Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_SGN0016 | |
| Title | Starline/Marwin Valve Bolt Replacement | |
| 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 SGN |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 December 2013 | |
| End Date | 01 October 2017 | |
| Duration | 46 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £75,149 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Energy | |
| Region | South East | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , SGN (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_SGN0016 |
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| Objectives | The objectives of the project are to: Design and develop proof of concept of a solution which enables the bolts in a 1" Starline/Marwin valve to be replaced whilst pressurized. Develop working prototype and carry out off site testing. Carry out a field trial to comprehensively review the new solution in a live gas environment. Carry out a detailed cost benefit analysis for field trials. Provide relevant information to the other Network Licensees. The success criteria for the project are to: Consider a criterion relating to development of the product as well as practices. Develop operational practices to support the replacement of corroded bolts on 1" Starline/Marwin valves whilst pressurised. Identify the extent to which bolt replacement using the new Method minimises the impact and loss of supply to the network. Produce and disseminate learning around the expected cost and time reductions. In order to determine whether this project has been successful or not at various stages, the project must progress through a number of stage gate milestones. SGN’s Project Manager will evaluate the performance against the requirements before approving progress to the next stage. | |
| Abstract | Scotia Gas Networks (SGN) has identified that some of the bolts on Starline/Marwin ball valves across their Scotland license area are suffering from corrosion and are in need of replacement. These ball valves are small in size and are used in purge and vent lines on Pressure Reduction Installations (PRI) operating at high pressure (up to 70bar). The conventional way to safely replace corroded bolts would be to depressurise the pipework, isolate the stream and swap the existing bolts for new ones. This is known as stream isolation and replacement and is relatively low cost and non-disruptive. However, due to their location on the pipework, many Starline/Marwin valves cannot be isolated and replaced in this manner. Therefore, the only way to replace the majority of Starline/Marwin bolts would be to isolate and depressurise the entire PRI, which is an extremely costly and time consuming operation, due to the fact that isolation may (on certain sites) involve an interruption to supply in excess of 20,000 customers. A partial solution has been to encase the corroded valve with a clamp, which helps prevent further corrosion. This clamp costs approximately £10,000 with a 2 month lead time as every one to date has been a bespoke design. For such reasons, SGN are looking to develop a more advanced solution. The new solution must be less costly, less time consuming and allow the bolts to be replaced safely whilst they remain pressurised and in compliance with SGN’s obligations under Pressure System Safety Regulations (PSSR). SGN will employ technical consultants, DNV GL, to design, produce and test a prototype for a full bolt replacement solution which could potentially be used to replace badly corroded bolts on 1" Starline/Marwin valves whilst they remain pressurised (at pressures greater than 7 bar)The prototype solution will be tested and proved in a live working environment in SGN. The solution will allow the Network Licensee to comply with PSSR obligations and to carry out the replacement safely and at a lower cost than currently permitted through existing methods.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 | 14/12/18 | |
