Determine the Requirements for Existing Pipeline, Tank and Terminal Systems to Transport Ethanol without Cracking

Overview

Main Objective

The project aims to understand how Fuel Grade Ethanol and other ethanol-rich products might be transported via pipelines.

Public Abstract

Pipeline companies have a keen interest in assessing the feasibility of transporting fuel grade ethanol (FGE) and ethanol blends in existing pipelines. Previous research, funded by PRCI and API, has shown that steel can suffer stress corrosion cracking (SCC) when exposed to FGE in the presence of oxygen. Though cracking was prevalent under some conditions, considerable variability in cracking susceptibility of steel was noted with different ethanol sources. Additionally, the effects of residence time of FGE or its blends on SCC (i.e. crack initiation time and growth rate) have not yet been determined. Finally, the effects of ethanol on other materials used in the pipelines, such as seals and internal coatings, will to be evaluated. Thus, the major objectives of the proposed program are to:

• Identifying the blends that can be transported in existing systems with little or no modification, focusing on:

  • Determining the characteristics of blends that are critical in determining whether they are safe in pipelines, including water pickup, phase separation, materials effects, and solvent effects, and
  • Determining the effects of ethanol on other operational processes such as the use of Drag Reducing Agents, transmix injection and reprocessing, and jet fuel filtering

• Identifying which blends can be transported in existing systems with appreciable modifications (similar to the assessment involved in the issue of ultra-low sulfur diesel), along with the requisite changes.

• Identifying which blends cannot be practically transported in existing systems but could be transported in specially designed new systems, both transmission and distribution

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