Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGN_45 | |
| Title | Remote Water Removal System | |
| 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 October 2014 | |
| End Date | 01 January 2016 | |
| Duration | 15 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £290,000 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Information Technologies | |
| 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_45 |
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| Objectives | The objectives of this feasibility study are to: Develop appropriate technology that will easily, simply and quickly remove water from a remote locationEntry to either metallic or PE main via a small single entry point under no gas operationA single operation to locate, remove and identify entry location of water from up to 100mtrs from entry point on pressures up to 75mbar Develop a methodology of recycling gas back into the network and separating water from contaminated waterDevelop planning tools and assessment criteria to change processes for dealing with water ingressDevelop and produce specifications and management proceduresProduce documents, reports, presentations and seminars to share the learning from this project Stage One: Deliver a detailed report on the root causes, behaviours and possible solutions around water ingressAssessment of costs of existing method and potential new technological solutionStage Two The detailed success criteria will be determined largely by stage one however the expected outcomes are likely to be: A detailed report on the current methodology and approach to water extraction and hope this alternative approached aimed to resolved current issues. An assessment of current cost of extraction verse an alternative methodAdditional benefits of the use of a combined system and recommendation for future uses or development opportunitiesDetailed technical assessment and guidelines for the introduction or changes to existing policies, procedures and processes | |
| Abstract | Water entering the gas network creates significant network management issues primarily around the location of entry points, removal from the network and methods of removing its cause. Gas enters the aging cast iron low pressure system from a variety of sources as the pressure of the water exceeds the pressure inside the gas network. Detecting water ingress into pipes is extremely difficult as it prevents gas escaping our normal detection techniques cannot pinpoint the exact entry point. Water within the system creates blockages as it either fills the main system or entry smaller services this disrupts supplies to customers either individual services or multiple consumers. Internal pipe diameters can also be reduced when water enters the system causing poor pressure issues, without the network truly understanding its cause this leads to raised pressures on the low pressure to maintain supplies, this has the effect of increasing public reported escapes and increased leakage. Water entering the gas network also becomes contaminated as it travels through the aging metallic system when operators locate water and remove it from the network its disposal is an environmental issue and costly to NGN. The current method also involves releasing gas to atmosphere until the whole of the water is removed. Synthotech Limited, an innovative engineering company with a proven history of design, development, manufacture and supply services has developed a prototype system used by an overseas customer, on higher pressure networks, and never deployed in the UK before as system that could remove water in a single operation from a remote location. This technical project explores the feasibility of developing this system so that it can that it can operate on a live low pressure (below 75mbar) network with the aim of locating the point of the blockage or restriction, removing the water and then locating the point of entry in a single no gas operation. It is envisaged that the CCTV Water Extraction System will comprise of a HD camera system, an umbilical push rod method, with a suction device embedded into the front of the system. The suction device is designed to extracts the water through the umbilical push rod system. Rather than utilising the pipeline pressure to extract the water and flare the gas, the project will focused on all environmental aspects and use a novel differential pressure system to separate the water from the gas, and recycle the gas back into the network, preventing any greenhouse gas emissions. Initially this project will cover two key stages: Project Scope & Design: The development of such a system requires the development of: A detailed project specification A detailed project specificationConsider relevant StakeholdersImpact assessment on policies and proceduresCurrent data and processesDesign specification for field trial stage?Feasibility Study: Will also look into the individual system components, including a review of all other globally available technology to enhance the key aims of the methodology. The key areas are: Access to the network, including selection of entry pointsNetwork Entry, no gas entry methodologyUse on Metallic Mains on size range 3" to 12"Use on PE Pipelines on size range 75mm to 250mmOperating Network Pressure System initially limited to below 74mmTest volumes of extracted waterTrial optimum distances from remote location h. Water disposal methodologyRecycling and reinjection ofgas back into networkIn-pipe CCTV operation To ensure that this project meets the success criteria a project team will be set up to oversee the project to ensure it achieves its design objectives. This will include a project sponsor, lead technical manager and regular senior management reporting processes. Consideration will also be made during the scoping stage on the requirement to engage with a professional external project manager, with specific programme management skills.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 | 11/12/18 | |
