Distributed fiber optic sensor for liquid hydrocarbon detection

Alistair MacLean; Chris Moran; Walter Johnstone; Brian Culshaw; Dan Marsh; Geoff Andrews

doi:10.1117/12.435550

6 August 2001 Distributed fiber optic sensor for liquid hydrocarbon detection

Alistair MacLean, Chris Moran, Walter Johnstone, Brian Culshaw, Dan Marsh, Geoff Andrews

Proceedings Volume 4328, Smart Structures and Materials 2001: Sensory Phenomena and Measurement Instrumentation for Smart Structures and Materials; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.435550
Event: SPIE's 8th Annual International Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials, 2001, Newport Beach, CA, United States

Abstract

A distributed fiber optic sensor for the detection and location of hydrocarbon fuel spills is presented. The sensor is designed such that liquid swelling polymers transducer their swelling into a microbend force on an optical fiber when exposed to hydrocarbon fuels. Interrogation of the sensor using standard Optical Time Domain Reflectometry techniques provides the possibility of rapidly detecting and locating target hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals at multiple positions along the sensor length. Events can typically be located to a precision of 2 m over a 10 km sensor length. Sensor response time on exposure to the hydrocarbon fuel is within 30 seconds. A detailed explanation of the operational characteristics of the sensor and the underlying technology utilized in its operation is given. Experimental tests using prototype sensors to simultaneously detect three separate 50 centimeter-long events are described. The characteristics of the sensor response in a range of hydrocarbon fuels under varying environmental conditions were investigated. Some of the safety advantages in using the sensor and its practical implementation in continuous monitoring of pipelines or fuel containment vessels are discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Alistair MacLean, Chris Moran, Walter Johnstone, Brian Culshaw, Dan Marsh, and Geoff Andrews "Distributed fiber optic sensor for liquid hydrocarbon detection", Proc. SPIE 4328, Smart Structures and Materials 2001: Sensory Phenomena and Measurement Instrumentation for Smart Structures and Materials, (6 August 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.435550

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