Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_SGN0033 | |
| Title | Long handled PE Top Tee Cutter | |
| 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) 25%; ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 75%; |
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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 June 2014 | |
| End Date | 01 June 2016 | |
| Duration | 24 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £19,547 | |
| 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_SGN0033 |
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| Objectives | The objectives of the project are to:
The successful development of the PE Top tee cutter will be determined by the following targets being met:
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| Abstract | Annually, Scotia Gas Networks (SGN) re-lays approximately 54,600 services as part of its replacement programme for ageing metallic gas infrastructure and installs approximately 21,000 new services as part of its Connections activities. SGN have identified a potential improvement to the current method of laying a new service to allow for a safer method of working, and a reduction in the cost of relaying a service. When a new service is laid from a Polyethylene (PE) main, a connection needs to be made by electrofusing a Top Tee on to the parent main. Once the connection has been made and pressure tested, a cutter which forms part of the Top Tee is screwed in to the wall of the gas main to cut out a section and remove a coupon of the mains wall to allow gas flow to pass through the service to the end user. This is known in the industry as commissioning the service or tapping the main. To ensure the pressure applied for the cut is uniform and consistent the body of the Top Tee and the cutter are threaded and require a tool to wind the cutter down in to the main. These mains tappings are also required whilst carrying out other works on the gas network, including the fitting of pressure monitoring points, vent points and siphon points. The current tooling designs available to be used to perform this operation are an allen key, or a short T-bar arrangement with the handle sitting approximately six inches above the top tee on the main meaning the operative commissioning the service must bend down in the excavation and lean over into a confined space to perform a live gas operation. Problems can also be encountered when third party plant or the face of the excavation is located in close proximity to the gas main obstructing the turning of the handle of the T-bar meaning increased excavation size. Following an invitation to partner, SGN will work with Pipetech Pipeline Technologies to develop the existing tooling available to provide a safer and more efficient method of commissioning a service. The design solution will be user friendly and supported by an independent assessor to encompass the major PE Top Tee manufacturers to ensure and confirm that no excessive force will be applied to the fittings or pipe during PE Top Tee cutting operations. This product must meet relevant industry and SGN standards and specifications, so that the design meets GPS, Radius, Kimplas and Fusion Providas minimum requirements. Also, it must be ensured that the maximum imposed torque and deflection specified by these manufacturers is not exceeded. Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above |
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| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 10/09/18 | |
