Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_SGN0015 | |
| Title | Pneumatic PE Pushing Machine | |
| 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 (Metallurgy and Materials) 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 SGN |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 August 2013 | |
| End Date | 01 January 2015 | |
| Duration | 19 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £110,199 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Technical Consultancy | |
| Region | South East | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , SGN (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_SGN0015 |
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| Objectives | The objectives of this project are to: Produce a machine that will impart enough force to insert PE around 3 easy bends without damaging the PE and with no safety risk to the user. Remove the risk to the operative relaying the service of any physical injury or strain. Request Pipetech manufacture two working models for testing in purpose built test rigs. Have the service pipe used for the tests independently assessed to ensure the new service insertion techniques does not have any detrimental effects on the pipe once insertedSGN to evaluate suitability of method against traditional techniques of service replacement and issue approval for the production of a prototype of each unit covering all of the service diameters in question. SGN to carry out field trials to comprehensively review the new equipment and provide a technical report for the other Licensees to disseminate the outcomes of the field trial. The success criteria for this project are to trial and test the method against the traditional methods currently used to compare its performance in terms of: safetyenvironmental impactsefficiencyproductivitycost | |
| Abstract | SGN have been allowed a total of £1,804. 1m for its mains replacement programme (Repex) operations throughout the GD1 price control. Traditional service replacement has involved open cutting i. e. excavation to cut off the old metallic service at the mains and trench a new route for the new Polyethylene (PE) service pipe, to a new meter position. Copper pipe is then used to reconnect the supply to the existing system, which is associated with high costs and disruption to the customer. Where applicable operatives will instead replace the service by manually inserting PE pipe into the existing steel, reducing the time taken and costs associated with a full relay of the service using the traditional open cut replacement method. However, pushing by hand is limited by an operative’s own strength and generally provides only enough force to insert around one easy bend. This is not sufficient to replace services back to original meter position and over the years this method has resulted in both back and upper arm injuries. In the 1980’s a piece of equipment was initially developed to aid service insertion with PE. The equipment was used in small quantities a number of years ago, but due to limitations with the design it was never developed further to cover a broader range of service sizes reducing its use in the field. In order to avoid the high cost associated with traditional service replacement and the strain on operatives, the aim of this project is to provide a solution that will allow almost every service to be inserted and replaced back to the original meter position. This project is concerned with exploring the potential for technical alternatives to service replacement techniques currently used within the gas industry. Throughout GD1 there will be greater focus towards service insertion and this project will seek to develop a solution that allows licensees to maximize their opportunities to replace services back to the original meter position and eliminate the costs associated with moving the gas meter, excavation in the customer’s garden and reducing the disruption to our customers. In order to do this SGN will work with Pipetech Pipeline Technology Limited to develop the old style of Pushing Machines incorporating a new design and range of pipe sizes, with field trials carried out to compare the method against traditional methods of service replacement in terms of safety, environment, productivity and cost. To ensure the technique can be utilised as often as possible, SGN have identified the need for service pipe insertion for the following pipe sizes: 20mm PE will be inserted in 1" Steel pipe25mm PE in 1 " Steel pipe32mm PE in 1 " Steel pipe40mm in 2" Steel PipeConsideration will be given to minimising the noise and Joule Thompson cooling effect of venting the compressed air used to provide the force required to insert the service pipe, and the use of the machine in a confined space inside a customers house under the stairs where a large amount of existing gas meters are found to be located.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 | 09/10/18 | |
