Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGN_057 | |
| Title | Tyne Tunnel guided wave trial | |
| 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%; |
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| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given Northern Gas Networks |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 January 2014 | |
| End Date | 01 January 2014 | |
| Duration | 2 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £7,182 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Energy | |
| Region | Yorkshire & Humberside | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , Northern Gas Networks (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGN_057 |
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| Objectives | The objectives are: To conduct a 100% inspection of the Tyne Tunnel pipelines for the first timeTo provide categorised rankings of any tunnel pipeline defects making recommendations either for no action, further investigation or repairTo validate that the interpretation of Method results as developed in the oil & gas environment translates to the gas distribution network environmentTo understand if the Method has the potential for other NIA projectsTo understand the value or need for the permanent fitment of Method sensors in locations that are particularly hard to access outside the window of opportunity in this Project Confidence that the total lengths of previously pipelines uninspected pipelines can now be efficiently inspected and more objectively classified for riskA report that confirms that all readings obtained by in the trial can be interpreted and all readings can be identified | |
| Abstract | Historically UK Gas Networks have had limited means to inspect non-piggable pipelines. Non-piggable pipelines are pipelines where an ‘inspection pig’ could not be used due to obstructions in the pipe (bends) or the lack of provision of ‘pig traps’. In such circumstances the network operator is limited to visual inspection and or localised non destructive testing with an assumption/extrapolation made from these results. These are open to error and misinterpretation and only provide limited information. Additionally the location of the pipeline (river, canal, motorway crossings, and tunnels) can make the logistics and access of any form of existing inspection technique difficult. One specific location is in the Tyne Tunnel where there are two 12" steel pipelines at intermediate pressure where access is extremely difficult and where the impact of failure would be extremely highPrevious licence formulas didn’t require GDNs to classify these pipelines. They were either left uninspected or replaced when a problem occurred, but since the introduction of RIIO-GD1, GDNs have a responsibility to replace or risk score their assets. There are three methods of inspection currently available to NGN to inspect these types of non-piggable pipelines: Visual Monitoring - Sections of pipeline are exposed and visually inspected. This method can be effective for critical sections but as the pipe needs to be accessible; excavations and removal of wrap must be carried out. Only local external damage or local corrosion can be identified. Coupon Sampling - This method is a direct sampling method, where a section of pipe is exposed to the same conditions as the line pipe and weighed/examined at intervals. Coupons are usually removed at critical points in the system and should give a worst case result. They will not identify corrosion in a system caused by, for example, external damage. This process is invasive and the removal of samples can inadvertently introduce further risk. Standard Ultrasonic Wall Thickness Measurement - these measurements are very often used to determine the extent of corrosion, or depth of damage, during pipeline inspection projects. Again, the pipe surface must be exposed for the test to be carried out. Wall thickness measurements at a specific location can be misleading as the results are taken locally and these cannot really give an accurate picture of the condition of the complete length of the pipeline. Access issues in the Tyne Tunnel including significant encasement of pipework in concrete makes it impossible to use the above techniques, and so there is currently no method of inspecting or objectively risk assessing the pipelines at this location The Method to use the technique would be as follows: The Method uses bursts of ultrasound that are fired into the pipe wall material. The ultrasound waves are bounced back by features of interest or faults. Specially developed software enables the user to interpret the information which gives information on the nature and location of the feature enabling information such as pipe wall thickness, corrosion, cracks or design features to be identified. To use the Method the ultrasound device is clamped at a convenient exposed point on the pipeline. A "shot" ultrasound wave is fired along the pipeline in both directions, (referred to as front shot and back shot). The readings are immediately recorded on to an on-site visual screenwhere the readings are interpreted. The readings include the length inspected assisting the operator in selecting the location along the pipeline for the equipment to be set up for the next "shot" wave. In best case scenarios one shot may cover up to a kilometre. On short pipelines only one "shot" will be required using the GUL system (this will be confirmed during the proposed trial). Using guided wave technology, long lengths of pipeline can be screened for corrosion or cracks, with minimal excavation. The Method is complemented by the other techniques listed in the Problem definition, such that if the Method identifies the locality of an issue, that assuming there is access to that specific point further local investigation can take place.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 | |
