How should a pipeline be designed & operated?

Pipeline design and operation must strive to avoid any transition to the vapour phase, even during transient phases of operation. Contamination of ammonia with oxygen from the air must be avoided by using nitrogen for example during commissioning.

What is included in a pipeline design?

The design comprises an emergency shutdown system (ESD), segmentation through ESD valves, flow assurance modelling for pipeline sizing, materials selection and external coating addressing corrosion, a booster pumping station with collection systems, pig launchers and receivers, leak detection, burial depth and trench design. 50 or 100 barg.

How much hammering pressure should a pipeline have?

Although pipeline standards allow for brief (10%) instances of pressure exceeding the design limitations, the inherently safer preference is to design for maximum liquid hammering pressure as caused by the emergency shut-in valve. Estimated at approx. 18 bar. Also take the inertia of the volume of ammonia flowing down the pipeline into account.

How does the energy transition affect pipeline safety?

Specific acts and regulations are applicable to pipeline safety. This is the case for natural gas, chemicals but also for new energy carriers such as hydrogen and ammonia. In the Netherlands, Germany and EU, the impact of the energy transition on legal framework is under development.

What are European guidelines for pipeline safety?

European guidelines such as Natura 2000, IPPC and ATEX are harmonised by all EU members. Specific acts and regulations are applicable to pipeline safety. This is the case for natural gas, chemicals but also for new energy carriers such as hydrogen and ammonia.

What is the scope of a pipeline system?

The scope comprises a pipeline system with a single pipeline, booster pump stations, valve stations and interfaces to importing and receiving terminals, see Figure S1. The impact of accidents with pressurised ammonia transfer through pipelines on society is evaluated in terms of risk contours and maximum effect distances, defined as focus areas.