Page 24 - Gi flipbook May 2018

SMART SYPHONS

Thanks to Network Innovation Allowance funding, Northern Traditionally, syphons were used to
Gas Networks has come up with an inventive solution to the collect and extract water in areas of
problem of water ingress in gas mains the gas network affected by low-level
water ingress before it was able to
cause a problem, and network
operators have been performing this
task effectively for decades.
But, as the UK transitions from
metallic pipes to plastic as part of
the Iron Mains Replacement
Programme, syphons are not typically
being replaced as new PE networks
are constructed.
However, the problem of water
ingress remains. In order to improve
customer experience and deliver a more
resilient network, Northern Gas
Networks (NGN) turned to its
Innovation team for a pioneering
solution. Collaborating with industry
specialists ROSEN, the answer lay in the
creation of new technology, a ‘smart’
polyethylene syphon funded through
the Network Innovation Allowance.
Designed to store 24 litres of water,
small and light enough to reduce
excavation size and handling issues,
the syphon can also be fitted with a
remote monitoring system.
This enables active management of
water that may be inside the gas
network to be monitored remotely,
alerting engineers via smart data
transfer when it needs to be emptied.
The clever concept ensures that
NGN need perform reactive
maintenance only when required,
reducing vehicle journeys and
emissions, increasing operational
efficiency and reducing the chances of
loss of supply due to water ingress.
Using fittings and equipment
already approved for use on the gas
network, the remote monitoring data
is also supplied through existing NGN
software, and its transmitters operate
with a low power consumption and
five-year battery life.
Remote PE Syphon testing lab Construction is carried out by a
trained electrofusion technician using
standard work procedures to build
ater can find its way While travelling around and connect to the host main.
into the gas network underground, pockets of water can Previously NGN had visited the trial
for all sorts of end up collecting in service pipes, site at Spennymoor, in County
reasons: burst water causing low gas pressure and Durham, twice a week to check for the
W pipes, ageing metal occasionally loss of supply. It can presence of water inside the gas
mains, flooding. And when it happens, sometimes take days to extract the network and risk to supplies.
it can be hugely disruptive. water and restore supplies. Once operational, the first cycle

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