Gas Polymerisation - Stage 2 - Engineering Development

There are a number of contributory factors to SGN’s direct carbon footprint; however, approximately 95% is from Natural Gas Leakage. The majority of leakage is from lead yarn and mechanical joints within low pressure distribution networks. One of the highest operating cost areas for SGN is in response to Public Reported Escapes (PREs), it is estimated, based on data from 1998-2008 that joint repairs accounts for around 85% of all repairs. This project aims to build on the work carried out under the project entitled "Gas Polymerisation - Proof of Concept" (NIA_SGN0058). This project aimed to develop a highly innovative technology, namely gas polymerisation which uses gas borne sealants which are transported in the gas phase and remotely repair leaks by exploiting chemistry that reacts with unique environmental factors found at leak points. The project aims to take the lessons learnt and understandings achieved during Stage 1 and carry out an engineering development exercise to address general operational and specific technical questions which have arisen. The aim of stage 2 (Engineering development) is: to answer the fundamental questions that will then give confidence that the technologies developed can be applied in an operational setting.

Therefore, the key questions that Stage 2 will need to address include:

• What role does the surrounding soil play in the type of seal that is achieved, and how can that be controlled ?
• How quickly can a seal be created; how porous or otherwise is that seal; how big a leak can be sealed successfully; how does geometry of the leak affect the success of the seal ?
• How can the chosen chemistries be manipulated so that the sealing material properties are optimised?
• How do the other chemistries and products (i. e.  containments with the gas system) interact the chosen chemistries?
• What are the enabling technologies, techniques or products that will be required for the application of this technology?
• From an operational viewpoint, what initial considerations are made regarding how the application of the sealant may interact with home appliances such as boilers?

These questions are to be answered using a combination of in-house experimental work and chemical development carried out by a technical partner.

Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

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