Magnetic Filtration in Medium to Low Pressure Networks

Completed

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

Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Physics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
SGN

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 August 2015

01 February 2017

18 months

£80,433

Technical Consultancy

South East

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, SGN

The objectives of the project are to: Prove that Magnetic filtration technologies can be adopted into SGN’s activities. Show the potential to return the network capacity on restricted networks increasing the efficiency of maintaining these systems and improve the life of the asset. Consolidation and updating of existing SGN specifications for the use of magnetic filtration in the network. Reduce the number of standard filter elements required to maintain system pressures. Create a new SGN Policy approval of the new specification to allow their use within the network, to provide a safe and efficient cost effective solution, and the likely reduction in filter element waste disposal could both improve efficiencies and productivity. Return the asset to its original performance, the site capacity restriction could be removed, thus improving the average system pressures. The success criteria for this project are to trial and test the new magnetic filtering system and methods in our existing filter elements. The project will be determined to be a success if the following is achieved: Compatibility assessment of magnetic filtration technology and products with particular consideration to durability, practicality of application and price on all SGN assets. Risk assessment and gap analysis of relevant industry and SGN standards and specifications. Completed review of current specifications including assessment of current practice suitability in relation to new technology. Draft a new specification incorporating applicable new technology. Completed technical report on results, findings and comparisons between new and existing elements. Carry out off site mechanical appraisals and on site field trials. Compare the existing performance of the regulator against the newly installed system. Create comparison of the number of site visits required compared to traditional methods. Provide technical reports against existing and new filter systems and their successes rate. Produce a Maintenance Work instruction that reflects the applications and methods, in SGN’s SMF format, equipment and the applications techniques required. Share the learning of this project with the other Network Licensees.

SGN have a number of medium to low pressure systems which suffer from issues with mains dust. These issues result in the network running at a reduced performance level. The occurrence of mains dust in the inlet filter at peak demands can reduce the output of the regulator. To ensure the network is maintained at the correct pressure, additional site visits are required to exchange filter elements. This is a costly process for the Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) and puts restraints on the outputs of the pressure regulators and their performance. On a number of occasions, dust has passed through to the low pressure network and into customer’s appliances, which has resulted in compensation claims being filed against GDNs. Currently, medium pressure mains in these areas are restricted to operate at a velocity of 20m/s to reduce the disturbance of mains dust. Operating at these reduced velocity can restrict the capacity of these assets. Profile control systems are predominately installed on medium to low pressure networks with the objective of optimising the network and minimising leakage. This has been achieved on a number of networks but further improvements are possible. The profile operating system allows for automatic adjustment of the source pressures to maintain the low point at its optimum pressure. This alters the pressure and flow as demand increases. The large volumes of mains dust that can gather in the main filters currently prevent the profile system from reducing its average low pressure network on high demand loads, requiring frequent filter changes to ensure the network system meets its low point requirements. The aim of this project is to more efficiently and effectively manage the removal of mains dust that occurs in the network equipment by providing an alternative method for collection. This has the potential to increase the efficiency of the system and reduce the need for multiple site visits. Three magnetic filter elements will be installed into existing filter elements on the Bournemouth and Poole networks. The new prototype devices will be the most common types of filter elements presently used on these networks. The new Method will result in fewer site visits, resulting in a saving in man hours required for maintaining the existing filtering systemInstalling of the new filter elements will increase the regulator capacity, and improve the performance of the site. The innovation could replace standard filter elements, which have a limited life span when subjected to large volumes of mains dust. By improving the performance of the existing filter units would potentially give a further reduction in SGN’s Low Pressure networks, and improve our overall system. If successful this could be adopted into SGN’S restricted networks and could open up opportunities to further develop a range of filter elements that may be of benefit in other applications.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

10/09/18