Safety for people and the environment
Safety for people and the environment is ARG’s top priority. When operating the pipeline, the high requirements of legislators and licensing authorities are the benchmark for the route and safety of the pipeline. These requirements apply to any change, whether significant or not.
The pipeline may only be put into operation after numerous tests and inspections of the technical equipment have been completed. Approval is granted by independent experts such as TÜV Nord or TÜV Rheinland.
A control room in the Netherlands, staffed around the clock, ensures operational safety. From there, the pipeline is constantly monitored using state-of-the-art technology. In the unlikely event of a leak, remote-controlled shut-off stations ensure that ethylene escape is minimised. The barrier stations are located at intervals of 3 to 18 kilometres along the 495-kilometre route. In addition to modern safety technology, regular checks, flights and inspections of the route ensure trouble-free and safe operation. Potential external influences, such as construction work near the route, are identified at an early stage and, if necessary, accompanied by the necessary safety measures on site.
The line is regularly flown over along its entire length and observed by means of route inspections. Potential external influences, such as construction work near the route, are identified at an early stage and, if necessary, accompanied by the necessary safety measures on site.
Furthermore, the ARG’s transmission network is continuously monitored by a process control system. Every few seconds, the relevant data from all connected devices, as well as pressure and temperature changes at the approximately 90 remote-controlled shut-off stations in the network, are transmitted to the central control room and continuously evaluated in a leak detection and location system. The central control room is staffed around the clock by highly qualified operators who respond immediately to any changes in the operating status of the pipeline network. In addition, a 24-hour on-call service is available to carry out checks or take action on site at any time.
Environment and health come first
Pipelines are the most environmentally friendly and safest way to transport large quantities of ethylene. The amount of ethylene that can be transported annually through the ARG pipeline system corresponds to up to 2.3 million truck journeys on European roads.
The route and operation of the ethylene pipeline are subject to the highest requirements imposed by legislators, licensing authorities and the public, and these are implemented by the operator. The pipeline cannot be affected by environmental factors or events such as flooding. The installed safety concept, which is constantly monitored by a control centre using the latest technology, also rules out any impact on people and the environment.
The piping system is emission-free and the ethylene is transported with very low energy consumption. In order to minimise disruption to existing structures, the ARG pipeline runs alongside other existing pipelines over long stretches. This route and an environmentally friendly approach to repairs and modifications will minimise disruption to nature and the landscape. It was built in such a way that neither the soil nor the water is contaminated.
Ethylene is produced in refineries by thermal cracking, particularly of the petroleum product naphtha. Ethylene (ethene) also occurs naturally (in plants, etc.) and in relation to fruit and vegetables.