SoCalGas presents customer‑meter study and sealant tests; proposes preventive meter‑set redesigns

SoCalGas staff summarized R&D focusing on customer‑side meter‑set emissions and interventions to prevent common leak modes.

The utility said it completed a system‑wide sampling program that measured flow rates at more than 400 meter‑set leaks and sampled non‑detected leaks to better understand small‑magnitude emissions. The analysis found that a small set of component types (actuators/regulators, meters and certain sealing elements) account for a disproportionate share of emissions, while threaded connections and insulating bushings were frequent but not always the largest emitters when detected.

To prevent meter‑set leaks rather than only repairing them after detection, SoCalGas described candidate design changes: smaller ultrasonic meter sets that reduce threaded connections and add pressure sensing; “zero‑emission” regulator designs with internal shutoff to prevent continuous venting on failure; and JoMar‑brand valves and other valve designs that reduce stem‑leak risk and remove some insulating bushings.

Separately, SoCalGas reported an experimental program testing sealants for threaded connections and found that tapes performed better than pastes under elevated‑temperature, high‑pressure cycling; three tape products survived the more rigorous tests summarily described in the presentation and are moving to longevity testing. The utility also said it will perform failure‑mode analysis on recovered components (valves, gaskets, threaded assemblies) to pinpoint root causes and better target preventive measures.

SoCalGas and workshop attendees discussed practical issues such as how repeated maintenance activities can introduce contaminants to gaskets and threads and how fleet experience and training can affect repair quality. Utility presenters said they have an ongoing pilot to test ultrasonic meters alongside standard diaphragm meters to compare performance and durability in the field.