Increasing the Operational Reliability of an Onshore Pipeline Using Positive Displacement Pumps

Abstract Positive displacement pumps excel in pumping fluids with high viscosities and high pour points efficiently across various flow rates and pressures. This article introduces a theoretical analysis of the results from computational simulations carried out to assess the use of a novel pumping system incorporating screw-type positive displacement pumps within a 120 km pipeline for fuel oil transfer in São Paulo, Brazil. To enhance the operational reliability of the pipeline, we explored a new pumping system configuration featuring positive displacement pumps. We selected the screw-type positive displacement pump following the recommendations of API STD 676 standard, considering the pipeline’s required flow rate and maximum permissible operating pressure. We undertook computational simulations with the Stoner Pipeline Simulator 9.8.0 (by GL Noble Denton), to verify the effectiveness of this innovative pumping system. These simulations demonstrated the feasibility and potential of the proposed system, particularly when integrated with a variable frequency drive, to boost the transportation efficiency and reliability of fuel oils.