A Cheap Levitating Gas/Load Pipeline

TL;DR

This paper proposes a cost-effective, high-altitude flexible pipeline system using methane's buoyancy to transport natural gas and other payloads over long distances, reducing environmental impact and construction costs.

Contribution

It introduces a novel aerial pipeline design that leverages methane's lift force, offering a cheaper and faster alternative to traditional steel pipelines.

Findings

Potential to deliver 24 billion cubic meters of gas annually

Capable of transporting tens of millions of tons of payload per year

Significantly lowers construction and energy costs

Abstract

Design of new cheap aerial pipelines, a large flexible tube deployed at high altitude, for delivery of natural (fuel) gas, water and other payload over a long distance is delineated. The main component of the natural gas is methane which has a specific weight less than air. A lift force of one cubic meter of methane equals approximately 0.5 kg (1 pound). The lightweight film flexible pipeline can be located in air at high altitude and, as such, does not damage the environment. Using the lift force of this pipeline and wing devices payloads of oil, water, or other fluids, or even solids such as coal, cargo, passengers can be delivered cheaply at long distance. This aerial pipeline dramatically decreases the cost and the time of construction relative to conventional pipelines of steel which saves energy and greatly lowers the capital cost of construction. The article contains a computed project for delivery 24 billion cubic meters of gas and tens of million tons of oil, water or other payload per year.