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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGGD0047
Title	Jointing Techniques for PE Gas Pipelines up to 10 bar
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 (Metallurgy and Materials) 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 February 2015
End Date	01 January 2016
Duration	11 months
Total Grant Value	£87,933
Industrial Sectors	Technical Consultancy
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Cadent Gas (100.000%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGGD0047
Objectives	The objective of the project is to identify state of art (conception, innovative research and commercialised) plastic pipe mechanical jointing methods that could be utilized in the UK gas network to improve pipeline performance. A report that captures any suitable products or jointing systems that could be developed, evaluated and implemented to give improved joint performance on >=63mm PE pipelines in the UK.
Abstract	A major threat to the integrity of Polyethylene (PE) pipelines is poor fusion jointing that can result in failure of the joint and hence leakage. Fusion joints which are formed on site during construction are a potential weak point in the pipeline, which when subject to axial or bending stresses caused by thermal expansion or contraction, or movement will increase the risk of failure and hence escape of gas. There are three main types of joint that all have specific potential modes of failure: Butt fusion, the faces of the two pipe ends are heated before being forced together and held together under pressure, to allow a fully circumferential fusion joint to form. Butt fusion joints may fail due to construction defects. Electro fusion Pipe Coupler, the two pipe ends are inserted in opposite ends of a PE socket containing an integral heating element, which is energised to melt PE material in the coupler/pipe interface, causing a fusion joint around the outer wall of the pipe upon cooling. Failures of electro fusion couplers typically occur due to poor pipe end preparation (scraping, trimming and cleaning), contamination at the joint interface, excessive pipe ovality or poor alignment of pipe ends in the couplers. Electro fusion (EF) saddle joint. A saddle containing a heating element is held on the exterior of the pipe and energised, fusing the saddle to the parent pipe. A hole is then drilled to allow a connection onto the main. Electro fusion saddle joints typically fail due to poor pipe surface preparation or inadequate clamping/restraint during the fusion cycle A technology research study will be undertaken with the objective of identifying alternate innovative plastic pipe jointing technologies for jointing PE pipelines. A study will be undertaken to gather key market intelligence through technology surveys in order to compile a global wide inventory of innovative alternative plastic mechanical jointing techniques. Identified candidate jointing techniques will then be screened and those with design attributes suitable for PE piping gas distribution up to and including 10 bar will be subjected to a technology assessment and ranked against current fusion technology. Progression to developing a field trial with product providers will be reviewed as part of the final report.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	31/08/18