Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_SGN0073 | |
| Title | Corrosion Mapping System for Buried Orpheus Regulator Modules - Phase 2 | |
| 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) 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 August 2015 | |
| End Date | 01 November 2017 | |
| Duration | 27 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £394,358 | |
| 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_SGN0073 |
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| Objectives | This Project has the following key goals and objectives: Manufacture a BSD suitable for use on SGN’s distribution networks Creation of specific Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS) and Training Packages for use with the BSD’s (UT) NDT procedure Undertake offsite and live field trials to ensure the new BSD meets SGN requirements Validation and approval of the BSD’s Ultrasonic (UT) NDT procedure; confirming that this new procedure fully meets SGN requirements The key success criteria for the Project will be: Eliminating the requirement for excavating and reinstating buried Orpheus Regulator Modules when carrying out inspections Eliminating the requirement for grit blasting Eliminating environmental concerns arising from waste disposal issues caused by grit blasting and excavation Proving the potential to access a greater surface area for 95-100% NDT Demonstrating compliance with current industry legislationReducing the operational time usually associated with the inspection of a buried Orpheus Regulator Module | |
| Abstract | Buried Orpheus Regulator Modules fall within the category of pressure systems operating above 0. 5barg and are included within the Scope of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) 2000. To ensure the assets integrity is maintained, it is essential to fit Cathodic Protection (CP) and carry out regulatory monitoring. Where CP has not been applied or has failed, a detailed, regular Ultrasonic Testing (UT) inspection should be carried out at a frequency, not exceeding 6 years. This work is covered by the SGN Management Procedure for ensuring compliance with PSSR 2000; SGN/PM/PS/3, Appendix H and Examination Specification ES/94/10 Part 2. Buried Orpheus Regulator Modules have a history of failed CP and where appropriate must be subjected to conventional non-destructive testing (NDT). The current NDT inspection process involves the entire installation having to be carefully excavated and exposed, with the vessel and its associated pipework being grit-blasted to prepare the surface for NDT. It is then inspected and assessed for corrosion, prior to being repaired (if necessary), then re-painted; the excavation being reinstated at a later date. The process is time consuming, typically taking around three weeks, and often complicated by other factors, such as road or footpath closures being needed. Therefore, to minimise completion times and the operational activities currently involved, it is considered prudent and appropriate to investigate and pursue the development of an alternative inspection method that requires no excavations or grit-blasting. This new Method of inspection for buried Orpheus Regulator Modules involves the application of a Bespoke Scanning Device (BSD), which can inspect 100% of the internal surfaces of ORPHEUS Regulator Modules of sizes ranging from 14" to 30". The BSD is expected to be used in the following manner: Readily transportable to site and readily assembled at siteOnce the Orpheus Regulator Module has been made safe by SGN, trained operatives will secure the vertical axial (the tracking or rail that will be used to run the scanner up and down) within the Orpheus ‘vessel’ and mount the deployment head (UT probes and camera arrangement), ready to start scanning. The deployment head will then be automatically guided around the entire internal surface of the Orpheus vessel by a drive and guidance system. The guidance system designed to ensure the vertical line is maintained when the deployment head passes over the Orpheus Regulator Modules inlet and outlet orifices. It will also be capable of following the surface of the vessel bottom. Once the deployment head has completed its run from top to bottom of the vessel, it will be retracted to its starting point at the top of the vessel, where it will then be re-deployed in a known repeatable, accurately controlled circular direction and locked before starting its next scan. When all vertical paths have been completed, the deployment head will be adjusted to enable the head to traverse the entire internal surface of the Orpheus vesse in a horizontal direction, thus allowing the scanning of any areas obscured to the vertical scan by cross pipesNote : 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 | 09/08/18 | |
