(3) Determining time of cut. The type of batch change being made determines the time to make the cut.
A line sampling station will be located before the manifold to allow the product cut to be made under normal
flow.
9. Determining Length of Interfaces.
To determine the length of the interface requires the following data:
The interface arrival - starting time.
The interface passage - ending time.
The total elapsed time between starting and ending times.
The pumping rate per minute.
EXAMPLE: The interface arrives at the pump station starting at 1930. It passes the pump station at 2005. The
pumping rate is 2,200 barrels per hour.
60 - 30 = 30 minutes
30 + 5 = 35 minutes
1930 - 2005 = 35 minutes for the interface to pass
2,200 Mbbls per hour / 60 = 36.6666 = 36.7 bpm
Total interface mixture: 35 x 36.7 = 1,284.5 bbl
10. Product Pumping Rate.
The product pumping rate is determined based on the quantity of a product batched into the pipeline each
hour. The pumping rate of flow is further verified by reports from pump station along the pipeline and the
receiving location as the batch arrives.
EXAMPLE 1: A batch of 2,200 barrels of product is started into the pipeline at 0100: The product batching is
complete at 0200. The batching of this product into the pipeline required 1 hour.
NOTE: To determine the flow rate per hour, divide the quantity by time.
2,200 bbl / 1 hour = 2,200 barrels per hour.
a. Due to the volumes handled in a pipeline, we refer to rates of flow and quantities in Mbbl.
EXAMPLE 2: 2,200 barrels = 2,200 / 1000 = 2.2 Mbbl.
b. Knowing the rate of product flow, arrival times can be determined at each pump station and terminals
notified of the expected arrival time.
c. Pipeline operations for planning purposes is for a 20 - hour day.
(1) This allows 20 hours to pump and 4 hours for maintenance during a 24-hour day.
QM5202
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