Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGN_119 | |
| Title | Alternative ECV Exchange Kit | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas) 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 Northern Gas Networks |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 March 2016 | |
| End Date | 01 September 2016 | |
| Duration | 6 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £17,800 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Technical Consultancy | |
| Region | Yorkshire & Humberside | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Northern Gas Networks (99.999%) |
| Other Investigator | Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (0.001%) |
|
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGN_119 |
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| Objectives | The Project seeks to prove that the intended solution is able, through trialling, to demonstrate that it is a technically feasible, more efficient and customer friendly alternative to current methods of performing an exchange on a semi-concealed meter box ECV. Following completion of the development and trial of the prototype product: The GDNs would be in a position to decide with confidence whether the concept is technically capable of performing the desired taskThe product would be ready to take forward to the internal GDN approval, manufacture and roll-out | |
| Abstract | An ECV exchange would usually be carried out when there is a gas escape or when there is gas being let off by the valve itself. Currently exchanging an ECV on a property with a semi-concealed meter requires isolating a customer’s gas supply. This involves a two man team digging on the customer’s property to access the service pipe and squeeze off the gas supply. Once the flow of gas has been stopped it is then possible to safely exchange the ECV and carry out a purge and relight. This whole process is very time consuming and involves interrupting the customer’s gas supply for around four hours and in some cases it can be longer, not to mention the cost of manpower and reinstatement. There is currently a meter exchange kit for use on standard (i. e. straight-through as opposed to angled) ECVs but it cannot be used on a semi-concealed meter as the kit contains stoppers of a rigid construction which will not bend around the angled ECV. This Project aims to develop and trial a kit suitable initially for angled ECVs but potentially for straight-through valves also. This will allow for a simple above ground isolation of the gas flow slightly upstream of the ECV without the need to excavate and reinstate. This Project is the result of Call for Innovation led by NGN in June 2015 to identify appropriate suppliers and viable solutions to the above problem. Following a process of market research the supplier intends to design, develop and trial a solution to meet the following initial design criteria as set out in the Call for Innovation: Easy to fit and removeBe used by a single operativeRe-useableBe commercially available at a comparative price point to that of the kit used for straight-through ECVsThe intended solution will consist of a hand pump and an inflatable stopper that can be inserted through the ECV and isolate upstream. Initial designs and prototypes will require development to demonstrate how the product will perform in the field.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 21/03/18 | |
