Optimal pipeline geometries and oil temperatures for least rates of energy expenditure during crude-oil transmission

A mathematical model has been developed to describe the energy behaviour of a hot oil being pumped through a thermally insulated pipeline. With this model, for each specified application, predictions can be made of the interrelated optimal pipe size and temperature distribution along the pipeline corresponding to which ensues the least overall steady-state rate of energy expenditure due to thermal and hydraulic losses. In particular, the evolved iterative computational technique has been applied to the design of long (>100 km) crude oil pipelines. It is also relatively simple to extend the presented analysis in order to determine the optimal numbers of reheating and booster pumping stations necessary along the pipeline for any specific application.