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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_CAD0056
Title	Field Trials For Hydrogen Blended Gas Detection Equipment
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	PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 50%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 50%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Cadent Gas
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 March 2020
End Date	01 August 2023
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£41,313
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Cadent Gas (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Cadent Gas (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_CAD0056
Objectives	1. Development of G23 – Develop a G23 document to help facilitate a rigorous approach to evaluation of blended gas detection equipment and requirements for field trials2. Operational Field Trial – The evaluation exercise will seek to establish the performance of the new equipment to ensure accuracy, fitness for purpose, ease of use and durability. The instruments will be enabled with oxygen and CO sensors and the effectiveness of this functionality will be evaluated in conjunction with the blended gas sensors. The User Acceptance process should prove the instruments fitness for purpose for the following Operations activities:• Commissioning mains/services - Purging to gas (2 consecutive readings of more than 90% GIA)• De-commissioning mains/services - Purging to air (2 successive readings of 10% LEL or less)• Bar hole surveys• Appliance checks in domestic and commercial premises• Walking surveys• Atmosphere checks prior to use of non-intrinsically safe equipment (20% LEL or less)The operational field trial will include testing at Keele University to prove the accuracy of the modified Bascom Turner gas detection instrument when sampling blended gas. This will be done by taking blended gas samples from rhinology boxes located in the blended gas network. These samples will be cross referenced with the on-site gas chromatograph. Cadent staff and operational teams who currently use gas detection equipment will have the opportunity to test the new equipment in field conditions and raise any queries and/or concerns which will be collated into final G23 documentation. 3. Laboratory testing – Phase 1 • Gain familiarity with the detector. • Assess and analyse Bascom Turners own test data. • Re-commission test apparatus and order test gases if necessary. Set-up test apparatus for ppm tests. • Laboratory testing of the existing first instruments flammable gas sensors to confirm that they will operate accurately with little chance of false measurements: a. Testing of all the flammable gas sensors against NG ranging from parts per million (ppm) concentrations through percentage lower explosive levels (%LEL) to greater than 90% gas in air (GIA) concentrations. • Repeat tests of the above but with a range of H2 in NG content that will include between 5% to 20%. • Laboratory testing of the first final prototype instrument, (possibly with other instruments if they are available) to confirm the effectiveness of the CO sensor isolation system and O2 and H2S sensors if present. This will involve a limited selection of the flammable gas tests above and bump testing of individual sensors to CO, reduced O2 and H2S. Phase 2 • Further tests can be carried out if required. These could include sensor cross-sensitivity testing (e.g. does the H2 sensor respond to H2 or H2S?), a wider range of O2, CO or H2S concentrations to supplement the bump tests above, or sensor recovery tests. The scope of the process proposed is to undertaken a rigorous field trial programme, consisting of operative-based field tests and laboratory testing. This will provide the necessary evidence base to holistically assess the suitability of a blended gas detector for use by operatives. The work outlined above will seek to :• Remove the requirement for logistical constraints for gas detection on blended gas networks. • Enable the adoption of future-proof equipment within GDN operations, facilitating the transition to a low-carbon future.• Stimulate thegas detection market to develop further equipment that is hydrogen-ready, ensuring a competitive market environment to the benefit of consumers.
Abstract	1. Development of G23 – Develop a G23 document to help facilitate a rigorous approach to evaluation of blended gas detection equipment and requirements for field trials2. Operational Field Trial – The evaluation exercise will seek to establish the performance of the new equipment to ensure accuracy, fitness for purpose, ease of use and durability. The instruments will be enabled with oxygen and CO sensors and the effectiveness of this functionality will be evaluated in conjunction with the blended gas sensors.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	02/11/22