Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGN_198 | |
| Title | Clean to Green | |
| 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 Northern Gas Networks |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 June 2017 | |
| End Date | 01 June 2018 | |
| Duration | 12 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £111,888 | |
| 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_198 |
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| Objectives | Provide an accurate and practical way of quantifying the waste material to be removed from gas storage tanks. To obtain a detailed measure of the constituents contained within the waste material prior to demolition so that the best route for recycling or disposal can be identified in advance which will allow for accurate cost analysis of disposal. To develop a cleaning system which removes the need to send men into holding tanks to undertake manual cleaning and remove hazards associated with confined space working. Successful quantification level of sludge within a gas holder prior to starting the demolition projectAbility to determine the sludge constituent within a gas holder prior to starting the demolition projectAbility to decontaminate a gas holder eliminating man entry and working from heightAbility to undertake a decontamination programme similar that that of the mothballing programme | |
| Abstract | NGN have a requirement to demolish all remaining gas holders by the end of 2025. During each holder demolition there are various unknown factors that can affect the cost and duration, these are outlined below. When decontaminating Gas holders the biggest factor that will determine the methodology we use, the project duration, and therefore the cost is the volume of waste contaminant. It is vital that we know how much of this contaminant is in the tank and where it is located in order to effectively plan the cleaning process. As there are very limited entry positions in the roof the only way to measure the contaminant is to use a dip tape or stick to physically feel the sludge. However, there are large areas of the tank which are not accessible and the perception of what is or isn’t contaminant results in very inaccurate data. NGN plan to develop existing technology currently not used in the UK gas industry to address the following uncertainties when carrying out gas holder demolition. o Unable to quantify and sample the waste material in a gas holder at the outset of a project leaving the business at risk once the project commences and is past the point of no returno Unable to successfully clean and decontaminate a gas holder without putting men in a confined space or working at heightOnce the volume and location of the sludge has been established we can then look at the most practical and efficient methods of removal. The aim of any sludge removal system is to minimize man entry and improve efficiency. NGN intend to trial a developed range of nozzle recirculation or washing systems as well as several different hydraulically driven units that are either manned or remotely operated. The hope for this project is for NGN to move away from using operational staff to enter Gas Holders to carry out the cleaning process and to have the equipment to accurately identify the levels of contaminant within each holder. The true benefit of successful development will be to clean the gas holding tanks without the need for manual effort / man entry. The development of a successful / practical solution will negate the need for man entry into the tanks via erected scaffolding staircases. The gas holding tanks for this trial have been previously decommissioned and purged via gas to nitrogen and nitrogen to air. Ventilation / Access hatches will be cutting into the roof crowns and access stairs will be constructed to allow access to the internal tank floor. Robotic camera / suction cleaning equipment will be lowered into the tank to perform the measuring, cleaning and removal of water, oil and sludge which this then put through on site mobile treatment systems and the residual material removed from site for recycling of waste disposal depending on the constituents of the waste product. The innovative / development will focus on the benefits / limitations of the trawler equipment, testing flow / pumping rates related to the suction capabilities as well as the kits ability to maneuvers around the tank construction and characteristics / obstructions of the tank design. It is anticipated that these areas will need "hands on" expertise to fine tune the necessary development to achieve success hence the need for man entry during the development phases of the cleaning.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 | 09/08/18 | |
