FLOATING PLASTIC PIPE LINES PROVE FEASIBILITY IN THREE-YEAR OPERATION

Floating plastic pipe lines prove feasibility in three-year operation for the U.S. Air Force in offloading petroleum products from tankers to storage facilities at Einwetok Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. The filament-wound fiberglass reinforced epoxy pipe (frp) coated with 2 in. of urethane foam insulation has buoyancy such that it can be installed along an anchored cable midway between the bottom and surface of the Einwetok lagoon. The frp pipe is capable of repetitive flexing without structural damage. Internal surfaces remain smooth and glossy permitting fast product discharge and low pressure loss along the pipeline. Corrosion does not take place, and fouling by sea growth is minimal. Descriptions cover the fabrication of the pipe in 20 ft units, assembly and installation, and the procedure for picking up the hose when a tanker comes into port. The success of the three 830 ft lines at Eniwetok is resulting in plans for a 12 in. jet fuel line 23,500 ft long; a 6 in. crude oil line 20,000 ft long in a swamp; a 12 in. oil line 4500 ft long; and an 8 in. line 25000 ft long for paper waste effuents. The Bondstrand frp pipe used at Einwetok is produced by Amercoat Corp.

  • Corporate Authors:

    Gulf Publishing Company

    Box 2608
    Houston, TX  United States  77001
  • Publication Date: 1969-11

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00056081
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: American Petroleum Institute
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jul 15 1974 12:00AM