Experimental study of the flow force applied to the marine pipelines in different conditions using the momentum absorption method

Abstract

ABSTRACT Submarine pipelines are one of the safest ways to transport crude oil and its derivatives, and this necessitates a more careful study of the technical knowledge governing this issue. Compared to other methods of transporting petroleum products. such as the use of tankers. the use of pipelines has many advantages, including the low impact of their environmental pollution. In this study, the measurement of flow force applied to the submarine pipelines was experimentally measured using a system of load cell. This was done using a special type of flume called a knife edge flume with a length of 14 m, width of 1 m and height of 1 m. The flow force was measured directly using an electronic dynamometer (Load cell). In this study, five different pipe diameter of 5, 10, 20, 25, and 35 cm were used to model submarine pipelines at different distances as double and single pipelines. It was also tested at different depths of submergence and tested at three different buried depths. Furthermore, the results of the absorption method were compared with the results of force measurement obtained from other methods, and it was found that the force absorption method provides reliable results. Based on the experiments, it was found that methods based on energy principles do not have acceptable results except in small-diameter pipes. Also, with increasing the diameter of the pipelines and increasing the depth and increasing the depth of submergence, the amount of force applied by the flow on the pipelines increases. Furthermore, the buried depth is inversely proportional to the force applied. In dual pipelines, the taller distance between the pipelines leads to taller force applied to them. It can also be seen that the diameter of the pipes is the most effective factor in the force applied by the flow on the submarine pipelines.