Systems and Methods for Decreasing Abrasive Wear in a Pipeline that is Configured to Transfer a Slurry

Systems and methods for decreasing abrasive wear in a pipeline that is configured to transfer a slurry that includes a liquid and solid particles. The pipeline includes a pipe that defines a pipeline conduit and an energy dissipation layer that is within the pipeline conduit and through which a portion of the slurry flows. The slurry may flow at high velocity and/or with high turbulence, and it may contain hydrocarbons. The systems and methods may include an energy dissipation layer to decrease the kinetic energy of a buffer portion of the slurry that flows through the energy dissipation layer relative to the kinetic energy of a central portion of the slurry that flows through a central region of the pipe. This decrease in the kinetic energy of the buffer portion of the slurry may decrease abrasion of the pipe by the slurry.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed generally to systems and methods for transferring a slurry within a pipeline, and more particularly to systems and methods that include an energy dissipation layer to decrease abrasive wear of the pipeline by the slurry.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Slurries, which are mixtures of a liquid and solid particles, may be present and/or utilized in a variety of industrial processes. Often, it may be desirable to transfer and/or convey the slurry between a first location and a second location as part of the industrial process. This transfer may be accomplished in a variety of ways, such as through the use of conveyor belts, trucking equipment, and/or pipelines. Conveyor belts and/or trucking equipment may be inefficient at transferring a slurry due to the complicated nature of the required systems, loss of slurry material during transport, drying of the slurry during transport, wear of mechanical components, environmental/geographical constraints, and/or high fuel and/or energy costs.

Pipelines, while generally more efficient, often suffer from abrasive wear due to physical and/or chemical interactions between the inner surface of the pipeline and the slurry. This may result in high equipment and/or labor costs, as well as significant down time that may be associated with regular repair and/or replacement of the pipeline. These abrasive wear effects are especially pronounced when a pipeline is utilized to transfer a slurry that includes a high solids content, to transfer a slurry at a high flow rate, and/or to transfer a slurry under turbulent flow conditions.

As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, an oil sands mining operation may utilize a pipeline to transfer a slurry between a mine site and an ore processing facility, where the oil and/or bitumen that is present within the oil sands may be separated from the remaining components of the slurry. Under these conditions, the pipeline may serve as both a conveyance, which may transfer the slurry for several kilometers, as well as mixing vessel, which may provide for thorough mixing of the slurry components, and/or separation of the oil and/or bitumen that is present within the slurry from the solid particles, while the slurry flows from the mine site to the ore processing facility.

To affect both rapid transport of the slurry and effective mixing of the slurry components, the slurry may flow through the pipeline at a high average velocity, or flow rate, and/or under turbulent flow conditions. These high flow rates may cause rapid erosion of the pipeline, especially at the bottom surface, where gravitational forces may concentrate the solid particles within the slurry. This wear decreases the service life of the pipeline and increases the costs associated with transferring the slurry. Thus, there exists a need for improved pipelines and/or pipeline assemblies that may resist the abrasive wear that may be caused by the flow of a slurry therethrough.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Systems and methods for decreasing abrasive wear in a pipeline that is configured to transfer a slurry that includes a liquid and solid particles. The pipeline includes a pipe, which defines a pipeline conduit, and an energy dissipation layer that is within the pipeline conduit and through which a portion of the slurry flows. The systems and methods may include the use of the energy dissipation layer to decrease the kinetic energy of a buffer portion of the slurry that flows through the energy dissipation layer relative to the kinetic energy of a central portion of the slurry that flows through a central region of the pipe. This decrease in the kinetic energy of the buffer portion of the slurry may decrease abrasion of the pipe by the slurry.

In some embodiments, the energy dissipation layer may be configured to decrease the kinetic energy of the buffer portion of the slurry while providing for at least substantially unoccluded and/or unimpeded flow of the central portion of the slurry. In some embodiments, the energy dissipation layer may be configured to decrease the kinetic energy of the buffer portion of the slurry while providing for flow of the buffer portion therethrough.

In some embodiments, the energy dissipation layer may include a porous structure that is configured to absorb a portion of the kinetic energy from the buffer portion of the slurry. In some embodiments, the porous structure includes a high porosity. In some embodiments, an average pore throat diameter of the porous structure is significantly larger than an average diameter of the solid particles.

In some embodiments, the energy dissipation layer and the pipe may form a composite structure. In some embodiments, the energy dissipation layer and the pipe may form a monolithic structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIGS. 1-7provide illustrative, non-exclusive examples of pipelines12according to the present disclosure, as well as slurry processing systems10and/or hydrocarbon processing systems8that may utilize the pipelines. Elements that serve a similar, or at least substantially similar, purpose are labeled with like numbers in each ofFIGS. 1-7; and these elements may not be discussed in detail herein with reference to each ofFIGS. 1-7. Similarly, all elements may not be labeled in each ofFIGS. 1-7, but the reference numerals associated therewith may still be utilized herein for consistency. In general, elements that are likely to be included in a given embodiment are shown in solid lines, while elements that are optional are shown in dashed lines. However, elements that are shown in solid lines are not essential to all embodiments, and it is within the scope of the present disclosure that an element shown in solid lines may be omitted from a particular embodiment.

FIG. 1is a schematic representation of illustrative, non-exclusive examples of a slurry processing system10that may utilize a pipeline12according to the present disclosure to transfer, or convey, a slurry40including a liquid50and solid particles60between a first location80and a second location82, and/or between the second location and a third location84. Pipeline12includes a pipe14that may be formed from one or more interconnected segments18, as well as an energy dissipation layer30, which is discussed in more detail herein with reference toFIGS. 2-7. Accordingly, pipe14may additionally or alternatively be referred to herein as a pipe assembly, and segments18may additionally or alternatively be referred to as pipe segments.

Pipeline12may be used in any suitable process where it may be desirable to transfer slurry40between two or more locations. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, slurry processing system10may be and/or form a portion of a hydrocarbon processing system8that is configured to transfer and/or process a hydrocarbon52. As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, when slurry processing system10forms a portion of hydrocarbon processing system8, first location80may include and/or be a mine site86, which also may be referred to herein as a hydrocarbon mine86, that is configured to provide slurry40to pipeline12; second location82may include and/or be a processing plant88, which also may be referred to herein as an ore processing facility88and/or a hydrocarbon ore processing facility and which is configured to separate hydrocarbon52from the other components of slurry40; and third location84may include and/or be a tailings disposal site90, which also may be referred to herein as a tailings pond90, which may be configured to dispose of, store, and/or otherwise process mine tailings89that may be generated by processing plant88.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that pipeline12, first location80, second location82, and/or third location84may include, and/or be in communication with, any suitable process equipment85that may be configured to mine, produce, process, and/or transfer slurry40. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of process equipment85according to the present disclosure include any suitable pump, compressor, conveyor, auger, fluid conduit, valve, mixer, screen, filter, grinder, solid/liquid separation apparatus, liquid/gas separation apparatus, fluid injection system, chemical injection system, and/or slurry storage system.

Slurry processing system10may include one or more transition regions16, within which a flow characteristic of slurry40changes. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of transition regions16according to the present disclosure include entrance regions, in which slurry40enters pipeline12; exit regions, in which slurry40exits pipeline12; and/or bend regions, in which an average aggregate flow direction of slurry40changes.

Pipe14, which also may be referred to herein as body14, solid14, and/or solid body14, may include any suitable structure that is configured to define and/or form a pipeline conduit20that may hold, contain, surround, convey, and/or transfer slurry40. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, pipe14may include a metallic pipe and/or a cylindrical metallic pipe.

Solid particles60may comprise any suitable portion, fraction, and/or percentage of slurry40. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, solid particles60may comprise at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, at least 40, at least 45, at least 50, or at least 55 volume percent of slurry40. Additionally or alternatively, solid particles60may comprise less than 70, less than 65, less than 60, less than 55, less than 50, less than 45, or less than 40 volume percent of the slurry.

When slurry40includes hydrocarbon52, hydrocarbon52may include at least one or more liquid hydrocarbons. In addition, hydrocarbon52may comprise any suitable proportion, fraction, and/or percentage of slurry40. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, hydrocarbon52may comprise at least 0.25, at least 0.5, at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, or at least 35 volume percent of the slurry. Additionally or alternatively, hydrocarbon52may comprise less than 50, less than 45, less than 40, less than 35, less than 30, less than 25, less than 20, less than 15, less than 10, or less than 5 volume percent of the slurry.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that slurry40may include one or more additional components54. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, additional component54may include and/or be a separation-enhancing component. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of separation-enhancing components according to the present disclosure include a caustic material, a caustic soda, sodium hydroxide, and/or naphthalic acid.

Slurry40may flow in and/or be conveyed through pipeline12under any suitable flow conditions. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, at least a turbulent flow portion of slurry40may flow through pipeline12under turbulent flow conditions. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of the turbulent flow portion of slurry40may include at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of a total volume of the slurry that is within pipeline12. Additionally or alternatively, the turbulent flow portion of slurry40may include less than 99.9%, less than 99.5%, less than 99%, less than 97.5%, less than 95%, less than 90%, less than 85%, less than 80%, or less than 75% of the total volume of the slurry.

As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, slurry40may flow through pipeline12with any suitable average slurry flow rate and/or average slurry flow velocity. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of average slurry flow velocities according to the present disclosure include average slurry flow velocities of at least 0.5, at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, or at least 7 meters per second. Additionally or alternatively, the average slurry flow velocity may be less than 10, less than 7, less than 6, less than 5, less than 4, less than 3, less than 2, or less than 1 meters per second.

FIG. 2is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of illustrative, non-exclusive examples of pipeline12ofFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 2, pipeline12includes pipe14, which includes inner surface28that defines, surrounds, and/or otherwise delineates pipeline conduit20through which slurry40flows. As also shown inFIG. 2, energy dissipation layer30may be proximal to inner surface28of pipe14and may bound, surround, define, and/or otherwise delineate at least a portion of a central region42of pipeline conduit20Inner surface28of pipe14may additionally or alternatively be referenced to herein as the inner circumference28of pipe14.

As used herein, the term “proximal” may mean that the energy dissipation layer is close to, in mechanical contact with, attached to, and/or within a threshold separation distance of the inner surface of pipe14. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of threshold separation distances according to the present disclosure include threshold separation distances that are less than 10%, less than 7.5%, less than 5%, less than 4%, less than 3%, less than 2%, less than 1%, less than 0.5%, less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01% of an internal diameter of pipe14.

Central region42of pipeline conduit20, which also may be referred to herein as an axial region42, a longitudinally extending region42, and/or a central region that extends longitudinally from an entrance of the pipeline to an exit of the pipeline, may include any suitable portion of pipeline conduit20that is bounded, at least partially, by energy dissipation layer30. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, central region42may include the turbulent flow portion of slurry40. As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, pipeline conduit20may include and/or contain energy dissipation layer30, as well as a remainder of the pipeline conduit that does not contain the energy dissipation layer, and central region42may include a portion, a majority, and/or all of the remainder of the pipeline conduit.

Slurry40may include a central portion44that flows through central region42of pipeline conduit20, as well as a buffer portion70that flows through energy dissipation layer30. Central portion44of slurry40may flow through central region42of the pipeline conduit with an average velocity46and/or an average volumetric flow rate46, which also may be referred to herein as an average central portion velocity46and/or an average central portion volumetric flow rate46, that is different from, or greater than, an average velocity48and/or an average volumetric flow rate48of buffer portion70, which also may be referred to herein as an average buffer portion velocity48and/or an average buffer portion volumetric flow rate48. Thus, energy dissipation layer30may be configured to decrease the kinetic energy of buffer portion70, while providing for unoccluded, or at least substantially unoccluded or unimpeded, flow of central portion44of slurry40through central region42of pipeline conduit12.

As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, energy dissipation layer30may be configured to decrease an average velocity of buffer portion70, an average velocity of solid particles60that may be present within buffer portion70, the average volumetric flow rate48of buffer portion70, and/or turbulence within the flow of buffer portion70when compared to central portion44. As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, energy dissipation layer30may be configured to decrease the kinetic energy of the buffer portion while still providing for flow of the buffer portion through at least portions, if not all, of the energy dissipation layer. This may include decreasing the kinetic energy of the buffer portion without blocking, occluding, and/or stopping the flow of the buffer portion therethrough and/or without trapping a significant fraction of the buffer portion within the energy dissipation layer. For example, energy dissipation layer30may be configured to slow or otherwise decrease the kinetic energy of buffer portion70of the slurry while still permitting the buffer portion to flow through the energy dissipation layer and thus without trapping or retaining the buffer portion of the slurry (including the solid particles thereof) in the energy dissipation layer. As yet another illustrative, non-exclusive example, energy dissipation layer30may be configured to decrease a rate at which slurry40erodes pipe14and/or inner surface28thereof. This may include decreasing the erosion rate without substantially decreasing average velocity46and/or average volumetric flow rate46of central portion44.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that energy dissipation layer30may include and/or be a compliant and/or resilient structure. When the energy dissipation layer includes such a compliant and/or resilient structure, the energy dissipation layer may be configured to bend, flex, and/or otherwise resiliently and/or reversibly deform responsive to mechanical and/or fluid contact between the energy dissipation layer and the slurry and/or responsive to flow of the slurry therepast.

It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that energy dissipation layer30may be, include, and/or be referred to as a means for reducing average velocity48and/or average volumetric flow rate48of buffer portion70. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the means for reducing may be configured to decrease average velocity48and/or average volumetric flow rate48relative to an average velocity and/or an average volumetric flow rate through a similar pipeline that includes a similar pipeline conduit and/or a similar pipe but does not include the means for reducing.

Energy dissipation layer30may include and/or be any suitable material and/or structure that is configured to create buffer portion70and/or to decrease the kinetic energy thereof. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the energy dissipation layer may include a plurality of flow obstructions160. As discussed in more detail herein, the plurality of flow obstructions may be configured to create buffer portion70and/or to decrease the kinetic energy thereof without trapping, blocking, stopping, and/or occluding flow of the buffer portion through (at least a portion, if not a majority portion, or even all or substantially all of) the energy dissipation layer. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of flow obstructions160according to the present disclosure include any suitable array of extruded (or otherwise formed) honeycomb or other geometric tubes; porous and/or hollow-faced lattices; hollow-faced, non-right-angle cuboids; a plurality of radially aligned spikes; a plurality of interconnected, radially aligned spikes; a plurality of wires; a network of intertwined wires; a network of unconnected but intertwined wires; wire mesh; wire fencing; chain link fencing; expanded metal; and/or wire cloth.

As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, energy dissipation layer30and/or flow obstructions160thereof may include and/or be referred to as a porous structure162that may include any suitable porosity. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of porous structures according to the present disclosure include any suitable extruded structure, honeycomb, foam, porous foam, open-cell foam, ceramic, porous ceramic, sintered structure, periodic structure, and/or repeating structure. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of porosities according to the present disclosure include porosities of at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or at least 99.9%, as well as porosities of less than 100%, less than 99.9%, less than 90%, less than 98%, less than 97%, less than 96%, or less than 95%.

When energy dissipation layer30includes porous structure162, the porous structure may include a plurality of pores164. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that pores164may include interconnected pores, which may be in fluid communication with one another, and/or isolated pores, which may not be in fluid communication with one another; and that the isolated pores may comprise any suitable portion, or fraction, of the plurality of pores. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, the isolated pores may comprise less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, or none of the plurality of pores. Likewise, the interconnected pores may comprise at least 50%, at least 75% at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, and all of the plurality of pores.

The plurality of pores164of porous structure162, when present, may include a plurality of pore throats, or openings, therebetween. The plurality of pore throats may define an average pore throat diameter, which also may be referred to herein as an average equivalent pore throat diameter. When the plurality of pore throats include circular, or at least substantially circular, pore throats, the average pore throat diameter may include an average diameter of the pore throats. Additionally or alternatively, and when the pore throats include non-circular pore throats, the average equivalent pore throat diameter may include the diameter of a circle that has the same area as an average pore throat area.

Similarly, solid particles60of slurry40may define an average particle diameter and/or an average equivalent particle diameter. When the solid particles include spherical, or at least substantially spherical, solid particles, the average particle diameter may be determined based upon the average diameter of the solid particles. Additionally or alternatively, and when the solid particles include non-spherical solid particles, the average equivalent particle diameter may be determined based upon the diameter of a circle that the same area as an average representative cross-sectional area of the plurality of particles. An illustrative, non-exclusive example of the average representative cross-sectional area of the plurality of particles includes an average maximum cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of particles.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the average pore throat diameter may be selected, chosen, defined, and/or fabricated based, at least in part, on the average solid particle diameter. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the average pore throat diameter may be selected to be greater than the average solid particle diameter. This may include average pore throat diameters that are at least 2, at least 5, at least 10, at least 20, at least 25, at least 50, at least 75, at least 100, at least 150, at least 200, at least 250, or at least 500 times larger than the average solid particle diameter. Additionally or alternatively, the average pore throat diameter may be selected to be greater than 50, greater than 250, greater than 1,000, greater than 2,000, greater than 5,000, or greater than 20,000 micrometers.

As used herein, the term “porous structure” may include any suitable structure for energy dissipation layer30that may include and/or define both solid regions and open, or void, regions. Each of the illustrative, non-exclusive examples of energy dissipation layers30that are disclosed herein also may be referred to herein as porous structure and/or may be considered to include a porosity.

As used herein, the term “porosity” may refer to a ratio of a volume of the open, or void, regions of the porous structure to the total volume of the porous structure. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the porosity of any suitable energy dissipation layer30, including the energy dissipation layers that are discussed in more detail herein, may be defined as a ratio of the volume of the void space within the energy dissipation layer that may provide for flow of buffer portion70therethrough to the total volume of the energy dissipation layer. In the illustrative, non-exclusive example ofFIG. 2, this porosity may include and/or be approximated as a ratio of the volume of buffer portion70that is present within energy dissipation layer30to the overall volume of the annular region that is defined by the energy dissipation layer.

Energy dissipation layer30may be present within any suitable portion, fraction, and/or percentage of pipeline12and/or pipe14thereof. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the energy dissipation layer may extend around a portion of an internal circumference (or inner surface)28of pipe14. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the portion of the internal circumference may include a bottom surface of the pipeline conduit. Additionally or alternatively, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the portion of the circumference may include a majority, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or the entire internal circumference of the pipe. When the energy dissipation layer extends around the entire internal circumference of the pipe, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the energy dissipation layer may be uniform, or at least substantially uniform, around the internal circumference of the pipe.

As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, the energy dissipation layer may extend along any suitable portion, fraction, and/or percentage of a length of pipeline12and/or pipe14thereof. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, the energy dissipation layer may extend along a majority, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or an entire length of pipeline12. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of lengths of pipeline12and/or pipe14according to the present disclosure include lengths of at least 0.1 kilometers, at least 0.5 kilometers, at least 1 kilometer, at least 2 kilometers, at least 3 kilometers, at least 4 kilometers, at least 5 kilometers, at least 7.5 kilometers, at least 10 kilometers, at least 15 kilometers, at least 25 kilometers, or at least 50 kilometers.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that energy dissipation layer30may be uniform, the same, or at least substantially the same, throughout the length of pipeline12. However, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that one or more transition regions16(as shown inFIG. 1) may include a transition region energy dissipation layer that is different from a remainder of the energy dissipation layer that is present within pipeline12. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the transition region energy dissipation layer may include a different thickness, a greater thickness, a different material of construction, and/or a different porosity than the remainder of the energy dissipation layer. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of energy dissipation layer thicknesses, materials of construction, and porosities are discussed in more detail herein.

Energy dissipation layer30may be incorporated into pipeline12in any suitable manner. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, pipe14and energy dissipation layer30may form a composite structure. When pipe14and energy dissipation layer30form a composite structure, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that energy dissipation layer30may be formed within the pipe and/or applied to inner surface28of the pipe, with such an energy dissipation layer30being indicated generally at100. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, such an energy dissipation layer100may be coated and/or sprayed onto the inner surface of the pipe. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of energy dissipation layers100according to the present disclosure include any suitable porous layer, foam, porous foam, coating, abrasion-resistant layer, and/or corrosion-resistant layer.

Additionally or alternatively, and when pipe14and energy dissipation layer30form a composite structure, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that energy dissipation layer30may be fabricated separately from the pipe and placed, slid, or otherwise inserted within the pipeline conduit during assembly of the pipeline, as indicated generally at120. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of such energy dissipation layers120according to the present disclosure include any suitable foam, porous foam, ceramic material, porous ceramic, expanded metal, wire cloth, metallic material, polymeric material, high manganese steel structure, composite material, extruded structure, honeycomb, sintered structure, and/or periodic, or repeating, structure.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that energy dissipation layer120may not be affixed, or attached, to the pipe and/or to inner surface28thereof. Additionally or alternatively, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that energy dissipation layer120may be operatively attached to inner surface28using any suitable mechanism and/or attachment structure126, illustrative, non-exclusive examples of which include an adhesive, an adhesive bond, an epoxy, a weld, a braze, a friction fit, and/or a fastener.

When energy dissipation layer30is separately formed from pipe14, such as energy dissipation layer100and/or energy dissipation layer120, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that an outer diameter of energy dissipation layer30may be less than or equal to an inner diameter of pipe14. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the outer diameter of energy dissipation layer30may be within 10%, 7.5%, 5%, 2.5%, or 1% of the inner diameter of pipe14.

It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that energy dissipation layer30and pipe14may include, form, and/or be a monolithic structure wherein the energy dissipation layer is formed from the pipe, as indicated generally at140. When the energy dissipation layer and the pipe form a monolithic structure, energy dissipation layer30may be formed within pipe14in any suitable manner and/or using any suitable process, illustrative, non-exclusive examples of which include cutting, etching, and/or machining to remove material from pipe14, to remove material from inner surface28of pipe14, and/or to form inner surface28of pipe14.

Buffer portion70of slurry40may include any suitable fraction, or percentage, of the slurry. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, pipeline12may include a total volume of slurry therein, and buffer portion70may include less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 12.5%, less than 10%, less than 7.5%, less than 5%, or less than 2% of the total volume of slurry. Additionally or alternatively, the buffer portion may include at least 1%, at least 2.5%, at least 5%, at least 7.5%, or at least 10% of the total volume of the slurry.

As discussed in more detail herein, energy dissipation layer30may be configured to decrease buffer portion average velocity and/or buffer portion average volumetric flow rate48relative to central portion average velocity and/or central portion average volumetric flow rate46, such as by a reduction fraction. As used herein, a reduction fraction refers to a percentage of the central portion value. For example, reducing the central portion average velocity by a reduction fraction of 0.8 will result in a buffer portion average velocity that is 80% of the central portion average velocity. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of reduction fractions according to the present disclosure include reduction fractions that are at least 0.2, at least 0.3, at least 0.4, at least 0.5, at least 0.6, at least 0.7, at least 0.75, at least 0.8, at least 0.85, at least 0.9, at least 0.92, at least 0.94, at least 0.96, at least 0.98, or at least 0.99, as well as reduction fractions that are less than 0.995, less than 0.99, less than 0.95, less than 0.9, less than 0.8, less than 0.7, less than 0.6, less than 0.5, or less than 0.4. Additionally or alternatively, the buffer portion average velocity and/or the buffer portion average volumetric flow rate may be less than 1%, less than 5%, less than 10%, less than 20%, less than 30%, less than 40%, less than 50%, less than 60%, less than 70%, less than 80%, less than 90%, or less than 95%, and/or at least 0.1%, at least 1%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, or at least 70% of an average overall velocity and/or an average overall volumetric flow rate of the slurry within the pipeline.

As discussed in more detail herein, slurry40may include solid particles60. A portion of the solid particles may be present within central portion44of the slurry, and a portion of the solid particles may be present within buffer portion70of the slurry. Buffer portion70, which as discussed herein is slowed as it flows through energy dissipation layer30, may be configured to reduce the kinetic energy of an impinging solid particle62that enters the buffer portion from central region42of pipeline conduit20and/or from central portion44of slurry40. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the buffer portion may be configured to absorb a portion of the kinetic energy of the impinging solid particle. As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, the buffer portion may be configured to absorb the portion of the kinetic energy of the impinging solid particle without substantial, or any, wear to the pipe and/or to the energy dissipation layer.

FIG. 3is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of illustrative, non-exclusive examples of pipeline12ofFIGS. 1 and 2. As shown inFIG. 3, pipe14may include an inner, or internal, diameter22and an outer diameter24that may define a pipe wall thickness26, which also may be referred to herein as pipe radial thickness26. Similarly, energy dissipation layer30may include an inner, or internal, diameter32and an outer diameter34that may define an energy dissipation layer thickness36, which also may be referred to herein as energy dissipation layer wall thickness36and/or energy dissipation layer radial thickness36. When pipe14and/or energy dissipation layer30includes a circular, or annular, cross-sectional shape, the above-discussed diameters22,24,32, and34may be utilized to define and/or describe the cross-sectional shape. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that pipe14and/or energy dissipation layer30may include any suitable cross-sectional shape, including non-circular and/or non-annular cross-sectional shapes. When pipe14and/or energy dissipation layer30includes a non-circular and/or non-annular cross-sectional shape, inner diameter22also may be referred to herein as inner characteristic dimension22, outer diameter24also may be referred to herein as outer characteristic dimension24, inner diameter32also may be referred to herein as inner characteristic dimension32, and/or outer diameter34also may be referred to herein as outer characteristic dimension34.

Pipe14may include any suitable inner diameter22. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples the inner diameter of pipe14may be at least 0.25 meters, at least 0.5 meters, at least 0.75 meters, or at least 1 meter. Additionally or alternatively, the inner diameter of pipe14may be less than 2 meters, less than 1.75 meters, less than 1.5 meters, less than 1.25 meters, or less than 1 meter.

As shown inFIG. 3, energy dissipation layer30may be concentric with, or at least substantially concentric with, at least a portion of pipe14. Additionally or alternatively, a hollow region of energy dissipation layer30that defines central region42of pipeline conduit20may be concentric with pipe14and/or with energy dissipation layer30. However, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that energy dissipation layer30and/or central region42may not be concentric with one another and/or with pipe14and/or may not include a circular and/or annular cross-sectional shape.

Energy dissipation layer thickness36may include any suitable thickness that may produce buffer portion70and also provide for flow of central portion44through central region42of the pipeline conduit. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of energy dissipation layer thicknesses according to the present disclosure include energy dissipation layer thicknesses of less than 500%, less than 200%, less than 100%, less than 75%, or less than 50% of pipe wall thickness26. Additionally or alternatively, the energy dissipation layer thickness may be greater than 10%, greater than 25%, greater than 50%, greater than 75%, greater than 100%, or greater than 200% of the pipe wall thickness.

As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, the energy dissipation layer thickness may be selected to be less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 7.5%, less than 5%, or less than 2.5% of inner diameter22and/or outer diameter24of pipe14. Additionally or alternatively, the energy dissipation layer thickness may be determined based, at least in part, on the average solid particle diameter. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, the energy dissipation layer thickness may be at least 5, at least 10, at least 25, or at least 50 times larger than the average solid particle diameter. As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, the energy dissipation layer thickness may be less than 100, less than 50, less than 20, or less than 10 times the average solid particle diameter.

FIG. 4is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of additional illustrative, non-exclusive examples of pipeline12according to the present disclosure. As depicted inFIG. 4, a pipeline12according to the present disclosure may include one or more optional intermediate layers38between inner surface28of pipe14and energy dissipation layer30. When present, intermediate layer38may include any suitable structure. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, intermediate layer38may include any suitable energy dissipation layer, including the illustrative, non-exclusive examples of energy dissipation layers30that are discussed in more detail herein, porous layer, abrasion-resistant layer, corrosion-resistant layer, adhesive layer, coating, and/or void space. When intermediate layer38includes a porous layer, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the intermediate layer may include a different porosity than the porosity of energy dissipation layer30. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of intermediate layer porosities according to the present disclosure include porosities that are less than the porosity of the energy dissipation layer, such as porosities of less than 40%, less than 35%, less than 30%, less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, or less than 1%, as well as porosities of substantially zero. When intermediate layer38includes a porous layer, an intermediate portion39of slurry40may be configured to flow though the intermediate layer with an average velocity, or volumetric flow rate,49that may be greater than, equal to, or less than buffer portion average velocity, or volumetric flow rate,48.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that intermediate layer38may be configured to perform any suitable function. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, the intermediate layer may be configured to further decrease abrasive wear of pipe14by slurry40, provide a transition and/or adhesion layer between inner surface28and energy dissipation layer30, and/or function as an additional buffer portion70that may further protect pipe14from slurry40.

FIG. 5is a schematic transverse cross-sectional view of pipelines12that include various illustrative, non-exclusive examples of energy dissipation layers30according to the present disclosure.FIG. 5schematically illustrates that energy dissipation layers30according to the present disclosure may include any suitable expanded structure110, extruded structure130, radially extending array150, and/or lattice170.

As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, and as shown inFIG. 5at112, energy dissipation layer30may include expanded structure110in the form of a foam. Additional illustrative, non-exclusive examples of expanded structures110according to the present disclosure include any suitable porous foam114, open cell foam116, and/or expanded metal118.

As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, and as shown inFIG. 5at132, energy dissipation layer30may include extruded structure130in the form of a honeycomb. Additional illustrative, non-exclusive examples of extruded structures130according to the present disclosure include any suitable geometric tube134and/or periodic, or repeating, structure136.

As yet another illustrative, non-exclusive example, and as shown inFIG. 5at152, energy dissipation layer30may include radially extending array150in the form of an array of radially extending spikes152. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the array of radially extending spikes may include discrete spikes152and/or interconnected spikes154.

As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, and as shown inFIG. 5at172, energy dissipation layer30may include lattice170in the form of a plurality of wires. Additional illustrative, non-exclusive examples of a lattice170according to the present disclosure include a network of intertwined wires174; wire fencing176; wire mesh178; wire cloth180; hollow-face, non-right-angle cuboids182; and/or chain link fencing184.

FIG. 6is a less schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of illustrative, non-exclusive examples of a pipeline12that includes an energy dissipation layer30that includes and/or is formed from a wire mesh178. Such an energy dissipation layer30may be inserted into pipeline conduit20, as indicated generally at120. As shown inFIG. 6, the wire mesh energy dissipation layer may comprise a cylindrical structure that may define inner diameter32of the energy dissipation layer and/or central region42of pipeline conduit20(as shown inFIG. 3) while providing for flow of buffer portion70therethrough.

As discussed in more detail herein, energy dissipation layers30according to the present disclosure may be located within but not affixed to pipe14. When the energy dissipation layer is not affixed to pipe14, one or more optional standoffs124, which may be operatively attached to the energy dissipation layer and/or to the pipe, may serve to locate the energy dissipation layer within the pipe. In some embodiments, the shape and/or orientation of pipe14may serve to locate and/or retain the energy dissipation layer within the pipe. Additionally or alternatively, and as also discussed in more detail herein, the energy dissipation layer may be operatively attached to pipe14and/or to inner surface28thereof using any suitable attachment structure126, illustrative, non-exclusive examples of which are discussed in more detail herein.

FIG. 7is another less schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an illustrative, non-exclusive example of a portion of pipeline12that includes an energy dissipation layer30according to the present disclosure that includes and/or is formed of one or more of layers of chain link fencing184. While six layers of chain link fencing184are shown inFIG. 7, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that any suitable number of layers may be utilized to form energy dissipation layer30and/or that one or more of the individual layers may include another energy dissipation layer material and/or structure, illustrative, non-exclusive examples of which are discussed in more detail herein. Similar to the wire mesh energy dissipation layer ofFIG. 6, the energy dissipation layer ofFIG. 7may comprise a cylindrical, or annular, structure that may, as shown inFIG. 3, define inner diameter32of the energy dissipation layer and/or central region42of pipeline conduit20while providing for flow of buffer portion70therethrough.

FIG. 8is a flowchart depicting methods200of decreasing abrasive wear in a pipeline using an energy dissipation layer according to the present disclosure. Methods200may include assembling the pipeline at205and installing an energy dissipation layer within a pipeline conduit of the pipeline, such as in a pipe thereof, at210. As discussed in more detail herein, and as graphically indicated with a double-headed arrow inFIG. 8, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the energy dissipation layer may be installed within the pipeline, or at least a pipe segment thereof, prior to or after the assembling of the pipeline. The methods further include flowing a slurry through the pipeline conduit at215and decreasing the kinetic energy of a buffer portion of the slurry that flows through the energy dissipation layer at220. The method also may include reducing an average velocity of the buffer portion at225, reducing an average volumetric flow rate of the buffer portion at230, decreasing kinetic energy of impinging solid particles that enter the buffer portion at235, and/or maintaining turbulent flow in a central region of the pipeline conduit that is bounded by the energy dissipation layer at240. The methods further may, but are not required to, include separating two or more components of the slurry at245, rotating the pipeline at250, repairing the energy dissipation layer at255, removing and replacing the energy dissipation layer at260, and/or replacing the pipeline at265.

Assembling the pipeline at205may include constructing the pipeline, moving one or more components of the pipeline to a site where the pipeline will be constructed, and/or attaching a plurality of pipe segments together to form the pipe. Installing the energy dissipation layer in the pipeline conduit at210may include inserting and/or sliding the energy dissipation layer into the pipeline conduit and/or operatively attaching the energy dissipation layer to the pipe to form a composite structure, illustrative, non-exclusive examples of which are discussed in more detail herein. Additionally or alternatively, installing the energy dissipation layer in the pipeline conduit at210also may include forming the energy dissipation layer within the pipeline conduit to form the composite structure, illustrative, non-exclusive examples of which are discussed in more detail herein. Additionally or alternatively, installing the energy dissipation layer in the pipeline may include forming at least a portion of the energy dissipation layer from the pipe to form a monolithic structure that includes the pipe and the energy dissipation layer. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of such monolithic structures are discussed in more detail herein.

Flowing the slurry through the pipeline conduit at215may include the use of any suitable structure to generate a motive force and provide for flow of the slurry through the pipeline. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, this may include the use of any suitable pump, compressor, auger, conveyor, and/or gravitational force to develop pressure within the slurry.

Decreasing the kinetic energy of the buffer portion of the slurry at220may include decreasing the kinetic energy of the buffer portion with the energy dissipation layer. This may include impeding a flow of a portion of the slurry through the energy dissipation layer and/or absorbing a portion of the kinetic energy of the slurry with the energy dissipation layer to produce the buffer portion, while maintaining a flow of the buffer portion through the energy dissipation layer. The decreasing may include decreasing the kinetic energy of the buffer portion relative to the kinetic energy of a central portion of the slurry that flows through a central region of the pipeline and/or a pipeline conduit thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the decreasing may include decreasing the kinetic energy of the buffer portion of the slurry relative to the kinetic energy of a similar portion of a similar slurry that flows through a similar pipeline that does not include the energy dissipation layer.

Decreasing the kinetic energy of the buffer portion also may include reducing the average velocity of the buffer portion at225and/or reducing the average volumetric flow rate of the buffer portion at230. This may include reducing the average velocity and/or the average volumetric flow rate by at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99%, and/or reducing the average velocity and/or the average volumetric flow rate by less than 99.5%, less than 99%, less than 98%, less than 90%, or less than 80%, less than 70%, or less than 60%. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the reducing may be relative to the velocity and/or the volumetric flow rate of the central portion of the slurry. Additionally or alternatively, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the reducing may be relative to the velocity and/or the volumetric flow rate that would exist in the region that is defined by the energy dissipation layer if the energy dissipation layer was not present within the pipeline.

Reducing the kinetic energy of impinging solid particles that enter the buffer portion from the central portion of the slurry and/or from the central region of the pipeline conduit at235may include absorbing a portion of the kinetic energy of the impinging solid particles with the buffer portion of the slurry and/or with the energy dissipation layer. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, a portion of the liquid and/or one or more solid particles that are present within the buffer portion of the slurry may absorb the portion of the kinetic energy from the impinging solid particles. As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, the energy dissipation layer may absorb a portion of the kinetic energy, such as by deformation of the energy dissipation layer by the impinging solid particles and/or abrasion of the energy dissipation layer by the impinging solid particles.

Maintaining turbulent flow in the central region of the pipeline conduit that is bounded by the energy dissipation layer at240may include maintaining turbulent flow within a turbulent flow portion of the slurry As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, the turbulent flow portion of the slurry may include at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of a total volume of the slurry that is within the pipeline. Additionally or alternatively, the turbulent flow portion of the slurry may include less than 99.9%, less than 99.5%, less than 99%, less than 97.5%, less than 95%, less than 90%, less than 85%, less than 80%, or less than 75% of the total volume of the slurry that is within the pipeline.

Maintaining turbulent flow also may include maintaining a Reynolds Number that is greater than a threshold Reynolds Number within the turbulent flow portion of the slurry. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of threshold Reynolds Numbers according to the present disclosure include Reynolds Numbers that are greater than 2,000, greater than 2,100, greater than 2,300, greater than 2,500, greater than 3,000, or greater than 5,000.

Separating slurry components at245may include separating at least a first slurry component from at least a second slurry component. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, and when the slurry includes a hydrocarbon, such as bitumen, the hydrocarbon may be bound to, and/or present within, a matrix of sand, or other solid, particles at an entrance to the pipeline. Under these conditions, flowing the slurry through the pipeline may include mixing the hydrocarbon and sand with a liquid component of the slurry to dissolve the hydrocarbon within the liquid component and/or to displace the hydrocarbon from the matrix of sand particles. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the separation may include the addition of one or more separation-enhancing components, illustrative, non-exclusive examples of which are discussed in more detail herein, to the slurry to increase and/or improve the separating.

Rotating the pipeline at250may include periodically detaching a portion and/or section of the pipeline from a remainder of the pipeline and/or from another structure, rotating the portion of the pipeline, and reattaching the portion of the pipeline to the remainder of the pipeline and/or the other structure. As discussed in more detail herein, an abrasive force between the slurry and the pipeline may be greatest on a bottom surface of the pipeline conduit. Thus, the rotating may increase wear uniformity about the circumference of the pipeline and/or increase the service life of the pipeline.

Repairing the energy dissipation layer at255may include the use of any suitable system, method, and/or structure to repair the energy dissipation layer. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, and when the energy dissipation layer is configured to be separated from the pipeline, the repairing may include removing the energy dissipation layer from the pipeline conduit, repairing and/or strengthening a damaged, or worn, portion of the energy dissipation layer, and replacing the energy dissipation layer back into the pipeline conduit. As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, the repairing may include repairing and/or strengthening the damaged, or worn, portion of the energy dissipation layer while the energy dissipation layer is within the pipeline conduit.

Removing and replacing the energy dissipation layer at260may include removing the energy dissipation layer from the pipeline conduit and replacing the energy dissipation layer with a new energy dissipation layer and/or installing the new energy dissipation layer within the pipeline conduit. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the removing may include pigging at least a portion of an existing energy dissipation layer from the inner surface of the pipe and/or sliding the existing energy dissipation layer from within the pipeline conduit.

It is further within the scope of the present disclosure that installing the new energy dissipation layer may include spraying the new energy dissipation layer onto the inner surface of the pipe. The installing further may include pigging at least a portion of the new energy dissipation layer from the pipeline conduit to produce and/or define the central region of the pipeline conduit. Additionally or alternatively, the installing also may include inserting and/or sliding the new energy dissipation layer into the pipeline conduit.

Replacing the pipeline at265may include replacing any suitable portion and/or section of the pipeline. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the replacing may be performed based, at least in part, on a specified time interval, measurement of one or more characteristics of the pipeline, and/or subsequent to rotation of the pipeline about the entire circumference of the pipeline.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the systems and methods that have been discussed and/or illustrated herein may be implemented and/or utilized with a slurry that comprises a gas and solid particles as primary components, as opposed to the previously discussed slurry40that comprises a liquid and solid particles as primary components. An illustrative, non-exclusive example of such a gas is carbon dioxide, including (but not limited to) carbon dioxide in a supercritical state. Thus, the present disclosure additionally or alternatively may be referred to as including a slurry that comprises a fluid and solid particles and/or which includes a slurry that includes a fluid and solid particles as primary components.

In the above discussion, a number of parameters are discussed in the context of average values, illustrative, non-exclusive examples of which include average flow rates, average flow velocities, and/or average dimensions. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that these averages may include any suitable average, illustrative, non-exclusive examples of which include means, medians, and/or modes.

In the present disclosure, several of the illustrative, non-exclusive examples have been discussed and/or presented in the context of flow diagrams, or flow charts, in which the methods are shown and described as a series of blocks, or steps. Unless specifically set forth in the accompanying description, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the order of the blocks may vary from the illustrated order in the flow diagram, including with two or more of the blocks (or steps) occurring in a different order and/or concurrently. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the blocks, or steps, may be implemented as logic, which also may be described as implementing the blocks, or steps, as logics. In some applications, the blocks, or steps, may represent expressions and/or actions to be performed by functionally equivalent circuits or other logic devices. The illustrated blocks may, but are not required to, represent executable instructions that cause a computer, processor, and/or other logic device to respond, to perform an action, to change states, to generate an output or display, and/or to make decisions.

In the event that any patents, patent applications, or other references are incorporated by reference herein and define a term in a manner or are otherwise inconsistent with either the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure or with any of the other incorporated references, the non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure shall control, and the term or incorporated disclosure therein shall only control with respect to the reference in which the term is defined and/or the incorporated disclosure was originally present.

Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of systems and methods according to the present disclosure are presented in the following enumerated paragraphs. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that an individual step of a method recited herein, including in the following enumerated paragraphs, may additionally or alternatively be referred to as a “step for” performing the recited action.

A1. A pipeline configured to transfer a slurry, wherein the slurry includes a liquid and solid particles, the pipeline comprising:

a pipe including a pipe inner surface, wherein the pipe inner surface defines a pipeline conduit that is configured to convey the slurry; and

an energy dissipation layer proximal to the pipe inner surface and bounding at least a portion of a central region of the pipeline conduit, wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to decrease the kinetic energy of a buffer portion of the slurry that flows through the energy dissipation layer relative to the kinetic energy of a central portion of the slurry that includes a remainder of the slurry and flows through the central region of the pipeline conduit.

A2. The pipeline of paragraph A1, wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to at least one of, and optionally at least two, at least three, or at least four of, decrease an average velocity of the buffer portion, decrease an average velocity of a portion of the solid particles present within the buffer portion, decrease an average volumetric flow rate of the buffer portion, and decrease turbulence in the buffer portion.

A3. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A2, wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to decrease the kinetic energy of the buffer portion while providing for at least one of flow and substantial flow of the buffer portion therethrough, and optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to decrease the kinetic energy of the buffer portion without at least one of blocking, occluding, and stopping the flow of the buffer portion therethrough.

A4. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A3, wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to decrease a rate at which the slurry erodes the pipe, and optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to decrease the rate at which the slurry erodes the pipe without substantially decreasing at least one of a flow rate and an average velocity of the central portion of the slurry.

A5. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A4, wherein the buffer portion includes an average buffer portion volumetric flow rate, wherein the central portion includes an average central portion volumetric flow rate, and further wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to decrease the average buffer portion volumetric flow rate relative to the average central portion volumetric flow rate by a reduction fraction.

A6. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A5, wherein the buffer portion includes an average buffer portion flow velocity, wherein the central portion includes an average central portion flow velocity, and further wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to decrease the average buffer portion flow velocity relative to the average central portion flow velocity by a/the reduction fraction.

A7. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A5-A6, wherein the reduction fraction is greater than or equal to 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.92, 0.94, 0.96, 0.98, 0.99, and optionally wherein the reduction fraction is less than or equal to 0.995, 0.99, 0.95, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, or 0.4.

A8. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A7, wherein the buffer portion is configured to reduce the kinetic energy of impinging solid particles of the slurry that enter the buffer portion from the central region of the pipeline conduit, and optionally wherein the buffer portion is configured to absorb a portion of the kinetic energy of the impinging solid particles.

A9. The pipeline of paragraph A8, wherein the buffer portion is configured to absorb the portion of the kinetic energy without substantial abrasive wear of at least one of the pipe and the energy dissipation layer, optionally without substantial abrasive wear of the pipe, and further optionally without abrasive wear of the pipe.

A10. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A9, wherein the pipeline includes a total volume of the slurry, wherein the buffer portion includes less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 12.5%, less than 10%, less than 7.5%, less than 5%, or less than 2% of the total volume of the slurry, and optionally wherein the buffer portion includes at least 0.5%, at least 1%, at least 2.5%, at least 5%, at least 7.5%, or at least 10% of the total volume of the slurry.

A11. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A10, wherein the energy dissipation layer includes a plurality of flow obstructions that is configured to decrease the kinetic energy of the buffer portion, and optionally wherein the plurality of flow obstructions is configured to decrease the kinetic energy of the buffer portion without at least one of trapping, blocking, stopping, and occluding flow of the buffer portion of the slurry.

A12. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A11, wherein the energy dissipation layer includes a porous structure.

A13. The pipeline of paragraph A12, wherein the porous structure includes a porosity of at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or at least 99.9%, and optionally wherein the porous structure includes a porosity of less than 100%, less than 99.9%, less than 99%, less than 98%, less than 97%, less than 96%, or less than 95%.

A14. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A12-A13, wherein the porous structure includes a plurality of pores, optionally wherein the plurality of pores includes a plurality of interconnected pores, and further optionally wherein less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, or none of the plurality of pores include isolated pores.

A15. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A12-A14, wherein the porous structure includes an average equivalent pore throat diameter, wherein the solid particles include an average equivalent particle diameter, and further wherein the average equivalent pore throat diameter is greater than the average equivalent particle diameter, and optionally wherein the average equivalent pore throat diameter is at least 5, at least 10, at least 20, at least 25, at least 50, at least 75, at least 100, at least 150, at least 200, at least 250, or at least 500 times larger than the average equivalent particle diameter.

A16. The pipeline of paragraph A15, wherein the equivalent pore throat diameter is defined as the diameter of a circle that has the same area as a representative pore throat cross-sectional area, and further wherein the equivalent particle diameter is defined as the diameter of a circle that has the same area as a representative particle cross-sectional area.

A17. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A15-A16, wherein the average equivalent pore throat diameter is greater than 50 micrometers, greater than 250 micrometers, greater than 1,000 micrometers, greater than 2,000 micrometers, greater than 5,000 micrometers, or greater than 20,000 micrometers.

A18. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A12-A17, wherein the porous structure includes at least one of an extruded structure, a honeycomb, a foam, a porous foam, a sintered structure, and a periodic structure.

A19. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A18, wherein the energy dissipation layer includes at least one of a plurality of hollow-face, non-right-angle cuboids; a plurality of radially aligned spikes; a plurality of interconnected, radially aligned spikes; a plurality of wires; a network of intertwined wires; a network of unconnected but intertwined wires; wire fencing; and chain link fencing.

A20. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A19, wherein the energy dissipation layer is concentric with at least a portion of the pipe, optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer is concentric with the pipe, optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer includes a hollow region that defines the central region of the pipeline conduit, optionally wherein the hollow region is concentric with at least a portion of the pipe, and further optionally wherein the hollow region is concentric with the pipe.

A21. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A20, wherein the energy dissipation layer extends around a portion of a circumference of the pipe, optionally wherein the portion of the circumference includes a bottom surface of the pipeline conduit, optionally wherein the portion of the circumference includes a majority, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or the entire circumference of the pipe, and further optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer is uniform around the circumference of the pipe.

A22. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A21, wherein the energy dissipation layer extends along a portion of a length of the pipe, optionally wherein the portion includes a majority, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or the entire of the length of the pipe, and further optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer is uniform along the length of the pipe.

A23. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A22, wherein the pipeline includes a transition region, optionally wherein the transition region includes at least one of an entrance region that is configured to receive the slurry into the pipeline and a bend region that is configured to change an average flow direction of the slurry, wherein the transition region includes a transition region energy dissipation layer, optionally wherein the transition region energy dissipation layer is different from a remainder of the energy dissipation layer, and further optionally wherein the transition region energy dissipation layer includes at least one of a different thickness, a greater thickness, a different chemical composition, and a different porosity than the remainder of the energy dissipation layer.

A24. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A23, wherein the energy dissipation layer includes an energy dissipation layer thickness, and optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer thickness is less than 500%, less than 200%, less than 100%, less than 75%, or less than 50% of a wall thickness of the pipe, and further optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer thickness is greater than 10%, greater than 25%, greater than 50%, greater than 75%, greater than 100%, or greater than 200% of the wall thickness of the pipe.

A25. The pipeline of paragraph A24, wherein the energy dissipation layer thickness is less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 7.5%, less than 5%, or less than 2.5% of a diameter of the pipe.

A26. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A24-A25, wherein the solid particles include an/the average equivalent particle diameter, and further wherein the energy dissipation layer thickness is at least 5, at least 10, at least 25, or at least 50 times the average equivalent particle diameter, and optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer thickness is less than 100, less than 50, less than 25, or less than 10 times the average equivalent particle diameter.

A27. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A26, wherein the energy dissipation layer includes at least one of a ceramic, a porous ceramic, a foam, an expanded metal, a wire cloth, a metallic material, a polymeric material, high manganese steel, and a composite material.

A28. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A27, wherein the pipeline includes an intermediate layer between the pipe inner surface and the energy dissipation layer, and optionally wherein the pipeline includes a plurality of intermediate layers.

A29. The pipeline of paragraph A28, wherein the intermediate layer includes at least one of an/another energy dissipation layer, a porous layer, an abrasion-resistant layer, a corrosion-resistant layer, an adhesive layer, a coating, and a void space.

A30. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A28-A29, wherein the intermediate layer includes an intermediate layer porosity that is less than a/the porosity of the energy dissipation layer, and optionally wherein the intermediate layer porosity is less than 40%, less than 35%, less than 30%, less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, or substantially zero.

A31. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A30, wherein the energy dissipation layer includes at least one of a compliant structure and a resilient structure, and optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to at least one of bend, flex, and deform responsive to mechanical contact between the energy dissipation layer and a portion of the slurry.

A32. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A31, wherein the pipe and the energy dissipation layer form a composite structure.

A33. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A32, wherein the energy dissipation layer is formed separately from the pipe and placed within the pipeline conduit during assembly of the pipeline.

A34. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A32, wherein the energy dissipation layer is formed within the pipe, and optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer includes a foam that is sprayed into the pipe.

A35. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A32-A34, wherein an outer diameter of the energy dissipation layer is less than or equal to an inner diameter of the pipe, and optionally wherein the outer diameter of the energy dissipation layer is within 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2.5%, or 1% of the inner diameter of the pipe.

A36. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A35, wherein the energy dissipation layer is not affixed to the pipe inner surface.

A37. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A35, wherein the energy dissipation layer is operatively attached to the pipe inner surface, and optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer is operatively attached to the pipe inner surface using at least one of an adhesive, an adhesive bond, an epoxy, a weld, brazing, a friction fit, and a fastener.

A38. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A31, wherein the pipe and the energy dissipation layer form a monolithic structure.

A39. The pipeline of paragraph A38, wherein the energy dissipation layer is formed by removing material from the pipe inner surface, and optionally wherein the energy dissipation layer is formed by at least one of cutting, etching, and machining to remove the material from the pipe inner surface.

A40. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1A39, wherein the pipe is a metallic pipe.

A41. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A40, wherein a length of the pipe is at least 0.5 kilometers, at least 1 kilometer, at least 2 kilometers, at least 3 kilometers, at least 4 kilometers, at least 5 kilometers, at least 7.5 kilometers, at least 10 kilometers, at least 15 kilometers, at least 25 kilometers, or at least 50 kilometers.

A42. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A41, wherein an/the inner diameter of the pipe is at least 0.25 meters, at least 0.5 meters, at least 0.75 meters, or at least 1 meter, and optionally wherein the inner diameter of the pipe is less than 2 meters, less than 1.75 meters, less than 1.5 meters, less than 1.25 meters, or less than 1 meter.

A43. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A42, wherein the liquid includes at least one of water, bitumen, and a liquid hydrocarbon.

A44. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A43, wherein the solid particles comprise at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, at least 40, at least 45, at least 50, or at least 55 volume percent of the slurry, and optionally wherein the solid particles comprise less than 70, less than 65, less than 60, less than 55, less than 50, less than 45, or less than 40 volume percent of the slurry.

A45. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A44, wherein the solid particles include at least one of sand, clay, rock, hydrocarbon ore, and mine tailings.

A46. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A45, wherein the slurry includes a hydrocarbon, optionally wherein the hydrocarbon includes at least 0.25, at least 0.5, at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, or at least 35 volume percent of the slurry, optionally wherein the hydrocarbon includes less than 50, less than 45, less than 40, less than 35, less than 30, or less than 25 volume percent of the slurry, and further optionally wherein the hydrocarbon includes bitumen.

A47. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A46, wherein the slurry includes an average slurry flow velocity within the pipeline, optionally wherein the average slurry flow velocity is at least 0.5, at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, or at least 7 meters per second, and further optionally wherein the average slurry flow velocity is less than 10, less than 7, less than 6, less than 5, less than 4, less than 3, or less than 2 meters per second.

A48. The pipeline of paragraph A47, wherein the buffer portion includes an average buffer portion flow velocity, optionally wherein the average buffer portion flow velocity is less than 1%, less than 5%, less than 10%, less than 20%, less than 30%, less than 40%, less than 50%, less than 60%, less than 70%, less than 80%, less than 90%, or less than 95% of the average slurry flow velocity, and further optionally wherein the average buffer portion flow velocity is at least 0.1%, at least 1%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, or at least 70% of the average slurry flow velocity.

A49. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A48, wherein the slurry includes at least one of a caustic material, a caustic soda, sodium hydroxide, and/or naphthalic acid.

A50. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A49, wherein at least a turbulent flow portion of the slurry flows within the pipeline under turbulent flow conditions, optionally wherein the turbulent flow portion of the slurry includes at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of a total volume of the slurry within the pipeline, and further optionally wherein the turbulent flow portion of the slurry includes less than 99.9%, less than 99.5%, less than 99%, less than 97.5%, less than 95%, less than 90%, less than 85%, less than 80%, or less than 75% of the total volume of the slurry within the pipeline.

A51. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A2-A50, wherein the average includes at least one of a mean, a median, and a mode, and optionally wherein the slurry includes a bulk flow direction and the average is measured in the bulk flow direction.

A52. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A51, wherein the pipeline is configured to transfer the slurry between a first location and a second location, and optionally wherein at least one of the first location and the second location includes at least one of a mine, a hydrocarbon mine, an ore processing facility, a hydrocarbon ore processing facility, a mine tailings disposal site, and a tailings pond.

A53. The pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A52, wherein the energy dissipation layer includes a means for reducing an average velocity of the buffer portion of the slurry.

A54. The pipeline of paragraph A53, wherein the means for reducing is configured to decrease the average velocity of the buffer portion of the slurry by a reduction fraction relative to an average velocity of a similar portion of a similar slurry flowing through a similar pipeline that includes the pipeline conduit but does not include the means for reducing.

B1. A method for decreasing abrasive wear of a pipeline that is configured to transfer a slurry, wherein the slurry includes a liquid and solid particles, wherein the pipeline includes a pipe including a pipe inner surface that defines a pipeline conduit and an energy dissipation layer that is proximal to the pipe inner surface, wherein the energy dissipation layer bounds at least a portion of a central region of the pipeline conduit, wherein a buffer portion of the slurry flows through the energy dissipation layer, and further wherein a central portion of the slurry that includes a remainder of the slurry flows through the central region of the pipeline conduit, the method comprising:

flowing the slurry through the pipeline conduit; and

decreasing a kinetic energy of the buffer portion of the slurry relative to the kinetic energy of the central portion of the slurry to decrease abrasion of the pipeline conduit by the slurry.

B2. The method of paragraph B1, wherein the decreasing includes reducing an average velocity of the buffer portion of the slurry, optionally wherein the reducing includes reducing the average velocity by at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 94%, at least 96%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, and further optionally wherein the reducing includes reducing the average velocity by less than 99.5%, less than 99%, less than 95%, less than 90%, less than 80%, less than 70%, less than 60%, less than 50%, or less than 40%.

B3. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B2, wherein the method includes decreasing the kinetic energy of impinging solid particles of the slurry that enter the buffer portion from the central region of the pipeline conduit, and optionally wherein the decreasing includes absorbing a portion of the kinetic energy of the impinging solid particles with at least one of the buffer portion and the energy dissipation layer.

B4. The method of paragraph B3, wherein the energy dissipation layer includes a resilient structure, and further wherein the absorbing includes deforming the energy dissipation layer, at least temporarily, with the impinging solid particles.

B5. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B4, wherein the pipeline includes a total volume of the slurry, wherein the flowing includes flowing the buffer portion of the slurry, optionally wherein the buffer portion includes less than 25%, less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 12.5%, less than 10%, less than 7.5%, less than 5%, or less than 2% of the total volume of the slurry, and further optionally wherein the buffer portion includes at least 0.5%, at least 1%, at least 2.5%, at least 5%, at least 7.5%, or at least 10% of the total volume of the slurry.

B6. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B5, wherein an abrasive force that is generated by flowing the slurry through the pipeline is greatest on a bottom surface of the pipeline conduit, and further wherein the method includes periodically rotating the pipeline to increase wear uniformity about a circumference of the pipeline.

B7. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B6, wherein the method further includes repairing the energy dissipation layer, and optionally wherein the repairing includes removing the energy dissipation layer from the pipeline, repairing the energy dissipation layer, and placing the energy dissipation layer within the pipeline.

B8. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B7, wherein the method further includes periodically replacing at least one of the pipeline, the pipe, and the energy dissipation layer, and optionally wherein the periodically replacing is performed subsequent to rotating the pipeline about an entire circumference of the pipeline.

B9. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B8, wherein the method includes removing the energy dissipation layer from the pipeline and installing a new energy dissipation layer within the pipeline.

B10. The method of paragraph B9, wherein the removing includes at least one of pigging at least a portion of the existing energy dissipation layer from the pipe inner surface and sliding the existing energy dissipation layer from within the pipe.

B11. The method of any of paragraphs B9-B10, wherein the installing includes spraying the new energy dissipation layer onto the pipe inner surface, and optionally wherein the method further includes pigging a portion of the new energy dissipation layer from the pipe to define the central region of the pipeline conduit.

B12. The method of any of paragraphs B9-B11, wherein the installing includes at least one of inserting and sliding the new energy dissipation layer into the pipe.

B13. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B12, wherein the method further includes maintaining a turbulent flow regime within a turbulent flow portion of the slurry, and optionally wherein the turbulent flow portion of the slurry includes at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, least 90% , or at least 95% of a/the total volume of the slurry that is within the pipeline, and further optionally wherein the turbulent flow portion of the slurry includes less than 99.9%, less than 99.5%, less than 99%, less than 97.5%, less than 95%, less than 90%, less than 85%, less than 80%, or less than 75% of the total volume of the slurry that is within the pipeline.

B14. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B13, wherein the method further includes separating a first slurry component from a second slurry component during the flowing, and optionally wherein the separating includes separating at least one of a hydrocarbon and bitumen from sand.

B15. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B14, wherein the method further includes assembling the pipeline, and optionally wherein the assembling includes attaching a plurality of pipe segments to one another to form the pipe.

B16. The method of paragraph B15, wherein the method further includes at least one of inserting and sliding the energy dissipation layer into the pipe.

B17. The method of paragraph B15, wherein the method further includes forming the energy dissipation layer within the pipe.

B18. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B17, wherein the liquid includes at least one of water, bitumen, and a liquid hydrocarbon, and further wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the liquid.

B19. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B18, wherein the solid particles comprise at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, at least 40, at least 45, at least 50, or at least 55 volume percent of the slurry, optionally wherein the solid particles comprise less than 70, less than 65, less than 60, less than 55, less than 50, less than 45, or less than 40 volume percent of the slurry, and further wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the solid particles.

B20. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B19, wherein the solid particles include at least one of sand, clay, rock hydrocarbon ore, and mine tailings, and further wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the solid particles.

B21. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B20, wherein the slurry includes a hydrocarbon, optionally wherein the hydrocarbon includes at least 0.25, at least 0.5, at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, or at least 35 volume percent of the slurry, optionally wherein the hydrocarbon includes less than 50, less than 45, less than 40, less than 35, less than 30, or less than 25 volume percent of the slurry, optionally wherein the hydrocarbon includes bitumen, and further wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the hydrocarbon.

B22. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B21, wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the slurry with an average slurry flow velocity within the pipeline, optionally wherein the average slurry flow velocity is at least0.1, at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, or at least 7 meters per second, and further optionally wherein the average slurry flow velocity is less than 10, less than 7, less than 6, less than 5, less than 4, less than 3, less than 2, or less than 1 meters per second.

B23. The method of paragraph B22, wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the buffer portion with an average buffer portion flow velocity, optionally wherein the average buffer portion flow velocity is less than 1%, less than 5%, less than 10%, less than 20%, less than 30%, less than 40%, less than 50%, less than 60%, less than 70%, less than 80%, less than 90%, or less than 95% of the average slurry flow velocity, and further optionally wherein the average buffer portion flow velocity is at least 0.1%, at least 1%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, or at least 70% of the average slurry flow velocity.

B24. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B23, wherein the slurry includes a separation-enhancing component, optionally wherein the separation-enhancing component includes at least one of a caustic material, a caustic soda, sodium hydroxide, and/or naphthalic acid, and further wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the separation-enhancing component.

B25. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B24, wherein at least a turbulent flow portion of the slurry flows within the pipeline under turbulent flow conditions, optionally wherein the turbulent flow portion of the slurry includes at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% of a/the total volume of the slurry within the pipeline, and further optionally wherein the turbulent flow portion of the slurry includes less than 99.9%, less than 99.5%, less than 99%, less than 97.5%, less than 95%, less than 90%, less than 85%, less than 80%, or less than 75% of the total volume of the slurry within the pipeline.

B26. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B25, wherein the energy dissipation layer includes a porous structure, and further wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the buffer portion through the porous structure.

B27. The method of paragraph B26, wherein the porous structure includes a porosity of at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 99%, or at least 99.9%, and optionally wherein the porous structure includes a porosity of less than 100%, less than 99.9%, less than 99%, less than 98%, less than 97%, less than 96%, or less than 95%.

B28. The method of any of paragraphs B1-B27, wherein the pipeline includes the pipeline of any of paragraphs A1-A54.

C1. The use of any of the pipelines of any of paragraphs A1-A54 with any of the methods of any of paragraphs B1-B28.

C2. The use of any of the methods of any of paragraphs B1-B28 with any of the pipelines of any of paragraphs A1-A54.

C3. The use of any of the pipelines of any of paragraphs A1-A54 or any of the methods of any of paragraphs Bl-B28to decrease wear within a pipeline due to flow of a slurry therethrough.

C4. The use of any of the pipelines of any of paragraphs A1-A54 or any of the methods of any of paragraphs B1-B28 to transfer a slurry between a first location and a second location.

C5. The use of any of the pipelines of any of paragraphs A1-A54 or any of the methods of any of paragraphs B1-B28;to mine hydrocarbons.

C6. The use of an energy dissipation layer to increase, optionally at least double, and further optionally at least triple, the service life of a pipeline that is configured to transfer a slurry.

C7. The use of an energy dissipation layer to produce a buffer portion of a slurry within a pipeline that is configured to transfer the slurry.

C8. The use of an energy dissipation layer to reduce erosion of a pipeline.

D1. The pipelines of any of paragraphs A1-A54, the methods of any of paragraphs  B1-B28, and/or the uses of any of paragraphs C1-C8, wherein the slurry includes the liquid and the solid particles as primary components.

D2. The pipelines of any of paragraphs A1-A54, the methods of any of paragraphs B1-B28, and/or the uses of any of paragraphs C1-C8, wherein the slurry includes the liquid and the solid particles as primary components, and further wherein the slurry further comprises at least one additional component.

D3. The pipelines of any of paragraphs A1-A54, the methods of any of paragraphs B1-B28, and/or the uses of any of paragraphs C1-C8, wherein the slurry includes a gas instead of the liquid, and optionally wherein the slurry comprises the gas and the solid particles as primary components, and further optionally wherein the slurry further comprises at least one additional component.

D4. The pipelines, methods, and/or uses of paragraph D3, wherein the gas comprises carbon dioxide, optionally wherein the gas is carbon dioxide, and further optionally wherein the carbon dioxide is supercritical carbon dioxide.

PCT1. A pipeline configured to transfer a slurry, wherein the slurry includes a liquid and solid particles, the pipeline comprising:

pipe including a pipe inner surface, wherein the pipe inner surface defines a pipeline conduit that is configured to convey the slurry; and

an energy dissipation layer proximal to the pipe inner surface and bounding at least a portion of a central region of the pipeline conduit, wherein the energy dissipation layer includes a porous structure with a porosity of 70% to 99.9%, wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to decrease the kinetic energy of a buffer portion of the slurry that flows through the energy dissipation layer relative to the kinetic energy of a central portion of the slurry that includes a remainder of the slurry and flows through the central region of the pipeline conduit.

PCT2. The pipeline of paragraph PCT1, wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to decrease the kinetic energy of the buffer portion while providing for flow of the buffer portion therethrough, and further wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to decrease the kinetic energy of the buffer portion without blocking the flow of the buffer portion therethrough.

PCT3. The pipeline of any of paragraphs PCT1-PCT2, wherein the energy dissipation layer is configured to decrease a rate at which the slurry erodes the pipe without substantially decreasing a flow rate of the central portion of the slurry.

PCT4. The pipeline of any of paragraphs PCT1-PCT3, wherein the buffer portion is configured to reduce the kinetic energy of impinging solid particles of the slurry that enter the buffer portion from the central region of the pipeline conduit.

PCT5. The pipeline of any of paragraphs PCT1-PCT4, wherein the porous structure includes an average equivalent pore throat diameter, wherein the solid particles include an average equivalent particle diameter, and further wherein the average equivalent pore throat diameter is at least5times greater than the average equivalent particle diameter.

PCT6. The pipeline of any of paragraphs PCT1-PCT5, wherein the energy dissipation layer is concentric with at least a portion of the pipe, and further wherein the energy dissipation layer extends around at least 80% of a circumference of the pipe.

PCT7. The pipeline of any of paragraphs PCT1-PCT6, wherein the pipe has a length, and the energy dissipation layer extends along at least 50% of the length of the pipe.

PCT8. The pipeline of any of paragraphs PCT1-PCT7, wherein the energy dissipation layer includes an energy dissipation layer thickness, wherein the pipe includes a pipe wall thickness, and further wherein the energy dissipation layer thickness is 50%-150% of the pipe wall thickness.

PCT9. The pipeline of any of paragraphs PCT1-PCT8, wherein the pipe has a length, and the length of the pipe is at least 1 kilometer.

PCT10. A method for decreasing abrasive wear of a pipeline that is configured to transfer a slurry, wherein the slurry includes a liquid and solid particles, wherein the pipeline includes a pipe including a pipe inner surface that defines a pipeline conduit and an energy dissipation layer that is proximal to the pipe inner surface, wherein the energy dissipation layer bounds at least a portion of a central region of the pipeline conduit, wherein a buffer portion of the slurry flows through the energy dissipation layer, and further wherein a central portion of the slurry that includes a remainder of the slurry flows through the central region of the pipeline conduit, the method comprising:

flowing the slurry through the pipeline conduit, wherein the slurry includes a hydrocarbon, and further wherein the hydrocarbon includes at least 0.5 volume percent of the slurry; and

decreasing a kinetic energy of the buffer portion of the slurry relative to the kinetic energy of the central portion of the slurry to decrease abrasion of the pipeline conduit by the slurry.

PCT11. The method of paragraph PCT10, wherein the liquid includes at least one of water, bitumen, and a liquid hydrocarbon, and further wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the liquid.

PCT12. The method of any of paragraphs PCT10-PCT11, wherein the solid particles comprise at least 15 volume percent of the slurry, and further wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the solid particles.

PCT13. The method of any of paragraphs PCT10-PCT12, wherein the solid particles include at least one of sand, clay, rock, hydrocarbon ore, and mine tailings, and further wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the solid particles.

PCT14. The method of any of paragraphs PCT10-PCT13, wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the slurry with an average slurry flow velocity within the pipeline, wherein the average slurry flow velocity is at least 2 meters per second.

PCT15. The method of any of paragraphs PCT10-PCT14, wherein the energy dissipation layer includes a porous structure, wherein flowing the slurry includes flowing the buffer portion through the porous structure, and further wherein the porous structure includes a porosity of 70 to 99.9%.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The systems and methods disclosed herein are applicable to the oil and gas industries.