Recently the Trump Administration has given the go ahead to start oil flowing th

Question

Recently the Trump Administration has given the go ahead to start oil flowing through the Dakota Access Pipeline at a rate of 5m^3/s. Assume the density of the oil is the same as water at 20° C. Available pumping stations are rated at 500 horsepower, and are 80% efficient. Suppose the energy drop in the pipeline is 50 meters per kilometer.
(a) At what intervals should the pumping stations be located?

(b) Suppose the pipe is fractured. How much oil will be spilled in 1 day?

(c) If the oil contamination is approximately 10cm thick, what would be the surface area of the Dakota Plains covered in oil after 1 day?

Explanation / Answer

Solution:-

Recently the Trump Administration has given the go ahead to start oil flowing through the Dakota Access Pipeline at a rate = 5 m^3/s.

Let us assume that the density of the oil is the same as water = 20° C.

Also given that the available pumping stations are rated at 500 horsepower, and are 80% efficient.

Furthermore let us assume that the energy drop in the pipeline is 50 meters per kilometer.

a) 500/50 = 10 m intervals should the pumping station be located because the energy at the end of the pumping station ten will 0 ( 500- 50*10= 500-500 =0)

b) If pipe is fractured then total spilled oil in 1 day is calculated aas follows:-

In 1 second total spill will be = 5 cubic meter

In 3600 second i.e. in one hour total spill will be = 5*3600

In 24 hours i.e. in 1 day total spill = 5*3600 *24 = 4.32*10^5 cubic meter

c) If the oil contamination is approximately 10cm thick, what would be the surface area of the Dakota Plains covered in oil after 1 day = 4.32* 10^5 /10/100 = 4.32 * 10^6 m^2

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