Ammonia, Methanol, Oil and Gas Pipeline Network for Industrial Applications, 2nd Edition

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid growth of industrial demand, energy demand is also steadily increasing. As a crucial channel linking energy production and end users, pipeline transportation plays an irreplaceable role in ensuring reliable energy supply. Oil and gas pipelines, as key infrastructure for securing oil and gas delivery, are not only an important support for the reform of energy production and consumption but also a fundamental energy guarantee for the sustainable development of the national economy and society.

Under the dual-carbon targets and the ongoing transition of the energy mix, emerging energy carriers and chemical products such as ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide are entering a stage of large-scale storage, transportation and utilization. In the future energy system, long-distance and large-scale pipeline transportation of liquid ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide (particularly high-pressure or supercritical CO₂ in CCUS/CCS applications) will become key infrastructure supporting the development of clean energy, green chemical industries, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage systems.

Compared with conventional oil and gas, these new media exhibit distinct characteristics in phase behavior, corrosion mechanisms (e.g., CO₂ corrosion of carbon steel in the presence of water), leakage and dispersion behavior (e.g., toxic/irritant nature of ammonia, flammability and diffusivity of hydrogen, asphyxiation risk of CO₂), safety risk profiles, and operation and management patterns. This poses new challenges and higher requirements for pipeline design, material and coating selection, integrity management, safety control, and emergency response.

Therefore, this Topic focuses on pipelines for oil, gas, and new energy/chemical media such as ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide, with particular attention to the following:

• Safety assurance technologies for the whole lifecycle of pipelines;
• Integrity assessment and retrofit technologies for pipelines handling multiple media (oil, gas, ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.);
• Process optimization and operation management technologies for multi-media pipeline transportation;
• Leakage, dispersion and risk assessment technologies for new media (ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, CO₂, etc.);
• Intelligent monitoring, online diagnostics, digital twin and smart operation, and maintenance technologies;
• Standards, codes and management systems adapted to multi-energy, multi-media pipeline networks;
• Domestic and foreign oil and gas pipeline construction plan and engineering practice;
• Hydrogen-doped/pure hydrogen pipeline transportation technology;
• Production and operation of oil and gas pipelines;
• Optimal operation of oil and gas pipelines;
• Pipeline leak detection and monitoring technology;
• Pipeline digital twin technology and application;
• City gas pipeline integrity management technology.

This Topic aims to promote cross-media and interdisciplinary technological innovation and the exchange of engineering practices to systematically enhance the management level and operational efficiency of oil, gas, new energy, and CO₂ pipelines, support the low-carbon transition of the energy structure and CO₂ emission reduction targets, and facilitate safe, green, efficient and high-quality development of the pipeline industry.

Prof. Dr. Enbin Liu
Prof. Dr. Shanbi Peng
Prof. Dr. Hongfang Lu
Dr. Qikun Chen
Dr. Weibiao Qiao
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Sciences applsci	2.9	6.1	2011	15 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Energies energies	3.9	8.3	2008	16.7 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Fluids fluids	2.1	4.1	2016	17 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Modelling modelling	1.8	2.4	2020	22.7 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Processes processes	3.4	5.7	2013	14.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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All Applied Sciences Energies Fluids Modelling Processes

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23 pages, 2895 KB  

Open AccessArticle

A Hybrid Modelling and Simulation Framework for Energy-Efficient Operation of Heated Crude Oil Pipelines Under Small-Batch and Multi-Condition Operation

by Yi Guo, Chun Li, Yang Lv, Liuxiao Li, Yangfan Lu and Kai Wen

Modelling 2026, 7(3), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/modelling7030115 - 12 Jun 2026

Viewed by 562

Abstract

Heated crude oil pipelines transporting high-pour-point, high-viscosity, and high-wax-content crude oil are increasingly operated under small-batch and multi-condition scenarios. Under such conditions, fixed-parameter models and experience-based operating strategies may fail to accurately describe the evolving thermo-hydraulic state, resulting in inaccurate temperature-safety assessment and [...] Read more.

Heated crude oil pipelines transporting high-pour-point, high-viscosity, and high-wax-content crude oil are increasingly operated under small-batch and multi-condition scenarios. Under such conditions, fixed-parameter models and experience-based operating strategies may fail to accurately describe the evolving thermo-hydraulic state, resulting in inaccurate temperature-safety assessment and conservative energy use. To address this problem, this study develops a hybrid modelling and simulation framework for the energy-efficient operation of heated crude oil pipelines. The framework integrates operating-state perception, online parameter inversion, transient thermo-hydraulic simulation, data assimilation, and rolling optimization. First, an online parameter inversion method based on inverse problem solving is established to dynamically identify the overall heat-transfer coefficient and friction correction factor from Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) measurements. Second, a transient thermo-hydraulic simulation and data-assimilation model is constructed to predict pressure, temperature, and safety margins under changing boundary conditions. Third, a constraint-aware rolling optimization strategy is introduced to coordinate heating and pumping operations while satisfying temperature and pressure constraints. The proposed framework is validated using a practical crude oil pipeline. Under a representative low-flow-rate condition, online parameter inversion corrects the overestimation of the thermo-hydraulic state by the fixed-parameter model: the total temperature drop along the pipeline is revised from 33.12 °C to 35.65 °C, and the minimum station-inlet oil temperature is revised from 24.77 °C to 21.61 °C. After optimization is introduced, the total operating energy consumption decreases from 11,715.65 kW to 11,287.43 kW, corresponding to a reduction of 3.66%, while all temperature and pressure constraints remain satisfied. Under time-varying boundary conditions, the rolling optimization strategy further adjusts heating-furnace operation according to variations in inlet flow rate, inlet oil temperature, and ambient temperature, thereby reducing cumulative heating energy consumption while maintaining safe operation. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework provides an implementable modelling and simulation approach for online state assessment, transient prediction, and energy-efficient operation of heated crude oil pipelines under variable operating conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ammonia, Methanol, Oil and Gas Pipeline Network for Industrial Applications, 2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 4663 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Modeling and Analysis of Key Structural Parameters of Infrared Line Drawing Device for Oil and Gas Pipeline Cutting Operations

by Yong Chen, Ping Xiong and Ding Yang

Modelling 2026, 7(3), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/modelling7030093 - 14 May 2026

Viewed by 432

Abstract

To address the issues associated with traditional multi-point surveying processes in the dead-end cutting for oil and gas pipelines—such as cumbersome procedures, high error rates, lengthy emergency repair cycles, and difficulties in ensuring welding precision—an infrared line drawing device has been developed that [...] Read more.

To address the issues associated with traditional multi-point surveying processes in the dead-end cutting for oil and gas pipelines—such as cumbersome procedures, high error rates, lengthy emergency repair cycles, and difficulties in ensuring welding precision—an infrared line drawing device has been developed that enables rapid positioning, long-distance high-precision alignment, and accurate marking of cutting locations. This paper establishes mathematical models for the centering deflection mechanism and the marking mechanism, and derives theoretical solutions for key structural parameters. Thirteen finite element models were constructed using Abaqus to simulate operating conditions involving different pipe diameters and link lengths. A variance-based uniformity metric was employed to quantify structural stress stability, and optimal parameters were determined based on the principle that smaller variance indicates more uniform stress distribution and closer to ideal component service life. The results indicate that the optimal length of the three mounting bolts is 85 mm, with a maximum deflection angle of 9.25°, which meets the requirements. A spring extension of 5 mm for the marking pen can accommodate the compensation needs for marking on DN300 to DN500 pipes. An optimal set of connecting rod parameters across pipe diameters has been determined, with a 240 mm connecting rod capable of covering more than 75% of operating conditions. This device and its parameters are expected to contribute to first-pass compliance and reduce downtime, providing efficient and precise technical support for the maintenance and emergency repair of oil and gas pipelines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Ammonia, Methanol, Oil and Gas Pipeline Network for Industrial Applications, 2nd Edition)

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