Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGGD0037 | |
| Title | TD Williams On Guided Wave Non Destructive Testing Inspection For High Rise Buildings | |
| 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 Cadent Gas |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 July 2014 | |
| End Date | 01 January 2015 | |
| Duration | 8 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £114,154 | |
| 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_NGGD0037 |
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| Objectives | The objectives are to -Prove that the smaller guided wave device design overcomes the barriers experienced in the 2007 trialDemonstrate to what extent the riser pipework can be assessed objectively, and with minimum disruption to customersDemonstrate that the results of this version of a guided wave device can provide a valuable resource for riser replacement management. The success criteria for the project are: A report confirming that guided wave technology has the potential be used to prioritise HRB service replacement, so focusing operational costs on the assets at risk and deferring investment, thus managing costs efficiently. Confidence that the total lengths of each riser has been inspected and there were no pipe regions that cannot be assessedA report that confirms that all readings obtained by GUL can be successfully interpreted and all readings can be identifiedEvidence that surveys can be conducted with low levels of customer disturbanceEvidence that the majority of laterals can be surveyed without the need for entering customers homesConfirmation that Guided Wave Technology can be transferred from mains inspection to HRB risers and that the results give confidence to trial the technology on other riser types in a further NIA projectThe report is in a format that can be used by tRIIO to inform their decision on the action to be taken at Kensington Heights, following the guidance laid out in LC/21 | |
| Abstract | National Grid and other GDNs are required to ensure that their assets are adequately maintained as fit for purpose. In multiple occupancy buildings our assets, the risers, are very often built in within the building, therefore a full visual assessment of that pipework is not reasonable or practical. Visual assessment results can be open to misinterpretation and localised NDT can only give details of the wall thickness loss at that one location. The Method is to use a wavemaker supplied by Guided Ultrasonics Ltd (GUL) which has been specifically developed for use in restricted access locations such as gas riser pipes in tower bocks. The GUL technology is connected to the riser at the lowest convenient point on the riser. A "shot" wave is fired along the steel work in both directions, (referred to as front shot and back shot). The readings are immediately recorded on to an on-site visual screen where the readings are interpreted. The readings include the length inspected assisting the operator in selecting the location along the pipeline for a second area for the equipment to be set up. In best case scenarios the complete vertical riser, (up to circa 50m), may be covered by one shot. There may be scenarios though where the distances covered are reduced because of certain pipe features, such as the existence of threaded joints, or particular bends. In these circumstances the inspection would need to be conducted in smaller sections (more sample points). It is expected that all individual horizontal service pipes to each property will require an individual inspection using the GUL system but this will be on a case by case basis and confirmed during the trial. As indicated above, the method may enable laterals to be assessed for condition without entering customers homes. The operator, TD Williams On has a well-developed system for categorizing the seriousness of issues identified. Any corrosion, damage or fault identified within a pipeline will have a measured score level of risk against the result, high, medium or low. If particular hot spots are identified TD Williams On would where possible inspect these particular anomalies with standard ultrasonic wall thickness measurements as a further confirmation of accuracy.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 | 17/12/18 | |
