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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGGD0025
Title	The impact of biomethane on odorisation in gas distribution networks
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%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics) 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 February 2014
End Date	01 January 2015
Duration	13 months
Total Grant Value	£31,973
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Cadent Gas (100.000%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGGD0025
Objectives	Gas distribution networks need to demonstrate that the gas they are transporting is GS(M)R compliant. This project aims to identify and quantify the influence of various components of biomethane on perceived gas odour and devise corrective actions as necessary to ensure distributed gas meets all statutory requirements. If successful, the project will determine which sources of biomethane are most likely to influence gas odour, allowing corrective measures to be applied as necessary in a targeted manner. This will be an enabler for further work under the same initiative to identify the biomethane components most likely to influence odour, quantify the effects and produce a reliable rhinology procedure for biomethane/natural gas mixtures.
Abstract	Biomethane entry to the UK gas distribution networks is about to increase significantly. Biomethane can, depending on the biogas feedstock, contain components that are difficult and/or expensive to remove completely from the biomethane but have significant potential to influence the perceived odour of the gas in the local network. Some European countries have been accepting biomethane into their gas networks for several years and have experience of problems caused by biomethane components impacting on the odour of distributed gas. In the Netherlands, biomethane-to-grid projects have needed to be isolated from the gas network as a direct result of the presence of uncharacteristic odour in the local network downstream of the biomethane site. The characteristic odour of natural gas serves as the prime means for detection of leaks by the general public, and in the UK is a requirement of the Gas Safety (Management) Regulations. The addition of biomethane to gas distribution networks has the potential to have serious implications for public safety. The degree and nature of the influence of biomethane components on gas odour is currently not fully known, and is likely to be complex given the variety of chemical species present. Additionally in the UK all networks have some experience of unexplained odour fade/masking events that are not biomethane related. Examining the causes of odour masking from biomethane and finding solutions to the problem will assist in addressing future low odour problems in all UK networks. This project will be undertaken collaboratively via the European Gas Research Group (GERG) and will include the collation of all relevant data and experience from the project participants including general odour masking events in natural gas networks. DNV GL are the UK representatives for this GERG project and will be proposing that all testing on UK gas odorant is carried out at the DNV GL Rhinology Centre in the UK, thereby ensuring the project is appropriate to the UK gas industry. In addition, DNV GL will seek to include rhinologists from all UK gas networks in the odour chamber tests.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	17/12/18