PIPELINES
Surprisingly, Pipelines are also one of the major form of transportation medium throughout the world. In 1989, in USA over 53% of all crude and petroleum ton-mile movements were through Pipelines.
In addition to Petroleum, other important product transported by pipeline is the natural gas. Pipelines are owned and operated privately in most of the countries and many gas companies act as both gas distributors and contract transportation providers. Pipelines are also utilized for transport of manufacturing chemicals, pulverized dry bulk materials such as cement, flour via hydraulic suspension, and sewage and water within cities and municipalities.
Pipelines are very unique in nature compared to other types of transport, such as; they operate on 24-hour basis, seven days a week, and are limited by commodity changeover and maintenance. Unlike other modes, there is no empty “Container” or “vehicle” that must be returned.
Pipelines have highest fixed cost and lowest variable cost among transport modes. High fixed costs result from right-of-way, construction and requirements for control stations, and pumping capacity. Since pipelines are not labour-intensive, the variable operating cost is extremely low once the pipeline has been constructed. An obvious disadvantage of these pipelines is that they are not flexible and are limited with respect to commodities that can be transported.
Experiments regarding transport of solid products are still going on. Coal slurry pipelines are proving to be economical over long distances but it concerns environmentalists, as it requires massive quantities of water.
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