of positive temperature. In this study, a thermal insulation layer was applied to mitigate permafrost degeneration around the buried oil-gas pipelines. Based on engineering background of the Sebei-Xining-Lanzhou natural gas pipeline in China, an indoor model test was designed and carried out in which many key indices, such as the temperature regime, vertical displacement, pipeline wall stress, and water content, were closely monitored. The test results indicate that the large heat loss of the buried pipeline produces a rapid increase in ground temperatures which seriously reduces the bearing capacity of the permafrost foundation. The buried oil-gas pipelines with a thermal insulation layer can effectively reduce the thawing range and vertical displacement of the permafrost foundation around the buried pipelines, so as to control the stress of the pipeline wall in the normal range and protect the safe and stable operation of the buried oil-gas pipelines. The experimental results can serve as a reference for the construction, operation, and maintenance of buried oil-gas pipelines in permafrost regions.

Estimation of the value of leaks through a through defect of the pipeline when using in-pipe repair elements

The loss of hydrocarbons when using in-pipe repair elements is determined by the nature of the fluid flow in the gap between the pipe and the repair sleeve. An accurate analytical calculation of the flow parameters for a real sleeve, taking into account its length, the asymmetry of the defect and other design features, is very difficult. In this article, the problem of accurate calculation of the radial flow of a viscous incompressible fluid in a thin layer between two annular plates simulating a circular region with a center coincide with a pipeline defect is solved. The area consists of two circles formed by the pipeline wall with a through defect and the surface of the internal repair element. The results obtained will allow us for accurate calculations in the area adjacent to the defect of the pipe and approximate calculations for the whole repair element.

Determining the features of oscillations in prestressed pipelines

This paper considers the structural solution for a main above-ground pipeline with a pre-stressed winding, which makes it possible to improve the efficiency of operation and reduce material consumption. The results from studying experimentally the features in the operation of prestressed pipelines under static operating loads are given. It is shown that the radial movements of the wall of a pre-stressed pipeline are constrained by the strained winding, which prevents its deformation. It was revealed that increasing the tension force of the winding wire reduces circular stresses in the pipeline wall by 1.3...1.6 times and increases meridional ones by 1.2...1.4 times. The experimental study into the models of prestressed pipelines with free vertical and horizontal oscillations has established the dependence of frequency characteristics on the operating conditions and pre-stress parameters. It was found that the envelope amplitude on the oscillogram of free attenuated oscillations takes the shape of an exponent, which indicates the damping effect of the pre-stress. Analysis of the change in the dynamic characteristics of the models depending on the pre-stress force has revealed that the frequencies of free oscillations increase by 1.5÷1.6 times while the oscillation decrement decreases by 1.2÷1.25 times. This paper reports the results of studying the influence of pre-stress parameters on the stressed-strained state of the pipeline model under forced horizontal and vertical oscillations. It is shown that the diagrams of circular dynamic stresses and deformations in the models of a prestressed pipeline are smoother compared to similar characteristics of a conventional pipeline tested at the same experimental parameters. The study results have made it possible to quantify the features in the operation of a pre-stressed pipeline under static and dynamic influences, taking into consideration the pre-stress parameters and operating conditions.

Повышение точности прогнозных расчетов технического состояния нефтепроводов с учетом данных датчиков СОД о температуре перекачиваемой нефти

The experience of operating oil main pipelines laid underground in cryolithozone conditions shows that one of the reasons for the decrease in operational reliability of the pipeline is its thermal effect on permanently frozen ground. The parameter included in the list of initial data for predictive calculations of the technical condition of the oil pipeline is the temperature of the pumped oil, which is traditionally determined by the readings of the sensors measuring the temperature of the pipe wall of monitoring and supervisory control systems. However, the distance between these sensors can reach several tens of kilometers, so the measurements are valid only for selected sections on the pipeline segment, the shape of the temperature distribution function between them remains unknown, which negatively affects the accuracy of predictive calculations. To solve this problem it is proposed to use flow temperature sensors installed on cleaning and diagnostic facilities, with the help of which it is possible to measure the temperature of the pumped oil in each section of the pipeline. The authors set a goal to study the applicability of the results of oil temperature measurements by sensors from cleaning and diagnostics facilities to improve the accuracy of predictive calculations of thawing areolas and soil settlements at the base of main oil pipeline. In the course of the study, a series of tests was carried out using the oil temperature sensor installed on the inline inspection tool VIP 40-OPT.00-01.000 and pipe wall strap-on temperature sensor TSPU 011. According to the results of the study, the expediency of using the results of oil temperature measurements by the sensor of inline inspection tool when calculating the temperature of the pipeline wall to select the shape of the approximating function, as well as to solve related problems of geotechnical monitoring was confirmed. In order to improve the accuracy of predictive calculations of thawing areolas and soil settlements, an algorithm has been developed for checking the compliance of the calculated model of the oil pipeline with the actual pumping conditions. Опыт эксплуатации магистральных нефтепроводов, проложенных подземным способом в условиях криолитозоны, показывает, что одной из причин снижения эксплуатационной надежности трубопровода является его тепловое воздействие на многолетнемерзлый грунт. Параметром, входящим в перечень исходных данных для проведения прогнозных расчетов технического состояния нефтепровода, является температура перекачиваемой нефти, которая традиционно определяется по показаниям датчиков измерения температуры стенки трубы систем диспетчерского контроля и управления. Однако расстояние между этими датчиками может достигать десятков километров, поэтому проводимые измерения справедливы только для выбранных секций на участке трубопровода, форма функции распределения температуры между ними остается неизвестной, что отрицательно сказывается на точности прогнозных расчетов. Для решения данной проблемы предлагается использовать датчики температуры потока, устанавливаемые на средствах очистки и диагностики – с их помощью возможно производить измерения температуры перекачиваемой нефти в каждой секции трубопровода. Авторами поставлена цель по исследованию применимости результатов измерений температуры нефти датчиками со средств очистки и диагностики для повышения точности прогнозных расчетов ореолов оттаивания и осадок грунта в основании магистрального нефтепровода. В ходе исследования проведены испытания с использованием датчика температуры нефти, установленного на внутритрубном инспекционном приборе ВИП 40-ОПТ.00-01.000 и накладного датчика температуры стенки трубы ТСПУ 011. По итогам исследования подтверждена целесообразность использования результатов измерений температуры нефти датчиком внутритрубного инспекционного прибора при расчетах температуры стенки трубопровода для выбора формы аппроксимирующей функции, а также для решения сопутствующих задач геотехнического мониторинга. С целью повышения точности прогнозных расчетов ореола оттаивания и осадки грунта разработан алгоритм проверки соответствия расчетной модели нефтепровода фактическим условиям перекачки.

Physical model experiment on the influence of water depth on the underwater pipeline surface impacted by landslide surge

A physical model experiment of flume block landslide was used to study the influence of landslide surge impact on underwater pipeline surface under different water depths. The influence of surge impact pressure on pipelines with different water depths and the impact pressure of surge at different angles of underwater pipelines wall were analyzed. And the relationship between the maximum impact pressure of underwater pipelines and the depth of water was obtained. The results indicated that with the decrease of the water depths, the maximum impact pressure at the wall of the underwater pipeline increases approximately linearly, and the slider is easier to form higher first wave height. The maximum impact pressure of the upper surface of the pipeline wall is greater than that of the lower surface of the pipeline wall under the same working conditions. It is also found that the smaller the depth of water, the larger the maximum pressure and average pressure at the measuring point would be and the greater the pressure fluctuation becomes when slider volume and landslide water inlet angle and speed remain the same.

Estimation of the Influence of Compressed Hydrogen on the Mechanical Properties of Pipeline Steels

Consideration of the possibility of transporting compressed hydrogen through existing gas pipelines leads to the need to study the regularities of the effect of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of steels in relation to the conditions of their operation in pipelines (operating pressure range, stress state of the pipe metal, etc.). This article provides an overview of the types of influence of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of steels, including those used for the manufacture of pipelines. The effect of elastic and plastic deformations on the intensity of hydrogen saturation of steels and changes in their strength and plastic deformations is analyzed. An assessment of the potential losses of transported hydrogen through the pipeline wall as a result of diffusion has been made. The main issues that need to be solved for the development of a scientifically grounded conclusion on the possibility of using existing gas pipelines for the transportation of compressed hydrogen are outlined.

Analytical Method for Fluid-Solid Coupling Vibration Analysis of Hydraulic Pipeline System with Hinged Ends

The vibrations in hydraulic pipeline systems inevitably involve the interaction between the two-phase media of a solid and fluid. The fluid flowing in the pipeline generates pressure on the pipeline wall and thus causes vibration and deformation in the pipeline, which in turn changes the fluid flow condition, thereby cyclically affecting the deformation and motion of the solid and fluid and making the pipeline system vulnerable to vibration damage. Therefore, it is of great theoretical and practical value to investigate the vibration behavior and characteristics of hydraulic pipeline systems. In this study, the fluid flow-induced vibrations in a pipeline system are investigated based on Housner’s differential vibration equation of fluid pipelines. Through the application of relevant mathematical theories and methods, the derivation of the inherent characteristics and dynamic behavior of a hydraulic pipeline system with two hinged ends is simplified, and the corresponding equations for the natural frequencies and dynamic response of the system are obtained. The analytical method for analyzing the vibration behavior and characteristics of the system is presented, and the analytical results of the vibration analysis of the system are obtained through computer simulation, providing a theoretical and technical basis for the safe and reliable operation of the hydraulic pipeline system.