Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGN_239 | |
| Title | Printable Pressure Sensors | |
| 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 (Computer Science and Informatics) 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 |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 September 2019 | |
| End Date | 01 March 2022 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £142,025 | |
| 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%) |
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| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_NGN_239 |
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| Objectives | The focus of the project falls into 3 parts:1. Feasibility into whether the creation of a system using HP1 Technologies (HP1T) flexible, printable, graphene-ink based pressure sensor technology can work alongside one of Radius Systems (RS) products (likely a Top Tee component)2. Deliver a fully testing working prototype3. Deliver a commercial ready product, pre-certificationThe final product aims to dramatically reduce the cost of monitoring the network, reduce the cost of maintenance and form the foundation for developing an AI solution to enable analysis of the health of the network to rapidly diagnose the location of any problems. All these elements will result in network leakages being fixed quicker, leading to cost reductions and less events resulting in a loss of supply thereby providing an increased reliability for our customers. The learnings from a successful project with NGN can then be disseminated across the entire GD Network. (GDN). The scope of the project is to develop - a. a working prototype system with RS to measure and monitor pressures within a demo installation by integrating HP1Ts printable pressure sensors into a selection of RS Top Tee connectors. The solution will specifically include an electronics and communications component to ease supply chain monitoring, maintenance activities and remote diagnostics for both system performance and levels of gas pressure.b. Test prototype using compressed air (to avoid the need for ATEX compliance as part of this project) in terms of pressure readings and network connectivity. c. create a small batch of pre-compliance commercial ready components with RSd. develop and installation, monitoring and maintenance process that is efficient and technically proven.e. Monitoring pressures up to 2 bar in a PE network.Out of Scopea. Compliance of the system with ATEX and other compliance and regulatory requirementsb. Enabling data that is generated by the sensors to feed into existing NGN systems/relevant 3rd party platformsc. Integration of temperature sensor capability into system as well as humidity and moisture sensors (and use this data to collaborate with the water companies to monitor water table information). N.B. the system can be equipped with these sensors without further design considerations – i.e. it will be a case of adding capability not designing a new concept all together.d. Implementation and roll out of a robust underground data platform that can map local networks and provide a multitude of data streams, at thousands of points within the network, in real time (incorporating AI/machine leaning technology)e. Develop sensor systems for NGN wearables and equipmentf. Integrate underground data platform with NGN wearables and equipmentg. Build wider platform and AI capabilitiesh. Adapt system for in home domestic usei. Adapt system for use in industrial water pipes as well as gas pipes j. Monitoring pressures over 2 bar in a steel networkk. Design and agree commercial model (if we choose to pursue option (4.) in question 2.9 then this will come into scopeEXTENSION - Due to the issues raised from Covid-19 and the impact on the project partners workforce there was signnificant delay to progress that has required an extenstion to the project in order for it to meet its desired outputs. • Create a printed sensor which is adapted and characterised to become integrated with existing approved network components.• Identify the best way to integrate the sensor into the component.• Design the supporting electronics to operate the sensor• Design the most effective way to communicate and store the data from the device, in particular to be able to transmit data through ground and above the surface without the need for excavation. Also, the incorporation of NFC technology• Design a way to encase all elements into the component.• Select a battery that will provide an adequate long lifespan to the system (circa 10 year)• the final developed product to be a low-cost pressure sensitive device | |
| Abstract | Currently the costs of monitoring gas pressures within the distribution network are too high and our need to measure more of the network is increasing as we begin to supply different types of gas.The UK gas infrastructure is becoming increasing complex and as such reliance on data analytics and, in the future, AI systems to inform the decision-making process will continue to grow. Providing the volume of data necessary to make better decisions will require investment and if current data acquisition systems are deployed [satellite, datalogger with GSM | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 09/11/22 | |
