Use the following text about the proposed reversal of Line 9 to carry "dilbit" or diluted bitumen (bitumen is the crude
Posted: Mon May 16, 2022 1:52 pm
Use the following text about the proposed reversal of Line 9 to
carry "dilbit" or diluted bitumen (bitumen is the crude oil product
of the Alberta oil sands), to help you answer the next
questions.
Text is annotated
from http://www.desmog.ca/2013/10/21/pipelin ... ure-dilbit
Richard Kuprewicz, a pipeline safety expert with over forty
years of experience in the energy sector, examined Enbridge's
assessments of Line 9 [Line 9 passes through Toronto as well as
several other major cities and sensitive natural areas, like the
St. Lawrence Seaway] and found evidence of extensive stress
corrosion cracking (SCC) on Line 9. The SCC was most likely caused
by the pipeline's external protective coating (polyethylene tape or
PE-tape) separating from the sections of Line 9, allowing water to
damage the pipe.
He stated that Kalamazoo, Michigan dilbit (diluted bitumen)
spill – the largest onshore oil spill in US history – was likely
caused by the disbondment of PE-tape on Enbridge's Line 6B pipeline
and that subsequent SCC on the pipe caused the rupture. Three
million litres of dilbit were spilled into the Kalamazoo River and
the surrounding waterways, and the $1 billion cleanup continues to
this day.
1. Explain how the disbondment of the PE-tape has led to
corrosion. (1 mark)
2. State a better corrosion prevention for a
pipeline. (1 mark)
2. Make and support recommendations about running dilbit
(diluted bitumen) through Line 9. Make connections to at least 2 of
society, the economy and the environment. For full marks make sure
you have links to at least one other unit in your
answer. (4 marks)
carry "dilbit" or diluted bitumen (bitumen is the crude oil product
of the Alberta oil sands), to help you answer the next
questions.
Text is annotated
from http://www.desmog.ca/2013/10/21/pipelin ... ure-dilbit
Richard Kuprewicz, a pipeline safety expert with over forty
years of experience in the energy sector, examined Enbridge's
assessments of Line 9 [Line 9 passes through Toronto as well as
several other major cities and sensitive natural areas, like the
St. Lawrence Seaway] and found evidence of extensive stress
corrosion cracking (SCC) on Line 9. The SCC was most likely caused
by the pipeline's external protective coating (polyethylene tape or
PE-tape) separating from the sections of Line 9, allowing water to
damage the pipe.
He stated that Kalamazoo, Michigan dilbit (diluted bitumen)
spill – the largest onshore oil spill in US history – was likely
caused by the disbondment of PE-tape on Enbridge's Line 6B pipeline
and that subsequent SCC on the pipe caused the rupture. Three
million litres of dilbit were spilled into the Kalamazoo River and
the surrounding waterways, and the $1 billion cleanup continues to
this day.
1. Explain how the disbondment of the PE-tape has led to
corrosion. (1 mark)
2. State a better corrosion prevention for a
pipeline. (1 mark)
2. Make and support recommendations about running dilbit
(diluted bitumen) through Line 9. Make connections to at least 2 of
society, the economy and the environment. For full marks make sure
you have links to at least one other unit in your
answer. (4 marks)