L51537 Power Line Fault Current Coupling to Nearby Natural Gas Pipelines

Electric and natural gas utilities often find it advantageous to share rights-of-way. Available methods for evaluating electrical effects on gas pipelines have been difficult to use at best, and at worst, incorrect. A generalized approach that addresses inductive and conductive interferences has not been available. Initiated to fill that need, this work is part of a research effort cosponsored by EPRI and the Pipe Line Research Council International, Inc. (PRCI)

 A generalized approach to the analysis of the effects of transmission line faults on natural gas transmission pipelines has been developed and is presented in this report. A state of the art user-friendly computational tool has been developed and verified for the analysis of interference between electrical power lines and nearby buried or aboveground pipelines. This computer program, ECCAPP, is distinguished by its ability to model and analyze accurately complex, realistic interactions between pipelines and power lines, using easily obtained input data. The final report consists of three volumes. An independent fourth volume was also developed to simplify the installation of the ECCAPP software.Volume 1 contains the theory upon which the ECCAPP computer program is based. A parametric analysis and graphical charts have been formulated using ECCAPP to permit estimates to be made in the field or during preliminary analyses for situations that are not too complex. A discussion of various useful mitigation methods is included. The discussion is based on previous research work and on the results of the parametric analysis.Volume 2 is a detailed user’s manual which describes not only how to use the program itself, but also which engineering data must be sought during an analysis and how to assimilate it into a computer model. A detailed sample problem is included. A detailed Glossary of Terms” used by ECCAPP as well as suitable input data forms to be filled by power line and pipeline engineers are provided in the appendices.Volume 3 discusses the modeling and performance of pipeline insulation or coating.

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