Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_SGN0078 | |
| Title | Utilisation of the Modular NIC Robotics Platform for Service Line Rehabilitation | |
| 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 (Civil Engineering) 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 |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 June 2015 | |
| End Date | 01 February 2016 | |
| Duration | 8 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £66,000 | |
| 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_SGN0078 |
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| Objectives | Submission of a feasibility report to include:
The preliminary module specifications along with the conceptual designs generated. Expected benefits : Once the feasibility study has been completed, the project partner will deliver a detailed report containing:
The final report will be disseminated to all other network licensees |
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| Abstract | The current process of replacing or rehabilitating a gas service line which connects the gas main to a customers meter can be highly disruptive. With larger diameter 12" - 48"mains the disruption caused is increased due to the locations of the mains being in inner city or highly populated areas. Service line replacement typically requires the excavation of a trench between the gas mains and meter, as well as shutting off service to the customer. At present, SGN is not aware of any products or technologies that are available to network licensees across Great Britain (GB) that will enable the rehabilitation of service lines from within the main remotely, reducing the amount of disruption caused by the activity. The potential to replace a corroded service line without the need for costly excavation or disruption of gas flow in the main could lower the cost of asset replacement and decrease disruption to customers and the public. From experience gained by SGN through the use of the Large CISBOT (NIA_SGN0019) robotic repair system, it was noted that roughly 150 services were found over a 600m length of pipe. SGN is currently working with ULC Robotics in the development of a modular robotic platform which has been designed to carry and operate a number of different payloads into tier 2 and 3 live gas mains through the Network Innovation Competition (NIC). This feasibility study will investigate into the potential opportunity to further develop an additional payload from the NIC Robotic platform to perform the task of rehabilitating a gas service line from within the large diameter gas mains expanding its capabilities. A global search will be undertaken for technology that will be used with the existing robotic platform for service line replacement. In order to prepare for the search an extensive review of the existing relevant service line specifications and population will be performed. If appropriate, the project partner may travel to GB to perform site visits and to meet with key SGN personnel. A detailed service line rehabilitation specification will be generated which will be used to develop a refined set of search criteria to guide the global search. Utilising the search criteria and specifications developed collaboratively with SGN, the project partner will perform a global search of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products and new technology that may be used directly, modified, or may be combined to provide a solution. The project partner will evaluate products found during the search for viability in order to determine if COTS equipment is currently available which may be used in conjunction with the NIC Robotics Transport Platform. As part of the project, it is anticipated that investigations of products, services and solutions from around the world will be undertaken, including products from companies such as Radius Systems, Synthotech, and Steve Vick.Note : 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 | 17/12/18 | |
