OPTIMIZED DESIGN OF A HEATED OIL PIPELINE

A practical method for finding the optimum design for a heated oil pipeline has been developed. In a specific case, the three principle variables are (1) pipeline diameter, (2) installed pump station power, and (3) flowing temperature. Tables are constructed to show successively (for five temperatures and seven pipeline diameters) the brake horsepower required, the cost of pumping stations, the pipeline capital cost, the total capital cost for both pipeline and pump stations, and finally the equivalent net revenue to support the capital cost. Further tables develop operating and maintenance costs for the five temperatures and seven diameters: annual fuel costs for each pipeline temperature, annual pumping energy cost, pump station operating and maintenance costs, pipeline operating and maintenance costs, and total operating and maintenance costs. When the net revenue to support capital costs is added to the total operating and maintenance costs for each combination of temperature and pipe diameter, the lowest cost (optimum) combination is evident.