Biomass Combustion Wastes Utilization in Natural Gas Pipeline Construction

Pipeline construction in rock soils demands an extreme care, under a constructive point-of-view, specially regarding a possible damage to the pipeline coating. Irregular pieces of rock (result of rock blasting) can contribute to this damage. Actual methodologies can be resumed in the utilization of selected soil (extracted from natural areas) as “padding” layer and also to cover the pipeline. Another methodology is mechanical protection utilization (special sleeves and wood grids). This paper proposes the utilization of biomass wastes after burning in Biomass Fire Power Plants as “padding” and “covering” agent, in substitution to the soil extracted from natural areas. The waste studied is produced after the burning of rice husk wastes that are burned in power plants in operation at the South Region of Brazil. Laboratory analyses were conducted and the results are presented and discussed, in terms of pipeline integrity and soil quality effects. Main results of this work are related to the possibility of cost reduction by the utilization of waste as the “padding” and “covering” agents in pipeline construction, as well as the selected soil extraction areas conservation, that can be used to another economical or environmental activity. Another result can be the reducing of mechanical protection elements used during the construction step. Finally, this paper contributes to the development of new initiatives related to alternative materials using in pipeline construction routines, based on cost reduction × environmental sustainability binomial, that can result in more sustainable gas pipeline construction projects.