Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_SGN0129 | |
| Title | Vacuum Excavation for Local Transmission System (VELTS) - Stage 1 | |
| 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) 100% | |
| 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 2018 | |
| End Date | 01 March 2019 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £23,538 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Energy | |
| Region | South East | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , SGN (100.000%) |
| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , SGN (0.000%) |
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| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_SGN0129 |
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| Objectives | Stage 1 – Feasibility Study: Investigate the state of the art for UK-deployed VacEx equipment suitable for LTS application, using as a primary source of data and information the equipment manufactured by MTS Gmbh and sold into the UK through Mammoth-MTS. Performance evaluation to include, but not limited to, excavation capacity, ground type resilience, vehicle weight, traction options for rural sites, spoil management, noise abatement, suction hose design (power options, control, horizontal and vertical reach), embedded safety features (limiters, interlocks, fail-safe modes), safety performance history. Specific feasibility to be undertaken of the option for a separate electric drive for the fans, pumps and compressors (vehicle can retain its current diesel drive train) for improved environmental compliance. Review the Gas Technology Institute and MTS reports on safe application of VacEx in potentially flammable natural gas atmospheres, Review current operational application of VacEx on LTS assets within SGN, specifically to understand attitudes and perception of safety compliance, concerns or issues in its application in those circumstances where VacEx is a currently permitted working practice (as per SW/2), subject to permit to work authorization. Estimate business benefits attainable with and without further technology development as a basis for the CBA in Stage 2. Review and feedback session to be held with MTS and SGN at the midway point to discuss preliminary findings Following successful completion of Stage 1 Stage 2 and 3 will look to construct, prototype and test the VELTS system, culminating in a full-scale field trial. The scope of the project is to establish the requirements and feasibility of implementing an innovative Vacuum Excavator for Transmission that could work in the challenging rural environment of the LTS. The objective of this project is to investigate the feasibility of developing an innovative solution to provide SGN and the wider Gas Industry with an efficient and effective approach to local transmission system pipeline excavations, reducing cost and improving safety in comparison to the current hand dig method. | |
| Abstract | This project will investigate the feasibility of developing an innovative solution to reduce costs, increase safety and improve efficiency when excavating on the Local Transmission System (LTS). | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 09/11/22 | |
