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| Reference Number | NIA2_SGN0041 | |
| Title | Hazardous Areas Impact Mitigation Phase 1 | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (Hydrogen, Other infrastructure and systems R&D) 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 November 2023 | |
| End Date | 31 January 2024 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £66,254 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Energy | |
| Region | South East | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , SGN (99.993%) |
| Other Investigator | Project Contact , Cadent Central (0.001%) Project Contact , Cadent Eastern (0.001%) Project Contact , Cadent North London (0.001%) Project Contact , Cadent North West (0.001%) Project Contact , Cadent West Midlands (0.001%) Project Contact , Northern Gas Network (NGN) North East (0.001%) Project Contact , SGN - Southern England (0.001%) |
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| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , Northern Gas Networks (0.000%) Project Contact , Cadent Gas (0.000%) Project Contact , SGN (0.000%) |
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| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA2_SGN0041 |
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| Objectives | Measuring the actual size of the vented gas cloud would be valuable to confirm the increase in size of the hazardous areas when converting to hydrogen. This will be done by using a set of masts arranged around a hydrogen source designed to simulate a gas release from a typical vent configuration. Hydrogen gas detectors will be fitted at various points along these masts to measure the drop off in concentration and thereby the limit of the flammable zone of the gas clouds. A scaled approach is proposed to limit the inventory of hydrogen required with the initial 4 flow rates tested from the IGEM/SR/25 hydrogen supplement Xr and Xh tables. The view will then be taken on potentially stepping up the magnitude of the releases and/or whether the results can effectively be extrapolated to those of the sample sites previously assessed. The scope of work for the initial phase of the project is as follows:WP1: Design and build of test rigTwo main systems are required for the test rig: a controlled gas release and a gas cloud measurement system.Gas release equipmentThe work pack will commence by testing the initial 4 tabulated releases from the IGEM/SR/25 hydrogen supplement data tables for Xr and Xh. This work can be carried out using existing equipment on site at Steer Energy using a maximum of two hydrogen cylinders connected in parallel to provide the required hydrogen flow.The flow rates will be controlled up to 86 m3 h-1 using an Alicat flow controller. The flow controller will set the release rates to 0.0002, 0.0005, 0.001 and 0.002 kg s-1. Two sets of experiments will be carried out for each scenario:Measurement of the vertical concentration drop off to ½ quoted LFL, providing Xh informationMeasurement of the horizontal concentration drop off to ½ quoted LFL, providing Xr informationThese vent tests can be repeated for ideal and non-ideal vents.Gas concentration measurement equipmentThe measurement system involves a range of up to 16 IIC ATEX rated VQ546, and VQ549 gas detection sensors mounted on moveable masts at different heights. The masts will be constructed such that they can be positioned to surround the vent point and measure the gas concentration drop off from the vent in a variety of atmospheric conditions both vertically and horizontally displaced from the leak or vent. The gas concentrations will be logged using a new 16 channel datalogger developed by Steer Energy and DefProc Engineering Ltd.Decisions will be made to potentially reduce the height of the vent; a 3 m vent may require measurement masts up to 8 m. Therefore, dropping the overall length of the vent may be preferable if this has little impact on the shape of the gas release plume. The outcomes of this work pack will be:Functional test rig that simulates gas releases from a vent stack or other feature.A measurement system to map the change in gas concentration over distance, both vertically and horizontally.WP2: Initial experimentationThe measurement study expects to measure, log, and map out gas releases from a range of gas concentrations, spanning 0.0002 to 0.002 kg s-1 with hydrogen. Parameters that can be varied during the experimental programme of work include:Flow rates up to four flow rates are expected to be testedVertical and horizontal releases for one or more of the test casesChanging the shape of the release nozzle for one or more of the test casesComparative testing with methane for one or more of the test casesIdeal and non-ideal vents (as defined inIGEM/SR/25)It will not be possible to create a full test matrix where every parameter is varied for every test case and the full list will be developed during the programme of work as determined by results. The costing for the proposal assumes up to 10 individual test cases will be measured and mapped out.The output of this work pack will be mapped Xr and Xh for up to ten test cases of release where the limit for Xr and Xh are defined by a 2 % concentration of gas in air:Mapped out results of concentration drop off horizontally, giving Xr and specifically identifying the 2 % concentration value.Mapped out results of concentration drop off vertically, giving Xh and specifically identifying the 2 % concentration value.There is also the potential for mapping out the limit of ignition by pilot light from some of the releases, dependent upon the individual leak rates.WP3: Reporting and map way forwardReporting will be in the form of a weekly or fortnightly update meeting to provide ongoing results and agree individual test cases. A final report will be provided for discussion and dissemination to the wider community. This report will be used to define the subsequent steps. Once the results are concluded discussions will be held with SGN to plan the route forward. This could involve comparing the measured results to the output of the zoning study carried out by NGN. The outcomes of this work pack will be:Weekly / fortnightly update meetingsA final report of the results including comparisons with pertinent studiesIdentification of relevant literature from other industries and implicationsA plan for further work The main objectives of this project are to obtain accurate measurements for a selection of gas flow releases representing real world scenarios to enable a comparison to be made between the measured results, the zoning exercise undertaken by NGN and the data from the IGEM/SR/25 hydrogen supplement data tables. The project will also map a way forward for potential further impact mitigation with regards to the potential increase in hazardous areas with hydrogen. | |
| Abstract | This is a follow-on project to the NGN-led project on SR/25 Modification Assessment (NGN_NIA_346). As part of that project, 15 existing pressure regulating installations (PRIs) were surveyed and their hazardous areas calculated using the new SR/25 hydrogen calculator and compared with natural gas results. In some cases, the increase in hazardous areas were large and would require additional mitigations prior to any hydrogen conversion of the gas network. The primary objective of this project will be to look at potential mitigations to reduce the impact of the increased hazardous areas. Initially this phase of the project will undertake measurements of gas releases from vent stack configurations under realistic conditions and compare the results with the outputs from NGN_NIA_346 and those presented in industry standards. | |
| Data | No related datasets |
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| Projects | No related projects |
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| Publications | No related publications |
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| Added to Database | 02/10/24 | |
