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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGN_109
Title	Gas Detection Dogs
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	BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science) 80%; PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry) 20%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Northern Gas Networks
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 October 2015
End Date	01 April 2016
Duration	6 months
Total Grant Value	£5,194
Industrial Sectors	Technical Consultancy
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_109
Objectives	The objective of this work is to: 1 Confirm a dog can be trained to detect the odour that is added to domestic natural gas systems. 2 Determine whether a dog can detect the odour at a concentration equal to the level added to domestic natural gas systems. 3 Evaluate whether a dog can detect quantities of the odour which is significantly less than that found in domestic natural gas systems. 1 Confirmation the dogs can be trained to detect the odour that is added to domestic natural gas systems2 Confirmation a dog can detect the odour at a concentration equal to the level added to domestic natural gas systems. 3 Confirmation a dog can detect quantities of the odour which is significantly less than that found in domestic natural gas systems.
Abstract	Leakage detection, pipeline or asset condition compliance methods in the GB have remained, predominantly, unchanged for decades. No disruptive innovation has ever been introduced to this highly critical area due to the very nature of our risk averse environment and regulatory nature of the energy sector. Disruptive innovation, by its very nature, challenges our concepts on how processes are carried out and engineers previously relied on proven technology to provide evidence for action. Dogs are used in many sectors, Police, UK Border Agency, Fire & Rescue, Health, Environment and well as guiding the blind and assisting those with poor hearing. In all these cases they have been proven to improve detection rates and provide valuable payback to all who have come to rely on their valuable skills. Dogs have an acute sense of smell, and can be trained to detect low concentrations of vapour, accordingly, they could offer a pipeline leak detection and location capability to pipeline operators. In addition, they could also provide Networks with a unique service, currently unavailable, across a wide range of activities, including stakeholder engagement. Technology remains the major catalyst for change in the gas industry, but sometimes human innovation is nowhere near as efficient as nature. Whilst the idea may seem odd, we are convinced this would have been the same reaction before dogs where introduced to those industries mentioned above. Without a significant investment in research, development and a detailed demonstration trial, GDNs would never be in a position to validate, in GB, whether dogs could add value to our processes. It is proposed to first undertake a low risk feasibility study to confirm if it is worth progressing into a more detailed project. Natural gas is odourless and the domestic gas supply is dosed with mercaptan to assist in leak detection. This additive contains sulphur and is detectable in very small quantities. If the feasibility study proves successful, a further project would be established looking to train and use dogs for a wide range of gas network activities.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	15/08/18