Gas Technology Institute R&D Update Technologies to Enhance Distribution Safety

Transcription

1 Gas Technology Institute R&D Update Technologies to Enhance Distribution Safety Western Regional Gas Conference 2017 Bob Morris Manager, Business Development

2 ESTABLISHED 1941 Company Overview > Independent, not-for-profit established by the natural gas industry > GTI tackles tough energy challenges turning raw technology into practical solutions > Downhole to the burner tip including energy conversion technologies 2

3 Addressing Key Issues Across the Energy Value Chain SUPPLY Supply DELIVERY END USE Expanding the supply of affordable energy Ensuring a safe and reliable energy delivery infrastructure Promoting the efficient use of energy resources Reducing carbon emissions to the environment Supporting sustainable economic growth 3

4 Thank You to Our Members 4

5 GTI Energy Delivery Programs Inspection and Verification Intelligent Utilities Risk and Decision Analysis Construction Techniques Methane Emissions and Detection Grid Resilience 5

6 6 Residential Methane Detector Pilot Study > Three (3) manufacturers selected based on previous lab testing and market share > GTI will provide all detectors and components for installation, utilities will install in residential customer homes > 12 month pilot study duration GTI for post-testing Manufacturer Model 1 Model 2 Model 3 Residence Single Family Multi-family Location Sleeping Area Living Area 6

7 Remote Gas Sensing and Monitoring > Objective: To create a device to remotely monitor the level of gases during emergency gas leak situations > Need: First Responders need a tool that enables the monitoring of methane, CO, and other gases over a local area > Remote monitors can be placed in each home and confined space. The remote monitors would transmit data to on-site personnel, providing concentration levels in real time > This approach will enhance the safety of first responders and also the general public 7

8 Emerging Technology for Low-Cost Methane Sensing > Better data collection and measurement of methane emissions will enable quicker emission reductions Provides accurate count of emissions Ranks high priority sources > Low-cost methane sensing technologies can enable widespread deployment for infrastructure assets > GTI and commercial partners are developing a measurement system based on new technology to detect methane and better estimate the location and intensity of methane leaks 8 8

9 Methane Detection Evaluate Gas Imaging Technologies > Tool that allows for the safe detection and identification of leaks as well as the quantification of leak flow rate > Help in the leak investigation process as methane plumes can be visualized and used in investigating difficult to pinpoint leaks > Focus on evaluating gas imaging cameras that can quantify leaks (concentration and rate). 9

10 Mitigating the Risk of Cross Bores > Cross Bore Best Practices Guide - single source of information for natural gas operators to investigate and remediate existing cross bores as well as prevent future cross bores. > Cross Bore Outreach & Education Program Information to effect positive changes in attitude, practices and operations. > Technology Development Acoustic Pipe Locator Mechanical Spring Cleanout Safety Device > Additional information at 10

11 Cross Bore Program - Technology > Acoustic Pipe Locator (APL) All pipe materials. Commercialized by Sensit Technologies in 2013 > Cross Bore Detection Mechanical Spring Detects voids such as intersecting another pipe when directional drilling Designed prototype for 4-inch drill head Undergoing field testing now, followed by further modifications based on results > Obstacle Detection for Directional Drilling Acoustic sensor at drill head for detection of obstacles in drill path Working closely with HDD equipment OEM 11

12 Development of an Integrated Intelligent Safety System (IISS) > Developing an Integrated Intelligent Safety System (IISS) (Lorax Valve) to mitigate the risk of gas leaks due to third party damage on commercial, multi-family, and small industrial service lines by shutting off the flow of gas. > Intelligent safety shutoff device that will shut off the flow of gas in the event of line or meter set damage or failure. > Will trip even with small pin-hole size leak 12

13 Risk Analysis Implementing Automatic Safety Valve Programs Risk-based assessment methodology > Hydraulic modeling - scenarios > Assess risk impact by valve placement > Process on optimized placement of remote controlled or automated > Security Assessment for Automated Valves 13

14 Kleiss Flow Stopping System > Inflatable Stoppers: an alternative to currently employed stopping equipment for use on pipes up to 18 in diameter and pressures up to 60 psig for the following pipe types: > Cast iron > Steel > PE > PVC pipes > No-blow operations > Small fittings with taps up to 3 > Lightweight equipment > Alternative to squeezing PE pipe > Vintage PE susceptible to cracking > Large diameter thick-walled PE > Commercially available now through Mainline Control Systems (MCS) 14

15 Intrinsically Locatable Technology for Plastic Piping Systems > Objective > Focus Develop and test a viable solution for intrinsically locatable polyethylene (PE) materials with an integral electronic marking system. Partner with 3M Company and a large pipe manufacturer to develop the electronic markers and attach the marker to PE pipe. GTI will provide third party testing and analysis of the developed system. Complete the development, define and test the electronic marker capability, validate the attachment design, and perform laboratory and field testing. 15

16 Breakaway Fittings for Meter Safety > Breakaway disconnect / shutoff fitting for meter set assemblies (MSA) and other aboveground gas systems. > Reduce the risk from vehicle collision or ice/snow falling from a building. > Commercially available soon OPW Engineered Systems 16

17 Obstacle Detection System for Horizontal Drilling Installs > Conducted a demonstration of the capabilities of the pre-commercial ORFEUS system in April Project objective is to test and improve look ahead technology for underground installations of pipe. - Lengthen drill rod communication capability (goal of 600 ft.) - Improve software visualization 17

18 Risk Analysis of Vintage PE Pipe > Failure analysis on piping systems to assist utilities in identifying: Component defects Operator error Material defects / aging Etc. > Vintage pipe lifetime prediction to assist utilities in determining risks/remaining life with PE piping systems Vintage pipe prone to brittle like cracking Additional information to put into risk models 18

19 Qualifying & Enhancing PE Joining Procedures > Value: Optimizing and standardizing aspects of PE fusion procedures will create a more robust PE piping system and minimize the opportunity for field errors. Surface preparation, cleaning and scraping > Objective: To bring the industry together to gain knowledge, understanding, and focus to the issues related to robust and qualified joining procedures and develop a consensus on a quality framework with which to address PE joining. 19

20 GTI s Keyhole Program > Long-standing GTI Program ~ 10 Years > Members include Utilities and Manufactures > Addresses technology development needs and market barriers to keyhole adoption > Communications Sharing of information to accelerate implementation Meetings and demo s > Current efforts include: Jurisdictional Acceptance Keyhole Guidelines and how to videos Training Tooling (scrapers, specialty tooling, wire connectors) 20

21 Tackling Important Energy Challenges and Creating Value for Customers in the Global Marketplace Bob Morris Manager, Business Development

22 GTI and LocusView From R&D to Commercialization to Market Adoption 22

23 WHO WE ARE + GTI is a not-for-profit organization providing R&D services for the natural gas industry through collaborative programs LocusView is a GTI subsidiary providing commercial-scale technology and services for advanced geospatial and mobile solutions 23

24 BACKGROUND 2009 Launched the Intelligent Utility program 2012 Completed the first pilot project of tracking & traceability technology 2014 LocusView launched 2017 Eight production deployments 24

25 TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW Comprehensive mobile data collection platform Designed for the natural gas industry Built-in industry best practices Construction, compliance, and operations Automation vs electronic data collection Real-time QA/QC in the field Standardized data collection Company crews and contractors 25

26 TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW Use case specific modules for the gas industry Android, ios, and Windows Supports BYOD Disconnected functionality Integration with common equipment 26

27 MOBILE APPLICATIONS Construction Intelligent Inspections As-Builting Material Joint Traceability Traceability Repairs and Exposed Pipe Locates OQ Status Pressure Test Inspections Verification Traceability & Forms General Data Collection 27

28 CLOSING THOUGHTS Adapt the Silicon Valley mindset to our industry... A Minimal Viable Product may not be the right approach for mission critical operations in the energy industry, but a technology that solves one problem really well might be. A Disruptive Technology that impacts regulatory compliance activities might not be a good idea, but new industry standards might provide the foundation for technology innovations to reduce the cost of compliance. 28

29 CLOSING THOUGHTS Crossing the Chasm to move from R&D to commercialization to market adoption requires: vision, strong value proposition, dedicated team, and lots of hard work. 29

30 thank you.