Natural Gas Leak Detection and
Prevention
Rick Trieste
Department Manager - Research, Development &
Demonstration
Consolidated Edison Company of New York
1
Gas Service Areas Other Service Areas
CECONY Gas Franchise
2
WESTCHESTER
BRONX
MANHATTAN
QUEENS
BROOKLYN
STATEN ISLAND
LONG ISLAND
CONNECTICUT
NEW JERSEY
NEW YORK
• 1.1 M customers
• ~4,400 miles of distribution mains
• ~375,000 services
• 94 miles of transmission mains
Application of Technology In Urban
Environments Pose Challenges
3
2017
Application of Technology In Urban
Environments Pose Challenges
4 1917
Project Goals and Objectives Need to be
Realistic
5
Gas Leak Management Requires Multi-
Faceted Approach
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Efforts: • Monthly mobile
leak survey • Public awareness
campaigns • Residential
methane detectors development and deployment
Detection Response
Efforts: • Code MuRRE • Isolation valve
installation program
• Repair Type 3 leaks
Prevention
Efforts: • Main
replacement program leak prone pipe
• One-call, Dig safe • Work
coordination with city utilities
Response: Gas Leak Backlog Management
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
12,000
2000
7 1992 - 2017
Le
aks
Prevention: Main Replacement Program
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Prevention: Service Replacement Program
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Detection: Public Awareness Campaigns
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• Battery powered - 5 yrs.
• Tested by GTI
• UL 1484 certified
Detection: Residential Natural Gas
Detector – New Cosmos
• 10% LEL alarm (0.5% gas-in-air)
• Device Company owned
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Detection: Residential Natural Gas
Detector – Sparrow Detect
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Detection: Residential Natural Gas
Detectors– Sparrow Detect
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Detection: Leak Survey Enhancement
Project with Colorado State University
• Mobile leak survey performed with Heath DP-IR
• Objective is to evaluate tools and process to seek improvements of
mobile leak survey
– Evaluate application of an anemometer
– Operate an LGR in parallel to:
• Optimize alarm set-point of DP-IR
• Minimize false positives
• Evaluate leak investigation process once an indication warrants
• Evaluate use of hand-held devices to zero in on leak location
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• Picarro Surveyor
– Areas clear of urban canyons
– Pre-pave surveys
– New construction quality control
– Written procedures
• Project begun to evaluate ABB MobileGuard™
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Detection: Advanced Leak Detection
Technologies
Methane Emissions Avoidance – ZEVAC,
TPE Midstream
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Natural Gas Leak Detection and
Prevention
Rick Trieste
Department Manager - Research, Development &
Demonstration
Consolidated Edison Company of New York
17