Innovation Exchange challenge: Locating and recording the route of hidden domestic gas pipework

The challenge

Cadent Gas is looking for innovative solutions which enable efficient non-intrusive identification and assessment of hidden gas pipework in homes, commercial buildings and public buildings (supermarkets, hospitals, schools) within their gas network, to identify suitability for a future hydrogen conversion. They currently carry out a visual inspection of pipework where possible and conduct a 21mbar pressure test to check the pipes and joints are intact. They are interested in what could be done beyond these current measures.

This IX challenge focusses on locating the pipework within the fabric of the building. The device should display a schematic of the building and location of the hidden pipework within the walls and floors, visible on the device. A hardcopy of the schematic may be displayed within the meter box as reference for any future work required on the installation. The device needs to be able to distinguish between gas pipes and other pipework in the building fabric (water, heating system, electrical ducting etc). The device needs to inspect through wooden floors, plaster board, concrete and other construction materials.

The device must be suitable for use in a typical UK home (limited space) and is anticipated to be hand-held making it easy for a single trained operative to carry and use.

The device will be gathering data from thousands of homes so the scanning process should be quick and efficient (approx. 30minutes). A balance between accuracy and scan duration is required. The device should be capable of transmitting the gathered data to the Cadent offices at regularly intervals (real time transmission is not required).

Under separate IX challenges Cadent is looking for devices which will assess the pipework material and its integrity – see our Opportunities page for details.

Who can apply

Entrants to this competition must be:

• Established businesses, start-ups, SMEs, academics or individual entrepreneurs
• UK based or have the intention to set up a UK base

Partnerships and consortia of organisations are welcome to apply to this competition.

If you feel you can only address part of this challenge, please apply and clearly state which aspects of the challenge your solution can address.

For further technical requirements, operating conditions, and more details on IP and commercialisation, visit the Innovation Exchange site at the link below.