News & Info

NYSEARCH Project T-789: RNG Interconnect Database

NYSEARCH has successfully pioneered a digital database that provides utility companies with the ability to use a common framework to select an optimal design for renewable natural gas (RNG) interconnection skids for their respective systems, thereby standardizing and streamlining the interconnect process while reducing capital costs for those utilities looking to engage producers, inject, and transport RNG…

NYSEARCH Project M2018-001: Reducing Methane Emssions At Threaded Connections

To address increased regulatory focus on methane emissions, NYSEARCH has responded with a broad, multi-faceted program that is holistically investigating the cause(s) of emissions from threaded connections including product compliance with NPT and ANPT standards, sealants and their application, torque, thread workmanship, and other characteristics which will result in an effort to minimize or eliminate leakage at these connections…

NYSEARCH Project M2020-007: Feasiblity Study For A Robotic Platform and Suite Of Sensors To Identify Degradation In Non-conforming Driscopipe^® 8000

A feasibility study conducted by NYSEARCH, InvoDane/Intero and Iowa State University has resulted in the successful identification of a sensor system and robotics platform which are capable of detecting internal degradation/delamination through live in-line inspection of high-density polyethylene pipe, specifically non-conforming Driscopipe^® 8000 (NCDP)…

NYSEARCH Project M2017-002: Automation Of Explorer and Advanced Data Analysis

Through its research, design, and development activities, NYSEARCH has successfully increased the operational efficiency of the Explorer robotics platform by successfully integrating a powerful new automation computer which allows advanced control of the device, including alignment controls, drive assist functionality for navigating pipeline features and obstructions, and path mapping capabilities…

NYSEARCH Project M2017-006: Liquid Capable Explorer For Inspection Of Unpiggable Pipelines With Liquid

To further enhance the capabilities of the Explorer family of pipeline inspection robots, NYSEARCH, along with InvoDane/Intero, has successfully developed and tested the Explorer 20/26 robot’s capability to drive and scan through large and small amounts of accumulated liquid in natural gas pipelines, thereby enhancing Explorer’s efficiency and reducing inspection costs in cases where liquid is present…

NYSEARCH Project M2019-002: Standardization Of Surface Expression (SE) Measurements For Methane Emissions Validation

With increasing environmental regulatory emphasis being placed on natural gas local distribution companies (LDC) and with respect to the measurement and quantification of methane emissions, the NYSEARCH consortium has invested considerable resources into independent studies of emission quantification techniques revealing each technique’s actual performance capability. One such method which resulted in a deeper investigation for the consortium is the Surface Expression method. This multi-year effort to research and field test methods resulted in optimization of a stationary measurement tool, a recommended system with Bill of Materials, and acquisition of data that validated the methane emissions measurement process…

NYSEARCH Animation Provides Overview of Two NYSEARCH R&D Projects Related to Low-Carbon Fuels

This animation provides a short overview of two NYSEARCH Projects: (1) M2021-001: Study of Natural Gas Dispersion with Blended Hydrogen in Residential Structures; and (2) M2018-011: Scaling of Microbial Power-to-Gas Conversion for Long-Term Operation. The animation highlights key findings from both of the projects, as well as goals and objectives for both projects. To help investigate the impacts, challenges, and opportunities for implementing emerging, low-carbon fuels, these two NYSEARCH projects investigate two distinct areas of research…

Read more / view video

NYSEG/RG&E Transition NYSEARCH’s Drone Gas Asset Inspection Program to Commercial Use

In 2018, NYSEARCH completed several years of evaluation of use of small Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (sUAS) platforms (drones) for routine and emergency gas pipeline and asset inspections. This program evolved with member use and evaluation of various platforms, service providers and focused on FAA regulatory compliance. Data for this project was obtained from NYSEARCH-lead tests at RG&E, NYSEG, National Fuel Gas, BG&E, SoCal Gas, and PG&E. From these results, the project manager, Joe Mallia…

NYSEARCH Evaluates New Imaging Technology for Potential Emissions Quantification & Leak Pinpointing Applications at SoCal Gas

In April, NYSEARCH Staff, SoCal Gas field and R & D personnel as well as our contractor, Multi-Sensor Scientific of Boston, Mass., completed a first round of testing to evaluate the potential for a new imaging technology to address gas LDC methane detection applications. This tool applies shortwave infrared spectroscopy and uses natural or illuminated light that is absorbed by methane and other gases to result in a measurable change in the infrared spectrum. This non-thermal imaging technology…

National Grid/NYSEARCH achieve success with EPA confirmation of MDPE being treated as ‘Non-Porous’ Material

In December 2018, after many years of work and discussions facilitated by AGA with EPA, a decision has been made to classify MDPE in a similar way to HDPE as having a non-porous surface. This EPA decision was based on a series of studies that National Grid led through NYSEARCH and conducted by John Woodyard and Jana. The work focused on Assessment of PCBs in Medium Density PE and High-Density PE used in the gas distribution sector. The project tested a range of pipes…

New NYSEARCH Program Focuses on Future NDE Techniques for Characterization of Plastic Pipe

NYSEARCH seeks new solutions from other industries in its Oracle program. Following work from Oracle and a State-of-the-Art Technology Assessment by SwRI, a new program was approved in September to develop Non-Destructive-Evaluation (NDE) techniques for PE pipe materials using Terahertz technology. This approach was picked by members because Terahertz signals can propagate through non-conductive materials, such as plastics. Initial research shows that it offers greater penetration and greater resolution…

Advancing Leak Detection and Localization with Methane Sensors on Drones

Since 2016, NYSEARCH members have been funding work with JPL/NASA and more recently drone experts AA/SAIT from Calgary to optimize application of methane detectors from small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) or drones. Periodically, new algorithms from the JPL/NASA program have been tested in various controlled and live field situations. During October, two different sensor systems mounted on drones with the JPL/NASA integrated control system were tested in rural and suburban locations…

Con Ed and National Fuel install NYSEARCH’s Real-Time Corrosion Monitoring System

In late June, both Con Ed and National Fuel completed installations of a flexible sensor tape containing an array of micro-linear resistance corrosion sensors on live steel transmission main to monitor any evidence of corrosion in real-time. This innovative system, which also is used in the aerospace industry for monitoring corrosion in cockpits, has been under development by NYSEARCH’s contractor, Analatom, for several years and has been tested both in the laboratory and at the NYSEARCH/NGA test bed…

NYSEARCH/TT Technologies Continue Field Testing of Trenchless Service Replacement Tool in Orange & Rockland Utilities Territory

Taking advantage of warmer January weather and seeking information about the benefits and challenges of a new trenchless technology tool to replace steel services, the trenchless tool provider and contractor for a NYSEARCH development project, TT Technologies, performed tests at (3) different sites in O & R’s territory. The project team worked at several residential sites, based on identification of need and system characteristics by O & R in the Rockland County area…

NYSEARCH Continues sUAS (Drone) Test Flights at BG & E and Union Gas

NYSEARCH members remain active in planning and executing test flights of the small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) that NYSEARCH is authorized through FAA to use for gas company facility inspection flights. While NYSEG, RG & E and SoCal Gas have already conducted test flights, in September and October 2016, Baltimore Gas & Electric and Union Gas also worked with NYSEARCH Staff and its contractor, Pictometry, to conduct additional flights to inspect company-owned facilities such as bridge crossings, gate stations, Right-of-Ways…

Lab & field testing at NYSEARCH’s Test bed reveal potential of State-of-the-Art Corrosion Sensors

In 2015, NYSEARCH completed two phases of testing on some unique corrosion sensors currently used by aircraft to monitor corrosion on material surfaces. While primarily applied to coated steel, these sensors can measure corrosion rates in real time on the external surfaces of pipe using a unique linear sensor array. With its contractor, Analatom, NYSEARCH not only completed testing in the laboratory but performed over a year of testing at the NYSEARCH/NGA test bed in use at a NYSEG facility…

NYSEARCH’s Cleaning Tool Demonstration Successfully Completed by Con Edison & Invodane

In May 2016, Con Edison of New York hosted a first-time field demonstration of the Explorer (EXP) 20/26 now equipped with a cleaning tool at their LNG plant located in Queens, New York. The new cleaning tool augments the Pipetel range of commercial robotics products that has been licensed by NGA/NYSEARCH to Invodane. The cleaning tool consists of an array of brushes mounted on the commercial EXP robot which is used to conduct in-line inspections of live, unpiggable natural gas pipelines…

Controlled Testing of Emissions Quantification Technologies Continues for NYSEARCH at SoCal Gas

Following on controlled tests performed in spring 2015 at PSE&G and significant analysis performed by NYSEARCH, a decision was made in the fall to conduct more controlled tests to gather more data regarding accuracy, precision and conditions that impact the application of various technologies. The technologies that were selected in early 2015 through a competitive RFP include two that use Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy and one that uses laser technology. In these efforts, measurements of methane…

NYSEARCH Members Test Valve Position Confirmation Technology at PECO Energy

In NYSEARCH’s project entitled “Critical Valve Operability”, NYSEARCH recently completed a Feasibility Study to examine the equipment and methodology needed to use the sound of gas flow through a valve to confirm the closed or exact position of critical valves in gas distribution systems. Using acoustics and an innovative tool delivery system, field tests were conducted in early March 2016 with operators from PECO Energy and Baltimore Gas & Electric in PECO’s gas customer territory…

First Round of Field Tests for Trenchless Replacement of Steel Services with Plastic Pipe Completed

In the summer and fall of 2015, NYSEARCH conducted field tests at PSE&G, Con Edison and Central Hudson Gas & Electric on an innovation that we are developing with TT Technologies to replace small steel services of various lengths through use of a trenchless device that pulls in new plastic. These tests on 1 ¼" and 1" services resulted in information about distance covered in a short period of time (less than 30 mins), footprint of the device, and varying conditions…

NYSEARCH/RG&E Test Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) For Inspection of Gate Station & Pipeline Assets

NYSEARCH’s project entitled “Regulatory and Technology Assessment of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS)” has successfully completed test flights at a gate station area in Mendon, NY. These tests were hosted by Rochester Gas & Electric. The sUAS flights were performed to determine applicability of the drone technology to inspect gate station and pipeline assets. In addition to gaining FAA approval for the test flight in October of 2015, the sUAS was successfully deployed by Pictometry Inc., a NYSEARCH contractor…

Video / NYSEARCH Project Profile: Longevity Testing of Cured-in-Place Lined Pipe

NYSEARCH has recently completed some important testing on the longevity and extreme capabilities of cured-in-place lined pipe. These tests used lined pipe that was extracted after more than 10 years in live pressurized gas service and then tested to extremes by experts at Cornell University. Watch the full video associated with this news item to learn more…