Pipe Line

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

one of the most remarkof able modern devices for lessening the cost of transportation of petroleum. At first the crude oil was transported from the wells to the refineries on barges and flatboats. Later, railroads obtained much of this business. About 1870 wooden tank cars were displaced by cars with tanks constructed of boiler iron. These tank cars are still in use to a large extent. The practicability of a line of tubing was suggested by Gen. S. D. Karns of Parkersburg, W. Va. In 1872 a Mr. Hutchinson laid down a short line of pipe on the siphon principle erected in the oil country at Plumer. In 1875 the first successful pipe line was laid by Samuel Van Sycle from Pithole to Miller's farm. Next came an effort to construct a pipe line from the wells to the seaboard, and in 1875 the Pennsylvania Transportation Company was authorized to construct a pipe line from the oil regions to tide water. Generally, to avoid the extremes of heat and cold, the pipes are buried under the surface of the ground about two feet. They are laid on a bee line, and follow the face of the country to tide water. The pumping stations are located at central points in the valleys along the various lines. Each pipe line section is patrolled by a lineman, and the smallest leakages are quickly detected and righted. To remove sediment and other deposits an automatic scraper is introduced into the pipes, the oil pressure forcing the scrapalong er from one station to the next, next, the sound of its travel being thoroughly audible to the lineman who follows it in its passage.