Pipe bending is a crucial component in the formation of many different types of pipelines, like the ones that are used to transport such products as oil, natural gas, water and even sewage. The most valuable of all these products is of course oil.
Interesting Fact #1: Before the invention of pipe bending for oil pipelines, oil was transported from oil wells to railway stations by horse in converted wooden whiskey barrels. It is because of these wooden whiskey barrels that we still measure oil by the barrel today.
Oil pipelines were first used in Pennsylvania to connect an oil field to a railway station. This first pipeline spanned 6 miles and was made entirely out of wrought iron. Eventually the idea caught on and improvements where made leading up to our modern pipelines which are now made out of metal.
Although when one thinks of pipelines they may immediately jump to those that are used for oil, there are many other types of pipelines that are used for different reasons. Generally pipelines can be categorized in three types, which are as follows:
#1 Transportation Pipelines - are the ones that probably first come to mind when you think or an oil pipeline. These pipelines consist of very long pipes with large diameters and are used to transport products such as crude or refined oil and natural gas long distances. Transportation pipelines can stretch between cities, countries and even continents.
#2 Distribution Pipelines - are those that send the finished product, such as natural gas, directly to the consumer's home. Pipelines that are located at shipping and storage areas that send the product to tankers and storage facilities are also considered distribution pipelines.
#3 Gathering Pipelines - are typically a group of smaller interconnected pipes that are used to gather crude oil or natural gas from a number of different areas or wells with the purpose of sending the material to nearby processing or treatment plants. The pipes used in gathering pipelines are smaller, both in length and diameter, than the large oil pipeline that most likely comes to mind. Gathering pipelines are also used in deep-water oil platforms.
Pipelines have been made from many different types of materials. Oil pipelines are typically made from steel pipe bending while natural gas pipelines are made using carbon steel. When it comes to water pipes, the majority of them are made using copper, but older houses and buildings may still be using lead pipes.
Interesting Fact #2: The Romans were the first civilization to use lead pipes to transport water. Plumbum is the Latin word for lead and one who works with water pipes is still known today as a Plumber.
As our population increases the demand for more pipelines to transport water, fuel and even sewage will increase as well. It is with this demand that the steel industry will have to respond with systems that are more economical, environmentally friendly and even more reliable. Without pipelines our civilization would come to a screeching halt.
Author Resource:-
Corey Rozon is a website marketing consultant from Canada.
This article explaining bending pipe and how it is used for piplines was written on behalf of Paramount-Roll a company that specializes in bend pipe for a wide variety of clients.
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