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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_WWU_072
Title	Project MOLE (Minimising Our Launch Excavations)
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 Wales and West Utilities
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 March 2021
End Date	01 March 2022
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£42,133
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	Wales
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Wales and West Utilities (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_WWU_072
Objectives	The project will seek to develop a new design of surface level frame to safely secure the mole for launch. This will help to reduce the size of the excavation required and enable the operatives to do any alignment and adjustment of the mole from the surface. The solution could also be universal across multiple mole sizes, reducing the need to have a specific cradle for each mole. The proposed design project is broken down into four main phases: Kick Off and Requirements Capture Mechanical Design Manufacturing Routes Investigation Prototype Manufacture and Test The project partner, Frazer-Nash, will design the frame to help alleviate the problems faced by operatives using current equipment, whilst optimising the overall size and weight. A prototype test frame will be manufactured and Frazer-Nash will test this in a representative environment and in the field. As well as the design work, Frazer-Nash will carry out an investigation into manufacturing routes to facilitate follow on work and the production of a low unit cost solution. After conducting the functional testing, the test frame will undergo further field testing. Stage 1 Formalise a set of requirements, which have been agreed with the key project stakeholders. Observe moling operation with current equipment via video supplied by WWU to be viewed and discussed in a follow up meeting Formalise a set of requirements, which have been agreed with the key project stakeholders. Stage 2 Choose a preferred concept design to be taken forward, which has been agreed with the key project stakeholders. Produce a detailed design and appropriate documentation to enable manufacture. Stage 3 Undertake an investigation into manufacturing routes to facilitate potential future production. Stage 4 Manufacture a prototype frame Conduct functional testing of the prototype Conduct field trial Review testing Produce a final report The objective of the project is to design, develop and manufacture a full scale, fully-functional and safe prototype demonstrator frame suitable for testing in a real environment using standard impact moling equipment
Abstract	A project to design, build and test a new cradle for a ground mole. The new cradle will sit outside of the trench, thus reducing excavations and make the operation safer.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	19/10/22