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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA2_SGN0034
Title	High Volume Gas Escapes Tool – update for hydrogen
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen, Hydrogen transport and distribution) 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
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 March 2023
End Date	31 May 2023
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£14,930
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	South East
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , SGN (99.999%)
	Other Investigator	Project Contact , SGN - Southern England (0.001%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , SGN (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA2_SGN0034
Objectives	"The project consists of a technical solution with the following milestones as outlined below: Work-Package 1: Define requirements for hydrogen networks.This work package will determine the scope and expected outcomes in the tool for hydrogen networks, identifying concerning areas, required inputs and needed information to develop the new model programme accordingly to upgrade the HVGET. Work-Package 2: Development of the new model.In this work package, an extensive review of theory, standards, practices and existing procedures will be carried out to ensure data and measurement quality. The work will then develop a methodology suitable for the hydrogen gas stream. Work-Package 3: Reporting, dissemination of findings and project closure.The upgraded methodology will be provided by DNV as an addendum to the original technical report. This final stage is to ensure that all management services including the final report are supplied as specified in NIA project deliverables." "The switch from natural gas to hydrogen will require a review of the end-to-end processes, including tools and procedures used to characterise and control high-volume gas escapes ensuring that current practices are fit for purpose with 100% hydrogen. Considering this, the methodology of the HVGET needs to be updated to perform quantitative and qualitative risk assessments of the hydrogen gas stream.This technology, first developed in 2018/19 by DNV (then DNV GL), is an Excel-based tool for SGN to predict indicative ignition distances associated with high-volume gas escapes from gas distribution pipelines. The methodology for calculating the hazard distance was based on DNVs PERisk and FROST computer packages but the model is based on relatively rich natural gas. The scope of the project includes the identification of required data to design the new methodology based on the new hydrogen network requirements, revision of the theory, standards and existing practices, calculation of the model suitable for 100% hydrogen, and update of the technical report.Operating conditions and atmospheric conditions will be pre-defined in the model whilst input parameters comprised will be:Pipeline materialPipeline diameterFailure modePipeline pressureGround conditionsWind conditions The new methodology seeks to predict two hazard distances used to define three ignition zones named the “Red”, “Amber”, and “Green” zones, which are displayed graphically in the model as a virtual map to help our engineers safely plan their activities and avoid damage while carrying out a range of work according to the established procedures.The updated methodology of the HVGET will bring about a tool that might allow the users to select 100% Hydrogen as an input parameter. In addition, an update will be carried out on the base (natural gas) model to account for an improved understanding of below-ground releases. If a dual escape (a blend of hydrogen and natural gas) takes place the model will be run for both types of gas composition and the worst-case scenario will get set. This proposal specifically aims to identify the new conditions to produce the procedures required to successfully respond to emergencies and lessen the risk of explosion/injury to the public and our operatives. As a result, it will support our operatives to make the workspace safer, reduce the emergency response time, and safely stop gas loss while allowing SGN to ensure the continuity of procedures and practices of emergency response in the event of gas escapes.The updated methodology will allow an upgrade on the HVGET tool that will be beneficial for the H100 Fife project, which will become the first network worldwide that lays the foundations for switching carbon-emitting natural gas for a zero-carbon fuel while allowing three hundred residents to use 100% hydrogen for heating and cooking and pioneering the low-carbon economy. A key element of this project is to provide a highly reliable gas supply and to demonstrate the excellent performance of our emergency response service. " The objective of this project is to update the methodology of an existing bundled software to get the option to select 100% Hydrogen as an input parameter and the mapping of the three ignition zones (Red, Amber and Green) pointing out hazard distances for high-volume gas escapes including the update of the technical report.
Abstract	"The differences between natural gas and hydrogen, such as density and combustion characteristics, mean the dynamics of hydrogen in high-volume gas escapes needs to be analysed to ensure safe network interventions. Nowadays, Gas Operatives utilise a tool named “High Volume Gas Escapes Tool” (HVGET) to predict indicative ignition distances associated with high-volume natural gas escapes. This project seeks to upgrade the methodology of the HVGET to make it suitable for hydrogen gas streams. This project will provide Gas Operatives with an efficient tool to predict and identify distances of explosive atmospheres ensuring customer supply continuity and lessening the risk of explosion/injury to the public and operatives.The upgraded methodology will be ready by Q2 2023."
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	12/10/23