Project Description

In many locations the U.S Navy receives, stores and transports jet fuel to Air Force Bases utilizing underground pipelines. The project location’s infrastructure includes three low pressure pipelines that run from storage tanks to a fixed pump house where the fuel is then transferred to the Air Force Base through two high pressure pipelines. If the pump house becomes non-operational, the transportation of fuel would be disrupted. To ensure a sustained flow of fuel, our team designed a backup system consisting of portable pumps and preinstalled connections to bypass the pump house. Before designing the new system, our team researched piping components such as valves, flanges, pipe fittings and valve pits as well as existing distribution systems for gas, water, and other utilities. Our primary focus was to design a system that will withstand high pressures, require short assembly times, and incorporate portable pumps. Through brainstorming and the use of fluid mechanics principles, the team settled on a piping design composed of permanent and portable sections allowing for rapid simplistic installation. The permanent section is composed of valves, piping and connections integrated into the current high and low pressure pipelines. The portable components consist of two mobile pumps to connect to the designed integral connections. Our design provides a usable backup system for the Navy that could also be transitioned to the private sector and major industries requiring reliable water and fuel transportation.