Challenges in Distribution of ULSDObservations From Colonial Pipeline ULSD Test
Challenges in Distribution of ULSDObservations From Colonial Pipeline ULSD Test
Colonial Pipeline CompanyBuster Brown
January 26, 2005
Colonial Pipeline CompanyBuster Brown
January 26, 2005
2
TopicsTopics
• Colonial overview
• Highway and Non-Road sulfur specification
• Observations from ULSD test
• Potential pipeline issues
• Colonial overview
• Highway and Non-Road sulfur specification
• Observations from ULSD test
• Potential pipeline issues
3
Colonial Pipeline ProfileColonial Pipeline Profile
• 5,519 mile system from Houston to New York Harbor; operating since 1963
• Delivers more than 2.2 million bpd petroleum products from approximately 30 refineries to more than 250 terminals
• 20 percent of all U.S. liquid product delivered by pipeline are handled by Colonial
• 5,519 mile system from Houston to New York Harbor; operating since 1963
• Delivers more than 2.2 million bpd petroleum products from approximately 30 refineries to more than 250 terminals
• 20 percent of all U.S. liquid product delivered by pipeline are handled by Colonial
4* This figure is intended to illustrate the timeline for the final highway and nonroad diesel fuel sulfur control programs. It is not drawn to exact scale. Refer to 40 CFR Part 80 for specific program dates.
All Diesel
~3400 ppm
All Diesel
~3400 ppm
HighwayDiesel
500ppm
HighwayDiesel
500ppm
All Off-Highway Diesel~3400 ppm
All Off-Highway Diesel~3400 ppm
>80%15 ppm>80%
15 ppm
<20% 500 ppm<20% 500 ppm
AllHighway15 ppm
AllHighway15 ppm
10/199310/1993 06/200606/2006 01/201001/2010
Highway + Nonroad Diesel Fuel Sulfur Specs*Highway + Nonroad Diesel Fuel Sulfur Specs*
NR, L&M Diesel500 ppm
NR, L&M Diesel500 ppm
NR 15 ppmNR 15 ppm
6/20076/2007 6/20106/2010
HWYHWYNRNR
L&M 500ppmL&M
500ppm
6/20146/2014
HHF ~3400ppmHHF ~3400ppm
Small & Credit15 ppm
Small & Credit15 ppm
6/20126/2012
Small & Credit ~500
Small & Credit ~500
Small & Credit ~3400Small & Credit ~3400
HHF ~3400ppmHHF ~3400ppm
L&M 15ppm
5
Colonial Pipeline ULSD TestColonial Pipeline ULSD Test
Test Objective
• Determine capability to successfully move ULSD through existing pipeline system
• Use data to determine what physical and procedural modifications need to be made to ensure ability to transport ULSD
• Use test results to set sulfur specs at origins
Test Objective
• Determine capability to successfully move ULSD through existing pipeline system
• Use data to determine what physical and procedural modifications need to be made to ensure ability to transport ULSD
• Use test results to set sulfur specs at origins
6
ULSD Test DescriptionULSD Test Description
• 1st Batch 140,000 B• Destinations
• Birmingham, AL• Atlanta, GA• Nashville, TN• Macon, GA• Greensboro, NC
• 1st Batch 140,000 B• Destinations
• Birmingham, AL• Atlanta, GA• Nashville, TN• Macon, GA• Greensboro, NC
• 2nd Batch 144,000 B• Destinations
• Birmingham, AL• Atlanta, GA• Greensboro, NC• Baltimore, MD• New York Harbor
• 2nd Batch 144,000 B• Destinations
• Birmingham, AL• Atlanta, GA• Greensboro, NC• Baltimore, MD• New York Harbor
Both batches originated into 36” distillate mainline at Baton Rouge and distributed along system to
representative locations.
Both batches originated into 36” distillate mainline at Baton Rouge and distributed along system to
representative locations.
7
ULSD Test Description (continued)ULSD Test Description (continued)
• Multiple product sequences; Gasoline, high- and low-sulfur diesel and kerosine leading the ULSD test batches.
• Over 1500 samples analyzed.• Quantified trail-back of sulfur into ULSD batch
from adjacent products.• Quantified sulfur contamination from manifolds,
valves, dead segments, and high sulfur tank bottoms.
• Used special protective operating procedures for test batch.
• Multiple product sequences; Gasoline, high- and low-sulfur diesel and kerosine leading the ULSD test batches.
• Over 1500 samples analyzed.• Quantified trail-back of sulfur into ULSD batch
from adjacent products.• Quantified sulfur contamination from manifolds,
valves, dead segments, and high sulfur tank bottoms.
• Used special protective operating procedures for test batch.
8
ULSD Test Batch
Del
iver
y S
tub
lin
e
2nd
In
term
edia
te T
ankf
arm
2nd
Mai
nli
ne
Del
iver
y
1st
Inte
rmed
iate
Tan
kfar
m
2nd
Mai
nli
ne
Ori
gin
Mai
nli
ne
Ori
gin
Mai
nli
ne
Del
iver
y
Su
lfu
r (p
pm
) 15
11
19
9
ULSD Test ObservationsULSD Test Observations
• “Successful” movement through system with sulfur increase of 6-8 ppm
• Size of product interface at head-end of batch was 1.5x to 2x normal
• Tank farms resulted in largest contribution of sulfur increase
• Valve integrity, tank line, manifold and dead leg segments were primary sources of sulfur increase
• Sulfur analyzers are complex and difficult to maintain• Normal cutting procedures (gravity) may be ineffective.
Therefore need quick, accurate, on-line sulfur analyzers.
10
Test ConclusionsTest Conclusions
• Significant volume downgrade of ULSD (estimated to be 8% to 10% of total ULSD volume)
• Sulfur analysis equipment needs improvement
• Continued effort to understand and minimize tank farm issues
11
Sulfur SpecificationSulfur Specification
Potential ULSD Specification at Refinery Gate = 5-7 ppm
Downstream Enforcement Tolerance + 2 ppm
Test Method Reproducibility -4 ppm*
Legal Requirement 15 ppm
Transportation Degradation -6 to -8 ppm**
Formula for Developing Product Specification
* ASTM “round robin” results have a reproducibility range from 6-16 ppm.
PLUS
MINUS
MINUS
* *depending upon the number of tank farms
12
3rd PartyTank
Product Movement Refinery to End UserProduct Movement
Refinery to End UserAfter refining, products must be shipped from the refinery to terminals where it can be
loaded onto tanker trucks bound for gas stations, homes, businesses and airports.After refining, products must be shipped from the refinery to terminals where it can be
loaded onto tanker trucks bound for gas stations, homes, businesses and airports.
RefineryTank
Refinery ColonialIntermediate
Terminal Tank
StublineColonialOrigin
Terminal Tank
Third Party Pipeline
ColonialIntermediate
Mainline
ColonialOrigin
Mainline
Stubline
13
IdealReceive into Colonial 7Upstream transfer system 2Colonial improves from 6-8 5Downstream transfer system 2Reproducibility improves to 4 2TOTAL 18
Possible Colonial Sulfur SpecificationPossible Colonial Sulfur Specification
The specification is 17 ppm at retail.
If every step improves…If every step improves…
14
ULSD Pathforward for ColonialULSD Pathforward for Colonial
• Implement special operating procedures for ULSD handling.
• Evaluate construction of additional tanks and modify manifolds. - May require ULSD surcharge to existing diesel tariffs.
• Concern with upstream and downstream facilities handling.
• Work with customers to determine “appropriate, workable” specification at refinery gate.
• May not supply all diesel grades to all markets.
Q&AQ&A
Top Related