Page 25 - Gi flipbook May 2018

from ‘emptying to emptying’ was 30
days. Without the remote monitoring, FIGURE 1: PressureTrac Readings 1-3 January 2018
NGN would have visited the site eight
times during the same period.
Figure 1 illustrates the alert that
the syphon tank was 80 per cent full
on 1 January at the point where a
pressure differential occurs between
channels 1 and 2.
Point B shows the point at which
the pressure channels 1 and 2
equalise, which indicates the syphon
being emptied.
The point at which the pressure
difference between channel 1 and
channel 2 becomes greater than 3mbar
alerts NGN to empty the syphon.
Since installation, there have been no
loss of supply reports at the trial location.
NGN’s Head of Innovation Richard
Hynes-Cooper said: “This project
demonstrates our commitment to
continuous improvement of managing
locations impacted by water ingress.
“We know how frustrating it can be
for customers when their gas supply is
affected, and removing water from the
network has historically been a
time-consuming process.
“But the syphon allows us to
collect and effectively manage any now overlay that on top of their existing for water extraction and job duration.
water in our network and remove it plans to show areas most at risk from Both the GIS tools and data tables
before it has a chance to cause a surface water or river/sea flooding. developed for the water volume
problem for customers. Supporting long term plans, it also calculator and water ingress locations
“And it’s also reducing our impact allows NGN to install mitigating are compatible with ESRI ArcGIS
on the environment with less measures such as the smart syphon. software already used by NGN, leading
emptying trips required by driving to As part of the project, ROSEN has to a seamless process for the user.
site, and also making more efficient developed a water volume calculator, “The project has been managed to
use of operational time. a tool which provides accurate ensure minimal change to normal
“The technology should allow the measurements of water following an operating procedures, so it’s
‘syphon run’ of yesteryear to become ingress event. straightforward to use and delivers
a thing of the past, meaning To create a case study, the tool was information fast,” added Richard.
customers can benefit from a more tested against a water ingress event “It’s helping us plan more effectively
resilient network.” which took place at Quayside, – both in terms of identifying what kit
As well as the syphon, NGN’s Newcastle, in February 2017. to select for each specific area, and
innovation team worked with ROSEN It calculated a value of 191,856 longer term around prioritising which
for a network modelling project, litres, which is comparable to the pipes to select for mains replacement.
allowing identification of vulnerable estimated 200,000 litres estimated “That will allow us to save time,
parts of the network prone to water at the time of extraction. money and reduce disruption for
ingress and preventative measures to The accurate calculation enables customers.
be put in place. NGN to select a suitable water “Our engineers understand the
Using GIS data, and cross-referencing extraction method and improves disruption water can cause when it
Ordnance Survey maps and control of the water ingress event, due blocks supply to people’s homes.
Environment Agency data, NGN can to its ability to estimate the total time “Harnessing innovative new
technology helps us to deliver a
consistent, reliable supply of gas to
Designed to store 24 litres of water, our customers, maintain a resilient
small and light enough to reduce network and prevent water ingress
happening as much as we can.” ■
excavation size and handling issues, the ■ For more on NGN’s innovation

syphon can also be fitted with a remote projects and to download the 2017
monitoring system Ofgem Annual Innovation Summary
visit www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk

25

NGNPESyphon.indd 2 19/04/2018 14:23