Portable "Gas In Ducts" Sample System

Completed

Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Civil Engineering)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
SGN

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 August 2013

01 September 2015

25 months

£118,640

Technical Consultancy

South East

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, SGN

The key objectives of this project are to design, develop and evaluate a single-line sample system, for safe area use only, enclosed in an ABS enclosure that has carry handles and inbuilt wheels to aid transportation. To achieve this the key objectives are to:

• Develop, test and review design drawings of the new equipment
• Produce and review at least one gas in line sample system
• Train SGN employees in use of the sample system
• Evaluate the performance of the sample system through field trials
• Produce a technical report detailing the outcomes of the project

In order to determine whether this project has been successful or not it will be reviewed at key milestones set throughout the project listed above, this will ensure value for money is received by the customer, with the avoidance of unnecessary expenditure. Key outcomes of the project will be:

• The development of a piece of equipment which detects the entry point of gas in to ducts remotely
• Field trial data clarifying the effectiveness of the equipment
• A reduction in the time taken to detect the leak source
• Minimisation of the disruption caused to the general public whilst detecting gas in ducts
• Production of a technical report detailing the project outcomes

The safety of our assets and those of third parties are of paramount importance. The use of plastic ducts to protect cabling situated alongside our gas mains is the preferred method for electrical contractors. However, on occasions, due to small leakages in our network and areas of exposure in the duct work, gas tracks into ducts due to the open space inside it being the path of least resistance. Gas leakage into ducts poses potential hazards to our operatives and other parties; individuals could become exposed to large sources of gas trapped in concealed areas, and potentially enter neighbouring properties via service ducts. The current method of detecting the source of gas in the ducts is to lift the duct maintenance covers to vent the gas, this breaks the path of the gas and the direction of the source of the leak can be determined. Once the section of duct with the source of the leak is identified, the only option is to use the process of elimination and dig on the line of the duct dividing the area up in to sections. This is a costly and time consuming method, and has the potential to cause high levels of disruption to the general public. Therefore a solution that allows gas to be detected from a distance with minimal physical disruption to the ducts is deemed advantageous to our industry and customers. This project is concerned with exploring a solution to detect gas in ducts. The project will develop a new portable gas in ducts sample system, based on an existing device designed by Crowcon, to pinpoint the source of a gas escape. The new system will be able to accurately measure low volumes of methane remotely across long distances in harsh environments including mud and water filled ducts. It will therefore reduce the number of excavations required to locate the source of a gas leak. The solution will be mobile, compact in size, lightweight for manual handling purposes and require minimal maintenance. The methodology is outlined below: Crowcon to research, develop, and produce working drawings of the new design. If suitable, SGN to provide written approval to Crowcon to proceed with manufacture of one 2nd generation gas in line sample system for observation and testing. Drawings and test results to be submit to SGN for assessment pre production. If the sample product is suitable, SGN to provide written approval to Crowcon to proceed with the manufacture of a further nine 2nd generation gas in line sample systems for field trial. Training for the use of the new equipment provided by Crowcon to 30 SGN employees covering the use of the new equipment across all three of SGNs networks in South, South East and Scotland. SGN to field trial new systems across three depot locations, one in each of SGNs regional networks and record results for analysis. Onsite support to be provided by Crowcon if requested by SGN. Once results have been analysed SGN to make a decision on the success of the new product and recordand share findings withthe other GDNs.

Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

09/10/18