ECONOMICS OF SLURRY PIPELINE SYSTEMS

There has been a four-fold increase in town-mile capacity of slurry pipelines in the 1970s. This paper discusses the movement of those materials which have been proven technically and economically advantageous for long-distance pipeline handling. These materials are coal, iron concentrates, copper concentrates, and limestone. Phosphate is a potential commodity. The author cites 1.7 billion annual ton-miles of commercial experience. He notes that energy requirements are comparable to those of alternative modes. Coal transport costs by pipeline are below those for existing rail lines or waterways. Other minerals can be moved as slurries at costs below those for new rail lines.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper is from Transportation in Focus, Proceedings of the Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Forum, San Francisco, California, 10-12 October 1974.
• Corporate Authors:

  Cross (Richard B) Company

  Oxford, Indiana,   United States  47971
• Authors:
  • Aude, T C
  • Thompson, T L
  • Wasp, E J
• Publication Date: 1974

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 194-202
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Cross (Richard B) Company
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bulk cargo; Coal; Coal industry; Competition; Freight traffic; Iron ores; Limestone; Pipelines; Slurry pipelines; Transportation modes
• Old TRIS Terms: Bulk materials; Potash traffic
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Pipelines; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00072714
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Forum
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proc Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 9 1975 12:00AM