Effect Of Interface On The Quality Of Petroleum Product In Multi Purpose Pipeline System

Interface on petroleum product in multi-purpose pipeline system refers to as the zone of demarcation between two products where mixing occurs.  Generally, interface is a boundary layer, so the boundary between two products when they are pumped in succession is known as interface. In Nigeria Petroleum Industries like NNPC (PPMC) make use of multi-purpose pipeline system. This is where interface comes in petroleum products.  Interface as defined above plays a lot of economics importance in petroleum product in multi purpose pipeline system three main products were specifically considered in this research project which also were the main products in Nigerian petroleum, they are PMS, AGO and DPK. During the pumping of this products from refinery to depot station, they are not allowed to get in contact with each other because of lack of tolerance, due to this, they are pumped in successions and in-between two products in pipeline, interface solution comes into play the role of intermixing.

The main objective of this research project was to determine the effect of interface on the quality of products in multi-purpose pipeline.  Generally, interface if properly handled has no effect on the quality of petroleum products in multi-purpose because it is a product itself, but because of lack of proper handling, some effects are now uncounted.  The chief problem here is contamination, when interface is not properly handled, it results to the product, therefore the degree of this product was studied with distillation unit, flash point tester and hydrometer used to effect the degree.  The distillation unit was used for ASTM 36 test which confirm the products off or on.  Specification various classes of interface were analyzed, properties and factors affecting interface length were all considered.