Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGN_279 | |
| Title | ServiSWAP | |
| 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 June 2020 | |
| End Date | 01 March 2022 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £182,904 | |
| 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_279 |
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| Objectives | (NIA_NGN_238). The technology and learning from this project will be used to develop the enclosure formodifying service pipework to target zero interruption service transfer.The focus is aimed to target properties where gas customers may be self-isolating or shieldingand property access is not feasible. A single property that is unable to be accessed can stop the mainsreplacement activities as potentially vulnerable isolating customers cannot be left without gas supply.The methodology here is aimed to enable the transfer of these service as part of the Repex program by enabling live service transfer using NGN project zero flexible enclosures.The key concepts that can be transferred from project zero are the flexible enclosure manufacturing, thesealing methodology and the novel seal arrangement that allows a gas tight seal against variable andpoor condition pipework. Both elements of the core technology are likely to need development to beapplied to the exhumed service pipe.The enclosure is aimed to provide a solution to support the current response to the COVID-19 outbreakbut can be further applied to provide a solution to minimise the impact and inconvenience to customersduring ordinary mains replacement works. The aim is to target 20 & 25mm PE with rapid concept development to test the enclosures before detaileddesign and solutions for metallic materials are completed. Progression will be made first with PE before being transferred to these more challenging metallic materials. The work will be undertaken in four stages, the forecasted activities are expected to take around 4months to complete as an expedited undertaking. This is subject to manufacturing and componentavailability, field trials timelines and key design assumptions and challenges. Each Stage willdemonstrate successful development and progression. The project will be delivered through the following outline:Stage 1 – Concept design and concept demonstratorThis stage covers the rapid development of a concept demonstrator for the ServiSWAP encapsulationbag. The key aim is to produce an enclosure to meet the size, shape and sealing requirements of theservice pipes specifications.Stage 2 – Detailed designThis stage of the project completes further development of the rapid demonstrators to overcome specifictechnical challenges of the pipe classes and the connection methodologies.Stage 3 – Manufacture, assembly and debuggingThis stage of the project completes the manufacturing and assembly of five ServiSWAP systems.Stage 4 – Testing, Trialling and refinementThis stage of the project completes laboratory and field testing of the rapid concept demonstrators andthe detailed designed units. | |
| Abstract | Current methods for service transfers during mains replacement require that the gas customer is isolatedfrom the gas supply during works. This disconnection requires access to the property, interruption tosupply and a purge and relight.This proposal outlines the development of ServiSWAP, a technique and equipment to enable the transferof services without interruption to gas supplies and minimal access to the property. The technique isenvisioned as a solution to reduce customer contact time and maintain social distancing requirementsduring customer facing works. This solution is particularly applicable to polyethylene services and couldbe developed to target more challenging steel, copper and lead services. | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 02/11/22 | |
