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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA2_SGN0008
Title	HyPurge
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen, Other infrastructure and systems R&D) 100%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given SGN - Southern England
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 October 2021
End Date	30 April 2022
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£310,926
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	South East
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , SGN - Southern England (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , SGN (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA2_SGN0008
Objectives	The Project consists of the following costed project milestones as outlined below. WP1: Define requirements for H100 Fife This work package will review the proposed H100 Fife network, identify any areas of concern and define the experimental research programme accordingly to demonstrate a safe purge method. This work will be reported in Interim Report 1 WP2: Review of theory, standards, practices and procedures The aim of this work package is to document current theory and procedures for purging between air and methane. The work will then assess the validity in hydrogen and refine the procedures accordingly. This work will be reported in Interim Report 1 Steering Group Meeting 1 An Interim Report will be provided for this Steering Group meeting, outlining the work carried out in WP1, WP2, and WP3 to date. WP3: Experimental Lab work This work directly builds on the work already carried out by Steer who have developed an analytical method of visualising a purge. This work scope will use the method of measuring purge efficiency to determine the effects of different parameters on the overall purge. Part of this work will be reported in Interim Report 1, with the conclusion reported in Final Report WP4: Third party field trials Steer have an in-principal agreement to collaborate with Kiwa to use this 375 m long 180 mm PE pipe as a large-scale trial for purge tooling and procedures. This work will be reported in Final Report. Steering Group Meeting 2 The Final Report will be provided for this Steering Group meeting, outlining the work carried out in WP1, WP2, and WP3, and WP4. WP5: Reporting and dissemination of findings The supplier will ensure that all management services including the final report are supplied as specified in NIA project deliverables  There are significant differences between methane and hydrogen, in particularly the very low density of hydrogen that mean the purging processes and procedures need to be reviewed to ensure safe purging of the network. There are a number of challenges with transposing the current purging procedures for Methane directly to Hydrogen. This work scope studies the purging processes for commissioning and conversion of network pipes with hydrogen. It specifically aims to identify the conditions and procedures required to successfully carry out direct purging from air to hydrogen without the need to resort to using large volumes of inert gases such as nitrogen. The aim is to deliver the work relevant to H100 Fife for Q1 2022, outlining specific work instructions.This is a 7 month project, that has been broken up into to 3 main stages:Gap analysis and work definition (work packages 1 – 2)Experimental work and assessment of tooling (work packages 3-4)Reporting and dissemination of findings (work package 5) The aim is to deliver the work relevant to H100 Fife for Q1 2022, outlining specific work instructions. The deliverables are: WP1: Define requirements for H100 Fife The outcome from this work package will be an agreed format for the H100 Fife network purge plan for commissioning to Hydrogen. WP2: Review of theory, standards, practices and procedures Outcomes of this work will be an increased understanding of critical aspects to investigate to provide purge assurance for H100 Fife. WP3: Experimental Lab work Outcomes of this work will be knowledge of purge efficiency for a range of pipe diameters and orientations along with determination of the flow rates to ensure efficient network purging. WP4: Third party field trials Outcomes of this work pack will be a site demonstration of a full-scale network purge on the PE180 pipe. If it is not possible to carry out this work at Kiwa, then alternatives sites will be sought and this may require additional funding. WP5: Reporting and dissemination of findings Alongside monthly meetings, and standard interim reporting, there will be a number of key documents that are delivered at various points during this project. Recommended purge procedures for the H100 Fife project Recommended purge tooling for the H100 Fife project HSE considerations for mitigation of extreme cases, this could include the implications of partial purging the system and subsequent dispersion leading to homogenous flammable and possibly stoichiometric mixes.Final report: The Supplier will produce a comprehensive closure report in SGN format, in a structure that contains the following information: Introduction An executive summary that outlines the NIA Project deliverables and outputs Recommendations Further work (if required) Project background The Suppliers background and qualifications Project objectivesStakeholder EngagementProject team structureDetailed project development and backgroundProject delivery Conclusions Recommendations
Abstract	There are significant differences between methane and hydrogen, in particularly the very low density of hydrogen that mean the purging processes and procedures need to be reviewed to ensure safe purging of the network. There are a number of challenges with transposing the current purging procedures for Methane directly to Hydrogen. This project will investigate the purging processes for commissioning and conversion of network pipes with hydrogen. It specifically aims to identify the conditions and procedures required to successfully carry out direct purging from air to hydrogen without the need to resort to using large volumes of inert gases such as nitrogen. The aim is to deliver the work relevant to H100 Fife for Q1 2022, outlining specific work instructions.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	19/10/22