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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number NIA_NGGT0063
Title Investigation into Novel Robotics Locomotion Techniques
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 (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 50%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering) 50%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Project Contact
No email address given
National Grid Gas Transmission
Award Type Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source Ofgem
Start Date 01 March 2015
End Date 01 March 2018
Duration 36 months
Total Grant Value £141,000
Industrial Sectors Technical Consultancy
Region London
Programme Network Innovation Allowance
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Project Contact , National Grid Gas Transmission (100.000%)
Web Site http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGGT0063
Objectives To investigate robotic locomotion techniques suitable for high pressure gas installations. Publication of a technical paper / thesis on the work with discussions on the findings, recommendations and suggestions for further work.
Abstract National Grid Gas Transmission is moving away from predictive asset type modelling towards condition based monitoring of its critical assets. This is particularly important because these assets are ageing and many have already reached the end of their intended asset life. There is currently no available technology which can in line inspect below ground pipework on at high pressure installations (AGIs). Pipework on AGIs can be operated pressures up to 100Barg, and site configurations involve complex geometries which are not possible to inspect using inline inspection tools, PIGs. Current methods of inspection for below ground pipework on AGIs involve visual inspection via excavation which is both financially and environmentally expensive. This project is an industry sponsored CASE studentship. The key deliverables include:1. Background research into robotic locomotion techniques required to traverse complex ground pipework at high pressure installations considering: a. The challenges of changes in pipe diameter b. Intrinsic safety of devices in high pressure pipes c. Operation at distance from entry point d. Deployment techniques2. Develop robotic locomotion concepts and perform computational kinematic and dynamic analysis to relate the concepts to the required performance set out in the specification. 3. Select appropriate concepts and develop designs to test the principles4. Fabricate and assemble prototype robotic devices, and perform experiments to validate the performance in a simulated laboratory environment. 5. Refine the designs and develop a design for a prototype robotic solution6. Perform an analysis of the feasibility of making the device intrinsically safe.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 10/09/18