PIPELINES SAFETY IMPROVEMENT THROUGH CONTROLLING RODENTS

摘要

Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel in the world and is the most valuable source of energy in our time. As a green energy, it is obvious that the production, transmission, distribution and consumption of natural gas contribute to getting to the level of sustainable supply and demand. One of the major challenges in the gas industry in regard to transmission process is the question of pipeline safety and extensive research is undertaken to optimize the safety issues through implementing new techniques. In recent years, it is reported that polyethylene pipes with diameter of 25 mm are attacked and damaged by rodents. To tackle with this problem a plan was purposed in accordance to ecological rodent management measures. The plan aimed at combining basic and applied research on rodents control in order to provide protection to the gas pipelines. In this survey, after identification of the rodents' species, a risk map was drawn and different methods from the application of physical barriers to using repellents were examined. Results showed that meshes, stones and a couple of different natural based masterbatches as repellents could reduce the damage. The findings of the study showed that there is a need for the review of the polyethylene pipelines installation guidelines.