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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_SGN0022
Title	Small Pressure Pot
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
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 October 2013
End Date	01 April 2014
Duration	6 months
Total Grant Value	£6,986
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_SGN0022
Objectives	This purpose of this project is to design a small lightweight pressure pot to be used in conjunction with the existing ALH Large Diameter Mainspray Injection Equipment. In order to determine whether this project has been successful the following key milestones will be achieved: Off site testing review and product verification of the prototype using specially designed test rigs with the results submitted to SGN for approval. Upon approval, the equipment will be field trialled across three of our network locations in Scotland, South and South East. Full product evaluation will be carried out to determine how this new product compares to existing techniques and whether it will provide us with the most cost effective solution for sealing joints. A practical demonstration for all GDNs to observe the new equipment in operation.
Abstract	From the 1850’s up until the 1950’s cast iron mains were used extensively across the United Kingdom (UK) gas distribution network. Now the gas industry has moved away from this source of material and is using steel and polyethylene. However a significant portion of cast iron mains is still in use today. At present across Scotia Gas Networks (SGN) there are some 9,529 kilometres (km) of metallic mains When installed, these sections of mains were connected at the joint by a bell and spigot. To seal the joints, jute - a plant fibre used in making burlap and twine was packed into the back of the joint, and molten lead was poured into the front of the jute packing creating a gas-tight seal. Over time, however due to ground movement, winter freeze-thaw cycles and the fact that jute is drying out causing it to shrink and/or crack, we are experiencing leaking joints. Over the years many companies have looked to develop and market new products for the repair and maintenance of gas distribution networks. Currently SGN use a number of techniques including external anaerobic joint injection, internal main spraying or encapsulation to prevent leakage from joints. A brief description of each technique is listed below: Internal mainspray - A single excavation is made on the main which a spray head and joint detection device are inserted through, the head is pushed up the main and once a joint has been detected anaerobic is sprayed to form a seal internally. This method can on average cover 70 metres (m) of main from one excavation, but is only effective with low levels of leakage. Joint encapsulation - This is the most expensive option which is often used if the other techniques listed have not been successful. It involves fully exposing around the joint and encapsulating it inside a prefabricated box to great a seal. External joint injection - This is the most common technique out of the three, which requires excavation to expose the leaking joint which is then drilled to allow anaerobic to be injected in to the joint to the jute packing, re-establishes the seal. The injection is either performed using a hand pump or for larger diameters, a large pressure pot to inject anaerobic under pressure. The mainspray solution we currently adopt is injected through a large diameter mainspray injection pot which allows anaerobic to be injected at pressure in to the joint, with a capacity of three litres, on all pipe sizes. From a recent review of the equipment it was apparent that there were two improvements that could be made: The large weight of the injection pot, 24kg to be precise can cause concerns when transporting equipment. The equipment has the potential to generate up to two litres of waste material; a method which if reduced would contribute to waste minimisation, in line with Network Licensees environmental objectives. Due to the size and cost of the current equipment, it isn’t viable to provide every team with one, resulting in additional trips taken to collect and transport the equipment to each site. A smaller device would allow its use more frequently, allowing the work force to become more efficient. The specific design objectives are as follows: Internal capacity of one litre of Mainspray material for application on mains 12" and belowLightweight and PortableSafe working pressure of 3 bar to allow the anaerobic to be injected under pressure in to the jointA robust design with minimal maintenance requiredTheequipment will be focused on below 12" mains, but will be useable on larger joints if required. The internal capacity of the pressure pot must be sufficient to allow one litre of Mainspray to be dispensed under pressure with the added benefit of not needing to clean the pot after each use. It is inevitable that if this field trial proves to be a success, then the utilization of this technology could prove to be an efficient way for licensees to improve existing techniques and reduce both the size of excavation and the cost of materials required. Therefore aiming to improve customer experience, disruption and the time it takes Licensees to stop a metallic joint from leaking.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	14/12/18