Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_SGN0088 | |
| Title | Advanced Mini Bag Kit | |
| 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 (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 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 January 2016 | |
| End Date | 01 January 2017 | |
| Duration | 12 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £90,250 | |
| 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_SGN0088 |
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| Objectives | The objectives of the project are to produce a kit for ECV exchange enabling: Single Gas Engineer operation. Easy operation within restricted working areas. A "gas free" operation. Isolation of approved low pressure ECVs straight and semi-concealed (angled) valves The success criteria for the Project are to evaluate and test the mini bag kit against conventional repair techniques and compare the performance in terms of: Development of a working prototypeCarry out field trials of the developed product to test functionalityEvaluate performance versus conventional techniquesProduce detailed final report including test results from the field trialDisseminate information and project outcomes | |
| Abstract | An Emergency Control Valve (ECV) is a safety mechanism on a gas service pipe connecting a gas meter to the gas mains. Every gas pipe installation and meter should have one. The ECV is situated where the gas network pipe meets the gas meter. Its purpose is to control the flow of gas where it should be switched off in the event of an emergency / gas escape, or where there is no gas meter installation already in place. In the scenario that a gas engineer is required to isolate the gas connection for either routine or non-routine maintenance, the ECV will be closed. Due to the design and more specifically age of installed ECVs, either, it may not be possible to completely close the valve as a result of internal debris or the seal may have perished. This is deemed an "uncontrolled" leak and the gas engineer working needs to immediately replace the valve. To replace the leaking ECV, equipment has been designed to be inserted through the valve to isolate the flow of gas. The ECV can then be removed and a new one replaced, all achieved with no gas leaking. Semi-concealed ECVs incorporate a 90°bend within the fitting and the majority of historic ECVs do not have an opening with a circular profile. Equipment currently in use does not have the capability to be inserted through the semi-concealed ECV. For historic ECVs, the inertial opening may not be circular, this them makes is difficult to remove the flow stopping tool and can damage it. This then results in a much larger operation being carried out to replace the ECV. Currently to replace semi-concealed ECVs, it is required that the gas engineer calls out a team to excavate the service line and perform a squeeze off to isolate the flow of gas. It is at this point that the ECV can be replaced safely. This additional work introduces a significant cost due to an increased number of engineers on site and an excavation required increasing in the environmental impact. It has also been identified that during the role out of smart meters, reports of uncontrolled leakage from the older style ECVs will significantly increase presenting a substantial demand on resource if current repair techniques are employed. The proposed project will enable the replacement of the semi-concealed ECVs to be converted to a single man operation. It has been identified that a Mini Bag Assembly is required to pass through and isolate all approved ECVs including the two existing semi-concealed ECVs of which consist of a body which has a 90° bend on the inlet. This will enable replacement under live gas conditions, eliminating the need for any excavation to be carried out and a repair team to be used during the replacement process. The equipment will be specified for insertion through all low pressure ECVs from " to 2" including non-full bored tapered plug ECVs. This will achieved through the project breakdown as listed below: Design-work & production of initial drawing pack for approval by SGNProduction of working model (subject to SGN approval)Design updates and production of final drawing packDemonstration of prototype tests and written approval from SGN to commence batch manufactureProduction of trial unitsPre-deployment risk and technical assessmentDevelopment and provision of Advanced Mini Bag Kit for field trial. Field trial of equipment across networkDocumentation upon completionTrainingCommercial appraisal of the most suitable operating model. Quantification of anticipated cost benefit. Project Management within approved parameters. Project report.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 | 23/03/18 | |
