US3734137A

US3734137A - Pipeline transmission system

Info

Publication number: US3734137A
Application number: US00109512A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Stanley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-01-25
Filing date: 1971-01-25
Publication date: 1973-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 1990-05-22

Abstract

An elongated oil or gas pipe mounted on an elevated platform insulated from the ground surface. The pipe is enclosed within a full length insulated housing which contains service pipes, rails, and the like. At selected points along the system, game crossings are provided to enable a maintenance of the natural game paths and migratory patterns of the wildlife of the area.

Description

[ 51 May 22, 1973 United States Patent [191 Stanley FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 3,045,707 3,322,141 5/1967 Gans et al..... 3,418,399 12/1968 Ziegler.............................

n e W ma no Y8 S mm m %s I mt m: r Rm m H mm n we Pm mm Longmont, Colo. 80501 Jan. 25, 1971 Appl. No.: 109,512

[22] Filed:

572,942 3/1924 France.........l.......................138/1ll 4,334 3/1895 .138/111 Primary Examiner-Everette A. Powell, Jr. Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson 50 7. 0 US B col 7 63 1 0 l 55% 01 WWW 3 W mmm4 1 mmu mmml nun] umu 000 03 u h C "r ""8 fin In C .m m UIF 1.111 21 00 555 III.

[57] ABSTRACT An elongated oil or gas pipe mounted on an elevated [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PAT ENTS 9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures platform insulated from the ground surface. The pipe is enclosed within a full length insulated housing which contains service pipes, rails, and the like. At selected points along the system, game crossings are provided to enable a maintenance of the natural game paths and migratory patterns of the wildlife of the area.

....I38/106 138/106 X 138/111 X ....l38/l08 ....138/l06 .,..138/106 138/105 X Guimarin..

l 1/1890 Verstraete 9/1919 Gottwald.

2/1932 Hauser 10/1958 1,155,610 10/1915 Orrock..... 2,049,184 7/1936 Walsleben 2,134,393 10/1938 Bennett.... 3,630,153 12/1971 PATENIEB m2 2 m 73 SHEET 2 [IF 3 yw w f a L m m w R PATENIED mwzzlm SHEET 3 IF 3 Robert L. .Sfan/ey QM (ma Wave; 12%

vM Vy /J M P QR PIPELINE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM The present invention is generally concerned with a system for the transport of fluids by pipeline, and more particularly involves a pipeline transmission system designed to transport crude oil through areas wherein a maintenance of the natural environment is essential.

The recent opening of the Alaskan oil fields has presented the involved oil companies with the substantial problem of transporting the crude oil across approximately 200 miles of the Alaskan Steppes without interfering with the physical features of the land and without adversely affecting the migratory patterns of the wildlife.

The oil must be transported at a constant temperature of approximately 180 through an appropriate pipeline. However, this results in a heating of the area adjacent the pipeline and a resultant penetrating of the permafrost barrier. Thus, the normally frozen ground becomes a permanent bog or sea of mud with the tundra and surface vegetation in the area disappearing. The wild life of the area will not cross the artificial barrier which would be presented by a conventional pipeline, nor will they cross or be able to cross the bog-like area or disturbed ground surface thereabout. This in turn would make it difficult or impossible for the animals to follow their normal migratory patterns in search of food, and would result in their ultimate extinction.

Thus, to permit the transport of oil by pipeline under conditions experienced in the Alaskan Steppes and similar locales, it is necessary that a pipeline system be devised which will preserve the existing natural conditions. In other words, the system must provide for the effective transport of the oil at the desired temperature while preventing any transmission of the heat to the surrounding area. In addition, the system must incorporate means for the servicing and repair of the pipeline, and prevention of the escape of spilled oil onto the surrounding ground surface. Provision must also be made so as to maintain the normal animal paths which will.

necessarily be crossed by the pipeline system.

The instant invention, in effecting such a system, provides an elongated insulated pipeline housed within an enlarged full length arched enclosure with the pipeline and enclosure being supported on a raised insulated base. Appropriate service lines, rails, conduits and the like are provided along the length of the pipeline, as are sump holes and periodic pumping stations incorporating sumps and sump pumps. Likewise, at points along the pipeline system where game paths or migratory paths are crossed, opposed gradually sloping ramps extend transversely over the pipeline and provide a natural game crossing for the free movement of the wildlife. The system itself is completely insulated from the surrounding area whereby no transmission of heat thereto results such as might affect the ecology of the area.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of the pipeline transmission system of the instant invention in both section and perspective;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of the system wherein the sump is located, a section of the construction being broken away for purposes of illustration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged crosssectional view through the pipeline and adjoining construction;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail through the lower portion of the housing, wall, taken substan-' tially on a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line 5-5 in FIG. 1 and illustrating the construction at one side of the base.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the over-all pipeline system comprising the instant invention. The pipeline itself is designated by reference numeral l2 and, while not limited thereto, will normally be at least 48 inches in diameter. An insulating blanket 14 of, as one example, 3-inch plastic foam such as Styrafoam will be provided about the pipeline 12.

An elongated pipe saddle 16 underlies and supports the pipe or pipeline 12 along the full length thereof. This saddle 16 includes a pair of opposed vertical side panels 18 rising from a horizontal foot panel 20 and interconnected at their upper ends by a pipe receiving arcuate cradle 22. It will be noted that the pipe saddle 16 engages directly against the pipe 12 for a firm positive support thereof, this saddle being divided into upper and lower full length chambers 24 and 26 by a transverse partition 28. The upper chamber 24 will be filled with appropriate insulating material 30 preferably thicker than the pipe blanket 14. The lower full length chamber 26 will constitute a controlled air duct through which cooled air will be moved to assist in avoiding any downward transferring of heat from the pipeline 12.

The pipe saddle 16 is affixed centrally along a relatively wide floor or deck panel 32 which is formed of a series of steel plates bolted or welded to define the laterally enlarged deck along the full length of the system 10. This floor or deck 32 is supported on a series of spaced transversely extending wide flange I-beams 34, being appropriately welded or bolted thereto as generally indicated at reference numeral 36. If deemed desirable, transverse braces or stabilizing beams 38 can .be provided between adjacent ones of the beams 34.

The beams 34 are in turn positioned in spaced relation, approximately 4 feet, above grade level 40 by means of a series of vertically elongated steel pilings 42 which are sunk through the tundra 44 and a substantial distance into the underlying permafrost area 46. It is contemplated that the lower end. of each of the pilings 42 be of the type which, after sinking, can be outwardly exploded so as to more firmly anchor. In addition, noting FIG. 2 in particular, each of the pilings 42 will preferably incorporate a sprin'g'loaded cap 48 thereon with a limit stop 50 to accommodate slight ground movements or settling.

The enlarged supporting base, that is the area defined below the floor or deck 32, has the opposed longitudinal sides thereof enclosed by vertical side plates 52, the upper edge portions of the side plates 52 being appropriately welded or bolted to the floor 32 by corner angles 54. Appropriate stiffeners or knee braces 56 are welded between each transverse beam 34, at the opposed ends thereof, and the adjoining side panel 52.

The base area defined between the side panels 52 and below the deck 32 is filled with insulation, preferably of a high density nature so as to also act in the manner of a floating support for the floor 32 in conjunction with the spring-loaded pilings 42. This material can consist of cork, bales of cotton, or foam plastic, such as Styrafoam introduced through appropriate plugged apertures 58 formed in the deck 32. Further, if deemed desirable, tightly compacted support modules 60 of, as an example, cotton or cork can be provided in conjunction with the pillings 42 for introducing an additional degree of support and stability to the base. Incidentally, noting FIG. in particular, if a substantial unevenness exists in the terrain, it may be necessary to utilize a layer of wire mesh or expanded metal 62 thereon so as to assist in properly positioning and retaining the insulation.

An enlarged arched roof housing or enclosure 64 is provided over the pipeline 12 along the full length thereof with the housing 64 being approximately 24 feet wide and presenting approximately a 9 foot clearance over the top of the pipeline 12. The housing 64 includes opposed vertical side walls 66 and an arched roof 68 extending therebetween. Both the side walls 66 and the roof 68 are preferably defined by inner and outer panels sandwiching insulation therebetween. Similarly, if so desired, external and/or internal layers of insulation can also be provided. As will be appreciated from FIG. 1 in particular, it is contemplated that the roof 68 of the housing 64 utilize corrugated panels. With reference to FIG. 4, continuous oil seal angles 70 will be utilized in securing the side walls to the deck 32 and the corresponding roof edge in the manner whereby leakproof joints are provided. Continuous electrical conduits 72 are to be provided longitudinally through the arched roof 68 with these conduits 72 being selectively accessible from the interior of the housing 64 for use in the construction and maintenance of the system.

It will be noted that the deck of steel plate 32 projects laterally beyond both sides of the housing 64 for a substantial distance mounting, to each side of the housing 64, three laterally spaced elongated rails 74. The outermost pair of rails to each side of the housing 64 will, during the construction of the system 10, be utilized to carry the gantry crane used to set up the construction material, and will also accommodate narrow gauge railroad cars for the transport of material therealong as construction progresses. Once the construction is completed, these outermost pairs of rails will provide a means for transportation along the system for inspection and maintenance purposes.

The two rails 74 immediately adjacent the housing 64, one to each side thereof, will be used primarily during the construction of the system for the transport of prefabricated sections of the housing 64 to the point of installation.

Three rails 76 will also be provided along the deck 32 to each side of the pipeline 12 itself within the housing 64. The two outermost pairs of rails 76 will be used in the same manner as the outermost pairs of rails 74 for the transport of equipment, materials and personnel both during the construction of the system and subsequent thereto, while the innermost rails 76, one to each side of the pipeline 12, will accommodate equipment utilized to transport prefabricated sections of the pipe to the point of installation.

Also located within the housing 64 and extending longitudinally therealong immediately adjacent the pipeline 12 are an insulated or non-insulated air supply line 78, water supply line 80, and gas supply line 82 for a provision of these essentials both during the construction and maintenance of the pipeline system. It will of course be appreciated that appropriate valves, pumps and the like will be utilized as required in conjunction with these lines.

In order to accommodate any accidential leakage which might develop in the pipeline l2, and prevent such leakage escaping from the system and causing damage to the surrounding environment, enclosed sump holes 84 are provided along the system immediately below the floor or deck 32 between adjacent ones of the transverse beams 34 with appropriate access holes 86 extending through the deck 32 and into communication with the sump holes 84. The sump holes are in turn communicated with sumps 86 located at longitudinally spaced points along the length of the pipeline transmission system 10 by means of a longitudinally ex tending suction pipe 88 which extends through the aligned sump holes 84 and into the sump 86. An appropriate motor driven sump pump 90 is mounted on the pipeline l2 and communicated with each sump 86 by an appropriate intake line 92, and with the pipeline itself through an appropriate discharge line 94 for an efficient return of any leakage to the pipeline. The sump 86 will preferably be the width of the housing 64 and extend between a pair of adjacent beams 34. In addition, it is contemplated that the sump pumps 90 be located at low spots along the pipeline so as to facilitate a pumping of any oil leakage back into the line. An appropriate check valve 96 is to be provided in the pipeline 12 generally in the vicinity of each of the sump pumps 90 whereby, in case of a leak in the line, the pressure will decrease and permit pumping of the oil back into the main line. Finally, an appropriate door 98, so constructed as to be effectively clamped closed so as to seal the door opening, is provided at each pumping station through the side of the housing 64.

As previously indicated, the pipeline system 10 will have to intersect and extend over natural wildlife paths used particularly in following migratory patterns. In order to not interfere with such patterns, the instant invention contemplates the provision of an animal crossing 100 at each such point. Each of these crossings will be in the nature of an enlarged ramp or pair of opposed ramps which slopes gradually upward from ground level to the opposite sides of the housing 64 so as to extend thereover and form in effect a gently sloping hill.

These crossings 100 are to be so constructed as to provide a rigid platform over which wildlife can move without danger and in a manner which will appear natural to the wildlife involved. It will of course be appreciated that the width of each of the crossings 100 shall be sufficient so as to constitute a natural continuation of the path with the material of the crossings being par ticularly selected so as to conform as much as possible to the surrounding natural environment.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly unique oil transmission system has been defined. This system incorporates an elevated insulated pipeline which enables a pumping and moving of the oil, at the required elevated temperature, without danger of transmission of the heat to the surrounding area. In addition, provision is made, through the utilization of appropriate oil seals, which seals incidentally are also provided between the plates which form the deck 32 and the support beams 34, and sump means, for precluding any possibility of oil leakage out of the system. The pipeline itself is mounted in an elevated position above grade on an enlarged insulating base providing, in conjunction with spring-loaded piles, a slight floating action to simplify the accommodation of the system to ground conditions and such variations as may occur therein due to alternate thawing and freezing or the like. There has thus been provided a particularly useful means for effectively moving oil over frozen areas such as the Alaskan Steppes without danger of adversely affecting the surrounding areas or interfering with the natural habitat of the wildlife.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An above ground pipeline transmission system comprising a fluid transmitting pipeline, a ground engaging base positioned in underlying relation to the pipeline along the length thereof, said base maintaining said pipeline elevated above ground level, and an enlarged housing positioned over said pipeline along the length thereof and engaged with the base to the opposite sides of said pipeline, said base extending laterally beyond both sides of said housing, said base being insulated whereby heat transmission from the pipeline to the ground is precluded, said base including an upper deck, support means underlying said deck and maintaining said deck elevated above ground level, and insulating material underlying said deck and extending from said deck to ground level.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said insulating material defines a floating support for said deck.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said support means includes deck mounting beams and depending ground interlocked piles.

4. The system of claim 3 including an elongated pipe saddle mounted on said base along the length thereof and receiving and supporting said pipeline, said pipe saddle including upper and lower longitudinal channels, the upper one of said channels incorporating means for insulating the under portion of said pipeline along the length thereof, the lower of said channels defining a cool air duct for the accommodation of forced cool air to preclude a downward transmission of heat from the pipeline.

5. The system of claim 4 including sump means located at points along said base in underlying relation to said pipeline, and associated sump pump means for a return of any sump received oil leakage to said pipeline.

6. The system of claim 4 including supply lines extending longitudinally along said base within said housing and adjacent said pipeline, and service rails positioned on said insulated base along said pipeline laterally thereof both interiorly and exteriorly of said housmg.

7. The system of claim 6 including transversely directed housing spanning crossings positioned at longitudinally spaced points along said! housing, each cross ing defining a natural continuation ofa migratory game path and comprising a gradually sloping surface extending from the top of said housing to the ground level to the opposite sides of the housing for unencumbered passage of wildlife thereover.

8. An above ground pipeline transmission system comprising a fluid transmitting pipeline, a ground engaging base positioned in underlying relation to the pipeline along the length thereof, said base maintaining said pipeline elevated above ground level, and an enlarged housing positioned over said pipeline along the length thereof and engaged with the base to the opposite sides of said pipeline, said base extending laterally beyond both sides of said housing, an elongated pipe saddle mounted on said base along the length thereof, and receiving and supporting said pipeline, said pipe saddle including upper and lower longitudinal channels, the upper one of said channels incorporating means for insulating the under portion of said pipeline along the length thereof, the lower of said channels defining a cool air duct for the accommodation of forced cool air to preclude a downward transmission of heat from the pipeline.

9. An above ground pipeline transmission system comprising a fluid transmitting pipeline, a ground engaging base positioned in underlying relation to the pipeline along the length thereof, said base maintaining said pipeline elevated above ground level, and an enlarged housing positioned over said pipeline along the length thereof and engaged with the base to the opposite. sides of said pipeline, said base extending laterally beyond both sides of said housing, said base being insulated whereby heat transmission from the pipeline to the ground is precluded, supply lines extending longitudinally along said base within said. housing and adjacent said pipeline, and service rails positioned on said insulated base along said pipeline laterally thereof both interiorly and exteriorly of saidhousing.

Claims

6. The system of claim 4 including supply lines extending longitudinally along said base within said housing and adjacent said pipeline, and service rails positioned on said insulated base along said pipeline laterally thereof both interiorly and exteriorly of said housing.

7. The system of claim 6 including transversely directed housing spanning crossings positioned at longitudinally spaced points along said housing, each crossing defining a natural continuation of a migratory game path and comprising a gradually sloping surface extending from the top of said housing to the ground level to the opposite sides of the housing for unencumbered passage of wildlife thereover.

9. An above ground pipeline transmission system comprising a fluid transmitting pipeline, a ground engaging base positioned in underlying relation to the pipeline along the length thereof, said base maintaining said pipeline elevated above ground level, and an enlarged housing positioned over said pipeline along the length thereof anD engaged with the base to the opposite sides of said pipeline, said base extending laterally beyond both sides of said housing, said base being insulated whereby heat transmission from the pipeline to the ground is precluded, supply lines extending longitudinally along said base within said housing and adjacent said pipeline, and service rails positioned on said insulated base along said pipeline laterally thereof both interiorly and exteriorly of said housing.