Study on Current Practices,Technologies,Problems,and Recommendations Relating to the Overall Safety of Gas Pipeline Distribution Systems.

摘要

The study provides an overall assessment of the safety of natural gas distribution systems and the measures being promoted or in use to increase safety. The report summerizes data collected by the Office of Pipeline Safety Operations (OPSO) and the results of OPSO sponsored studies and other research intended to improve the safety of specific gas distribution problems. The report focuses on several problem areas identified as important from a safety standpoint and formulates conclusions and recommendations based on previous work and research currently underway. Techniques employed included a wide literature survey,review of leakage data,and fault tree analysis. The main topics in the report relate to gas distribution pipeline system inspection and assessment,corrosion,outside force damage, odorization,plastic pipe usage,emergency plans,valving and rapid shutdown,and master metering. Results include findings,conclusions,and recommendations for increasing gas system safety for each topic.