This project provides California gas utilities with “smart” solutions to implement gas safety shutoff devices and sensors. Currently, gas infrastructure lacks the enhanced safety features needed to terminate the flow of gas in a building after detection of a hazardous incident such as a gas leak or fire. This project addresses the hurdles that exist in the implementation, integration, and data management of a smart safety system for utility gas customers.
A gas smart shutoff safety system consists of smart sensors, smart shutoff valves, network communication, and a software-user interface. These smart sensors detect both abnormal concentrations of gas (gas leak) and temperature (fire) and communicate hazard readings to the gas utility and emergency responders. Depending on the readings from these smart sensors, smart valves can either be actuated remotely or programmed to close if hazardous gas concentrations or high temperatures are detected. The valve closure stops the gas flow and reduces the threat of building fires or explosions.
The specific objectives of this project were to:
Determine gas customer preferences with smart shutoff safety systems.
Identify emerging gas concentration and temperature safety sensors and network communication practices and procedures.
Integrate and test promising safety sensors and communication protocols to validate the performance of the gas smart shutoff system.
Perform a pilot demonstration of a gas smart shutoff system for residential and commercial customers.
The project successfully demonstrated the safety system in both residential and commercial buildings during an initial installation. After more than six months had passed, the safety system was again exposed to hazards and the safety system successfully functioned as designed. All components of the safety system were improved as a result of this project, and these components are available for sale in the consumer market. Installation of this safety system on California buildings would improve gas safety.
Author(s)
Dennis Jarnecke, Joe Carlstrom, Chris Ziolkowski, Joseph Irwin, GTI Energy
