Learnings

Outcomes

When available, comprehensive details of the Project’s outcomes are to be reported. Where quantitative data is available to describe these outcomes it should be included in the report. Wherever possible, the performance improvement attributable to the Project should be described. If the TRL of the Method has changed as a result of the Project this should be reported. The Network Licensee should highlight any opportunities for future Projects to develop learning further.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Testing was undertaken which looked at assessing the ability of the Gerodur multi-layered pipe being squeezed off at 0°C and also a hydrostatic strength test at 80°. Testing was completed in April 20, with confirmation that the samples passed both tests without failure, meeting the requirements of standard BS EN 12106.  

The successful out-come of the laboratory testing enabled Field Trials to take place. These were undertaken in Cadent’s Eastern Network, on both ¾” and 1” service pipes. All field trials proved successful in that none of the pipes inserted showed noticeable signs of damage to the peelable skin or the core pipe. All surface damage was contained to a proportion of the peelable pipe layer. Following the trials, samples of all pipes inserted were recovered by Rosen to carry out further inspections and laboratory testing. Findings from these tests showed that all samples incurred no damage of on the core pipe and therefore the multi-layered pipe conforms with dimensional requirements for diameter and wall thickness specified in DIN EN 1555-2 and GIS/PL2-2.

This project has now closed from an NIA perspective. The next phase of this piece of work will be to engage with Kobus and Cadent Supply Chain to establish the most appropriate way to bring the Pipe Puller and Gerodur multi-layered pipe into Cadent for use on mains service replacement activities for service pipes of diameter ¾” and 1”.                                                        

Lessons Learnt

Describe how the project (methodology, stakeholder engagement etc.) changed, or provided opportunities, from your expectation at the start of the project and therefore could be useful for a future project. In addition, please discuss the effectiveness of the research development or demonstration undertaken.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

·        Of the methods of solution being available, the one that was originally pursued, Pipelife multilayer Robust gas pipe, could not confirm its suitability against Gas Industry Standards, due to there being no availability of the specifications in English. This has had an impact on the time of the project as further solutions were investigated. The current solution moving forward does not give any indication, providing squeeze off testing passes, that the field trials cannot be ran successfully.

·        When operating the Kobus Pipe Puller, during field trial stage, it became apparent that a specific excavator, not normally used by Cadent, would be needed, to ensure stability of the Pipe Puller. This has been factored into the requirements for implementation.

·        Following several field trials were the pipe to be inserted was more than 20m, it was noticed that the unspooling of these longer old steel services became problematic in their removal from the Pipe Puller, mainly due to the length of pipe and pressure that the Pipe Puller creates when wrapping the pipe around the spool. Therefore the recommendation is, that no length greater than 20m should be used on one single pull using the Kobus Pipe Puller. If there is a service that is greater in length than 20m, then an extra excavation should be created, therefore reducing the distance of the installation required but carrying out two installations.

·        Given the successful outcome of the Field Trials, the solution will be available company wide and potentially across the whole of the UK.