Black Mesa pipeline

The Black Mesa pipeline, located in the United States, is the world's longest coal-slurry pipeline. Constructed in 1970, this 18-inch pipeline transports 4.8 million tons of coal annually from Black Mesa, Arizona, to southern Nevada, covering a distance of 273 miles. This pipeline has been successful in its operation.1

Slurry pipelines transport a mixture of solid particles and a liquid, typically water. Fine slurry, with small, ground particles, is suitable for long-distance transport, while coarse slurry, with larger particles, is generally used for shorter distances due to its abrasive nature and high power consumption. The United States pioneered long-distance coal-slurry pipeline technology, with the first such line built in Ohio in 1957.1