go to top scroll for more

Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGN_237
Title	Integrated Graphene Based Pre-heating System phase 2
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
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 January 2019
End Date	01 November 2019
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£63,000
Industrial Sectors	Energy
Region	Yorkshire & Humberside
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Northern Gas Networks (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Northern Gas Networks (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_NGN_237
Objectives	Several projects have investigated more efficient methods of gas preheating, which has brought a lot of learning and data into a process in need of innovation. However, the long term ideal situation is to install a fit and forget heat exchanger within the pipeline, which has no internal moving parts and heats the gas without the need for a sub-process.When gas is reduced in pressure the Joules-Thompson effect causes a temperature drop of 0.5°C for each 1 bar drop. When the gas temperature and thus that of the conveying pipework and equipment falls below 0°C problems arise. The temperature below ground is very constant at about 5°C, thus pressure drops of greater than 10 Bar result in the gas temperature dropping below zero.This degree of pressure reduction and subsequent temperature loss requires the GDNs to heat the gas prior to the pressure reduction process, known as Pre-Heating.The challenge is to develop a modern, innovative, fully compliant graphene-based pre-heat solution for use on gas operational sites that is more efficient and reliable than existing systems and has in-built flexibility to either retrofit onto existing pipes or to be built into new heat exchangers.While developments are taking place in this area, Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has identified problems with new & existing technologies used for Natural Gas pre-heating. Traditional steam and water bath systems are inefficient and present a high carbon footprint. Newer electric heating systems are more efficient, but require backup generators to operate during power outages, since they require a 230V ac supply and cannot operate from the 24V dc Very Low Voltage (VLV) power supplies which are available.NGN would like to continue developments in the area of preheating, utilising new materials, remove the need for subsystem processes, install a fit and forget long term solution. This would be a large project with several key review stages. Each key stage review will be used to assess the progress and determine if funds should be released for the next phase. The development of fully compliant in-line graphene based preheating system would be a multi-staged complex project with several collaborating partners, specialists in their field, possibly over a number of years. Prior to commencing such a complex arrangement, the project partners believe this stage one theoretical assessment would provide a sound basis for future stages in NGNs long term objective.This project aims to complete a detailed theoretical assessment that will cover three main tasks and a number of sub-tasks:• Structural design requirements, energy requirements and thermal modelling.o Preliminary heat flow calculations to determine the size and power requirements of a graphene-based heater system based on the user needs (size, voltage etc).o Further testing of Haydale materials to supply data for modelling.• Computer modelling to support design calculations will be conducted and will be in two parts:o Structural and stress modelling of the new pipe / heat exchanger with an integrated graphene-based heater – this will be conducted by Haydale with input from NGN.o Electrical and thermal modelling will be conducted to determine the power requirements and thermal losses/heat transfer in the pipe – this will be conducted by a third party.• Final Review Stageo The production of a detailed final project report that summarises the findings from the project and makes comparisons with the current preheating technologies used by NGNThe modelling will both demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed development and also define the requirements from the composite pipe with an integrated graphene-based heater. Stage 1 Objectives – Preliminary Heat CalculationsPreliminary heat flow calculations to determine the most efficient size and power requirements of a graphene-based heater system based on the user needs - NGN will provide Flow, Pressure (MOP), and temperature increase requirements. Stage 2 Objectives – Test data Testing of Haydale materials to supply the empirical data required for the modelling. The test materials will be constructed sufficiently to demonstrate feasibility, i.e. number of layers and coupon dimensions. Measurements will be voltage, current, power of basic systems to feed into model.Stage 3 Objectives – Electrothermal Modelling Electrical and thermal modelling will be conducted to determine the power requirements and thermal losses/heat transfer in the pipe. Model will show the effect of input variables on the system and aim to optimise an efficient solution.Stage 4 Objectives – Product Design Structural and stress modelling of the new pipe / heat exchanger with an integrated graphene-based heater using analytical and finite element modelling. Outputs to show where any modifications may be required.Stage 5 Objectives – Final Review The production of a detailed final project report that summarises the findings from the project and makes comparisons with the current preheating technologies used by NGN
Abstract	NGN must pre heat gas at critical stages whilst distributing to overcome the Joules-Thompson effect, where by the gas temperature drops approximately 0.5°C for each Bar pressure drop.There have been two new pre-heating technologies recently introduced onto NGNs network through NIC funding:• Proheat unit• HotCat Unit These technologies are still being assessed for efficiency in comparison to existing technologies (Water Bath Heaters & Modular Boilers). At this stage, evidence that the additional requirements both in associated systems, electrical energy use and increased maintenance costs suggests that further solutions should be explored.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	08/11/22