Distributed temperature sensing of fiber optics under harsh conditions

DTS in harsh conditionsAccording to a recent study, the technology of distributed temperature sensing allows demonstrating the mechanical properties of fiber optics under harsh conditions. The fact is that numerous land and undersea oil procedures depend heavily on distributed temperature sensing for providing safety and functionality in severe environments.

Usually, the manufacturers use silica-based fiber optics for distributed temperature sensing and distributed acoustic sensing, where temperature and acoustic signals are transmitted and recorded continuously along the length of fiber sensor cable. Such fiber optic solution for FBG interrogator of 15 km length enables well and pipeline operators to apply fiber-based distributed sensing technology to measure the whole wellbore or pipeline span with a resolution of 1 m or less virtually in real-time.

For example, the technology of distributed temperature sensing with fiber optics is used in the operation of steam-assisted gravity drainage or SAGD technique, in which the main goal is the production of heavy crude oil and bitumen materials. Nevertheless, it is only one example, while distributed temperature sensing has numerous fiber optic applications.

It should be noted that the distributed temperature sensing system monitors the following extreme environments while optical fiber operation: high temperatures and pressures, ionizing radiation, and aggressive chemicals in the environment. However, in order to be applied in such severe conditions, fiber optics have to be highly reliable, while transmitting optical power with a minimum of added signal loss.

Most of the fiber sensor cables used in fiber optic applications contain a silica-based core and cladding because of the silica benefits that include high optical fiber transmission, superior thermal stability, and mechanical reliability. Herewith, the use of a polymer coating in fiber cables provides the mechanical protection of fiber optics and minimization of bend-induced optical attenuation.

The technology of distributed temperature sensing also enables to detect the factors limiting the performance of fiber optic cables at elevated temperatures and/or in aggressive conditions. The most frequent failures for fiber optics are related to added attenuation or loss of mechanical strength. Herewith, failure criteria differ from each other and depend on the type of fiber optic application.

If you want to obtain a highly efficient distributed temperature sensing system, you should choose the Optromix company. Optromix is a manufacturer of innovative fiber optic products for the global market. The company provides the most technologically advanced fiber optic solutions for monitoring worldwide. Optromix is a fast-growing vendor of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) products line such as fiber Bragg grating sensors, FBG interrogators and multiplexers, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) systems, distributed temperature sensing (DTS) systems. If you are interested in DTS systems and want to learn more, please contact us at info@optromix.com

FBG sensors: a comprehensive review

FBG sensorsA fiber Bragg grating is an optical interferometer embedded in an optical fiber. At the same time, fiber optics combined with certain substances (usually germanium) can change its refractive factor when the fiber is exposed to ultraviolet light. If such a fiber is illuminated with ultraviolet light with a specific spatial periodic structure, the optical fiber becomes a kind of diffraction grating. In other words, this optical fiber will almost completely reflect the light of a certain, predetermined range of wavelengths, and transmit light of all other wavelengths.

Application of FBG sensors

The FGB application includes the following fields:

  • Point sensors (that is able to measure deformation, temperature, pressure, tilt, displacement), embedded in composite materials and others;
  • Laser systems and amplifiers (filters, mirrors);
  • Telecommunications (dispersion compensation modules, WDM technology);
  • Research and development.

Difference between electrical and fiber sensors

For decades, electrical sensors (tensor-resistive, string, potentiometric, etc.) have been the main method of measuring physical and mechanical phenomena. Despite their widespread use, electrical sensors have several disadvantages, such as loss during signal transmission, sensibility to electromagnetic interference, the need to organize a spark-resistant electrical circuit (if there is a danger of explosion). These mentioned above limitations make electrical sensors unsuitable or difficult to use for a number of applications.

The use of fiber optic sensors is an excellent solution to these problems. In fiber optic sensors, the signal is light in the optical fiber instead of electricity in the copper wire at traditional electrical sensors.

Over the past twenty years, a huge number of innovations in optoelectronics and in the field of fiber optic telecommunications has led to a significant reduction in prices for optical components and to a significant improvement in their quality. This factor allows fiber optic sensors to move from the category of experimental laboratory tools to the category of widely used devices in various areas.

Operating principle of Bragg gratings

A fiber Bragg grating or FBG acts as a sensitive element of point fiber optic sensors, which is capable to reflect certain wavelengths of light and transmit all others.  This effect is achieved by periodically changing the refractive index in the core of the fiber optics.

When the laser light passes through an optical fiber, a part of it is reflected from the fiber grating at a certain wavelength. This peak of reflected light is registered by measuring equipment. As a result of the numerous parameters influence, the interval between the FBG bundles and the refractive index of the fiber optics change.

Consequently, the wavelength of the light reflected from the fiber Bragg grating changes. In addition, it is possible to determine the exact characteristics of the changes by changing the wavelength. In fiber optic sensors based on Bragg gratings, the measured value is converted to a Bragg wavelength offset. The recording system converts the wavelength offset into an electrical signal.

The sensing element of such FBG sensor does not contain electronic components and therefore it is completely passive, which means it can be used in the area of increased explosiveness, aggressiveness, strong electromagnetic interference. Numerous fiber Bragg gratings can be installed on a single fiber, each of which gives a response at its own wavelength. In this case, instead of a point sensor, we get a distributed sensing system with multiplexing along the wavelength.

The use of the light wavelength as an information parameter makes the FBG sensor insensitive to the long-term changes of the parameters of the source and radiation detector, as well as random attenuation of power in the optical fiber.

Common types of FBG sensors

The following types of fiber optic sensors  based on FBG technology are used for automated monitoring:

The principle of FGB sensor operation is based on the modulation of one or several properties of a propagating light wave (intensity, phase, polarization, frequency), which change occurs with a change in the measured physical quantity.

The basis of fiber-optic sensing technology is an optical fiber – a thin glass thread that transmits light through its core. The optical fiber consists of three main components: core, shell, and coating. The shell reflects the scattered light back into the core, allowing light to pass through the core with minimal loss.

It can be achieved by a higher refractive index in the core relative to the shell, resulting in a complete internal reflection of light. The outer coating protects the fiber optics from external influences and physical damage. It can consist of several layers depending on the required protection.

Benefits of fiber sensors based on Bragg gratings

The advantages of FBG sensors include:

  • Wide sensing range;
  • Possibility to integrate the FBG sensing system into the object structure;
  • Full fire and explosion safety;
  • Long-distance signal transmission;
  • Integration of several fiber optic sensors in one channel;
  • Insensitiveness to electromagnetic and radio frequency influences;
  • No need for recalibration (stable over time under constant external conditions).

Bridge, Australia, BridgeAt the moment, most of the sensors used in the world are electrical sensors. As it was mentioned above, in optical sensors based on fiber Bragg gratings, the signal is light passing through an optical fiber (instead of an electric current passing through a copper wire). This fundamental difference allows FBG sensors to overcome many problems typical for electrical sensors.

Features of fiber optic sensors

Optical fibers and sensors are non-conductive, electrically passive, and immune to electromagnetic interference. Monitoring with a tunable high-power laser system allows sensing over long distances with virtually no signal loss. In addition, each optical channel is able to monitor a variety of FBG sensors unlike the electrical channel, which significantly reduces the size and complexity of such a sensing system.

Optical sensing systems are ideal for use in conditions where conventional electrical sensors (strain gauge, string, thermistor, etc.) can be difficult to use (long distances, EM fields, explosion safety, etc.).  It is easy to switch to fiber optic solutions since the installation and operation of optical sensors are similar to traditional electrical sensors.

Understanding the principles of FBG operation and the benefits of Bragg grating sensor applications can greatly facilitate the solution of various problems in the field of sensing measurement (for example, monitoring of structures).

Nowadays FBG sensors are applied in various fields that require precise and fast measurements. Fiber Bragg sensing systems can be used in aeronautic, automotive, civil engineering structure monitoring, undersea oil exploration, in the mining industry, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, tunnel construction engineering, etc.

Bragg sensors in medicine

The most promising application of FBG sensors is medicine. Now FBG technology is highly used for fiber-based biomedical sensing including biosensing, safety or security, and structural health monitoring. FBG sensors offer a new and effective way of real-time measurements. They can be applied in laser systems, medical tiny intra-aortic probes, and body sensors for biochemical analysis making.

For example, today fiber Bragg gratings apply optical-fiber sensing probes that are able to dissolve due to such ability as controlled solubility in a physiological environment. Thus,  FBG technology enables safer diagnostic of sensitive human organs and there is no need for a surgical extraction. The development of FBG continues, and it is possible that very soon new FBG sensors with improved characteristics appear.

How to choose the right fiber optic product?

If you want to obtain a highly efficient sensing system, you should choose the Optromix company. Optromix is a manufacturer of innovative fiber optic products for the global market. The company provides the most technologically advanced fiber optic solutions for monitoring worldwide. Optromix is a fast-growing vendor of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) products line such as fiber Bragg grating sensors, FBG interrogators and multiplexers, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) systems, distributed temperature sensing (DTS) systems. If you are interested in FBG sensors and want to learn more, please contact us at info@optromix.com

DTS system controls oil rim movement

DTS for oil rim detectionToday operators in highly fractured carbonate reservoirs use running wireline gradiometric surveys as a traditional way of oil-rim movement monitoring. Nevertheless, the method is not ideal because it does not allow providing the necessary information in a manner timely enough to influence operations since the surveys are conducted just a few times a year. Distributed temperature sensing (DTS) system is an alternative solution that overcomes these drawbacks.

Distributed temperature sensing offers real-time monitoring of the oil rim in carbonate reservoirs. DTS technology is based on the use of optical-fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) and is able to measure pressure in extreme environmental conditions. It should be noted that the DTS system does not require electronics, herewith it provides long service term even at elevated downhole temperatures. Also, distributed temperature sensing is quite stable, it can determine even small pressure changes.

Moreover, dozens of distributed temperature sensors can be implemented on one fiber optic cable connected to the FBG interrogator. The principle of operation includes a diaphragm pressure transducer that converts changes in the hydrostatic pressure of its environment into the deformation of a pressure-sensitive diaphragm, and then into the strain, within an optical fiber attached to the diaphragm. The thing is that optical fibers offer numerous advantages for oil and gas industry application, containing the following:

  • high transmission efficiency that means the FBG interrogator can be installed several kilometers away from the downhole sensors;
  • high data quality and accuracy due to data encoding in the light wavelength;
  • data immunity to the electromagnetic influence by machines;

At present time the information about pressure and temperature measurements, as well as system-health and self-diagnostic information are transmitted from the FBG interrogator into a database at 3-hour intervals. If fresh data sets are obtained, an algorithm processes them into gas/oil-contact and oil/water-contact locations. Also, it is possible to visualize pressure, temperature, and fluid-level data to see them in real-time.

Further improvement of the DTS system will allow the application of the system for the production monitoring in ultrahigh-temperature thermal-recovery wells, where fluid temperatures up to 280 °C can be reached. Finally, distributed temperature sensing provides the reduction of a production delay, the reduction of operational costs, health, safety, and environmental risk reduction, and the possibility of system expansion.

Optromix is a fast-growing vendor of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) product line such as fiber Bragg grating sensors, FBG interrogators and multiplexers, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems, Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) systems. The company creates and supplies a broad variety of fiber optic solutions for monitoring worldwide. If you are interested in temperature measurement systems and want to learn more, please contact us at info@optromix.com

Total information about fiber optic temperature sensor

FBG temperature sensorsToday all modern industries include highly complex and sensitive operations that require permanent operational conditions that are possible to provide due to the use of advanced technologies for temperature measurement. One of the potential solutions is the use of fiber optic temperature sensors.

 

There are several ways of temperature measurement: classic mercury glass thermometer, infrared pyrometer, electronic thermometer. However, the most effective method is fiber temperature sensing because it provides accurate measurement compared to the mentioned techniques and has numerous fields of application such as high voltage machines, nuclear power plants, chemical power plants, etc.

The types of fiber temperature sensors include interferometric and non-interferometric sensors. The traditional non-interferometric sensor has multi-mode optical fiber construction and materials that are sensitive to temperature. Also, they are able to register changes, for example, absorption, transmission, and reflection parameters due to temperature variation.

The simple interferometric fiber optic temperature sensors are more flexible and provide the sensitivity of a higher level. The fields of the use include temperature, pressure, rotation, strain, etc. The principle of the operation is the comparison of the beam phase through sensing fiber with the reference beam.

The advantages of optical temperature sensors:

  • Immunity to electromagnetic and stray radiation;
  • Possibility of the use in hard electrical conditions;
  • Greater accuracy and faster response time;
  • Lightweight and compact size;
  • Low cost;
  • Wide temperature measurement range.

Nevertheless, fiber optic temperature sensors are not ideal and have some disadvantages such as different temperature ranges of operation and measurement accuracy for different types of sensors, the difficulties of development expensive price for some optical sensors.

Optromix is a fast-growing vendor of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) products line such as fiber Bragg grating sensors, FBG interrogators and multiplexers, Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems, Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS)systems. The company creates and supplies a broad variety of fiber optic solutions for monitoring worldwide. If you are interested in temperature measurement systems and want to learn more, please contact us at info@optromix.com

New Distributed Temperature Sensing allows fast oil extraction

DTS for oil extractionThe traditional methods of oil extraction become less and less productive despite growing human needs. Today the main challenge of the oil industry is the development of a new way for oil recovering from unconventional sources. The solution is the extraction of oil or kerogen shales that allow diminishing oil prices.

It is possible, because of the distributed temperature sensing (DTS) method that uses optical fiber cables, however, DTS with optical fibers using polymeric coatings becomes not efficient at temperatures exceeding 300°C, but optical fibers coated in gold withstand the temperature.

 

A conventional way of oil extraction includes drilling a well into a location underground, where oil flows freely from a reservoir. Also, oil can be removed using non-traditional methods. Thus, unconventional oils, for example, oil shale, are becoming more economically and technically accessible techniques thanks to absolutely new modern technologies.

Distributed temperature sensing becomes the main tool for unconventional oil recovering that makes the process more efficient with advanced methods, such as the measurement of the whole well system temperature. To be precise, it is possible for DTS to monitor the temperature at several points along the well, where optical fibers are used as the temperature sensor element.

Since the majority of DTS systems use optical fibers covered with polymeric coatings, their use is limited for temperatures up to 300 °C, because the fiber life expectancy is gradually reducing.

Such high temperatures of 350 °C are necessary for kerogen to oil conversion. So new distributed temperature sensing with optical fibers coated in gold is able to stand temperatures as high as 700 °C and identify hot spots that are highly important to regulating in-ground systems.

 

One of the main aims of the new DTS program is the actual well temperatures measurement. Moreover, continuously monitoring well temperatures is crucial for precisely controlling the amount and rate of heat applied because finally, this estimates the amount of oil that will be extracted at the time of the in-situ retort process.

Also distributed temperature sensor systems are used in numerous fields, for example, power cable monitoring, fire detection, leakage detection, industrial induction furnace surveillance, pipelines integrity surveillance, healthcare and biomedicine areas, etc. Nevertheless, the use of DTS systems in oil and gas production is the main factor driving the growth of the DTS market.   

Optromix is a DTS system manufacturer that provides top of the line distributed temperature sensing systems suitable for monitoring the underground power cable temperature profile. If you have any questions or would like to buy a DTS system, please contact us at info@optromix.com

Distributed Sensing Technology for Different Types of Power Cable Monitoring

DTS for power cable monitoringDistributed sensing technology includes distributed temperature sensing, distributed acoustic sensing, and to a lesser degree distributed strain monitoring. Distributed sensing technology has been prevalent in the power and utility sector since the 1980s and the largest area where this technology is commonly used is in the power cabling monitoring. Due to the evaluation of the technology most power cable condition monitoring applications have historically been associated with distributed temperature sensing, but nowadays engineers and scientists are increasingly using distributed acoustic sensing in different applications.

The applications for distributed temperature sensing in power cable monitoring includes:

  • Real-time thermal rating of cables (also known as dynamic cable rating). This has primarily been for buried cables, subsea cables, and cable tunnels, but they’re also have been applications for overhead cables;
  • Hotspot detection;
  • Fire detection for cables.

One of the key factors in the configuration of the distributed temperature sensing systems has been the position of the fiber optic sensing cable in relation to the power cable. At its best, the DTS fiber optic sensing element would be located within the construction of the power cable itself. However, in many cases, the DTS fiber sensing element is attached to the surface of the power cable configuration (or in the vicinity), because of cable construction design or installation issues around splice joints.

There are various areas, types of cables, and applications covered by distributed sensing technology including:

  1. Buried (underground) cable monitoring;
  2. Tunnel cable monitoring;

 

  1. Subsea power cable monitoring (subsea cables are difficult to access and expensive to repair);
  2. Overhead cable monitoring.

Power cable links can be critical assets in project commercial liabilities. Power links, for example, are used to energize offshore installation in the oil and gas pipeline monitoring market. Outages have tangible commercial implications, so that project risks are managed more effectively through better asset life management.

Optromix is a fast-growing seller of such products from the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) line of products: fiber Bragg grating sensors, FBG interrogators, and multiplexers and, of course, Distributed Temperature, Acoustic, and Strain Sensing systems (DTS). Our major goal is to deliver the best quality of fiber optic sensors to our clients. Optromix creates and supplies a broad variety of excellent fiber-optic solutions for the monitoring of various facilities all over the world.

If you would like to purchase Distributed Temperature (DTS), Distributed Acoustic (DAS), or Distributed Strain systems, please contact us: info@optromix.com

 

Distributed Temperature Sensing systems: Benefits and Applications

Distributed Temperature SensingOne of the most promising directions in the development of systems for controlling of temperature of high-voltage power lines, fire alarm systems, oil and gas fields, and others are DTS systems. Distributed Temperature Sensing Systems is a rising technology which will be further actively developed in the near future. According to the forecasts, the price of such fiber-optic DTS systems will continue to decline while the productivity of them will continue to increase. Distributed Temperature Sensing technology becomes more applicable and more popular for many applications in a wide range of industries.

DTS systems were actively involved in various areas of scientific and engineering developments since the 1980s as temperature systems which can measure temperature with a high degree of accuracy over significant distances. In addition to this, such optoelectronic systems were able to provide a continuous profile of the temperature distribution along the fiber-optic cable or other devices. The main measuring principles were based on detecting the back-scattering of light using the Rayleigh, Raman, and Brillouin principles.

The key to the understanding of fiber-optic Distributed Temperature Sensing systems is awareness of the fact that the optical fiber itself is the sensor and the instrumentation provides measurements on every 1m along the length of the fiber. What does this mean? This means that the operator is able to receive temperature information at all points from the moment of cable installation. Real advantages of DTS systems become apparent when a temperature profile of the installation is required or when a large number of sensing points is crucial. DTS systems are much more convenient than any conventional temperature sensing technology.

Distributed Temperature Sensing technology becomes practical for many applications. For instance, one of the most promising technologies based on the DTS principle is linear optical fire detection. Such fire detection allows us to detect fire and localize the seat of the fire within a building with 1m resolution. Also, DTS systems are applied, for instance, in the oil and gas industry. The systems in question are used to monitor the temperature log of the well. In addition to this, fiber-optic DTS systems provide an opportunity to upscale the measurements to large spatial extents and monitor the temporal dynamics of the hydrological processes. Recent enhancements of this technology based on distributed sensing systems have allowed the balance of energy and fluid mass at a watershed scale. However, it is difficult to say that about all cases of DTS application. These systems are involved in the power systems, in cables for better ampacity judgment and in safety applications like the mines are reviewed. So it is not surprising that the number of companies providing DTS systems is growing ever so much.

Optromix is a fast-growing seller of such products from the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) line of products: fiber Bragg grating sensors, FBG interrogators and multiplexers, and, of course, Distributed Temperature Sensing Systems (DTS). Our major goal is to deliver the best quality of fiber-optic sensors to our clients. Optromix creates and supplies a broad variety of excellent fiber-optic solutions for the monitoring of various facilities all over the world.

If you would like to purchase DTS (Distributed Temperature System), please contact us: info@optromix.com

Fiber Bragg grating sensors for bolt force status monitoring

Over the past decades, bolts support has become a widely used method of roadway roof failure control due to the easy construction and its efficient reinforcement. Moreover, bolts support improve surrounding rock structure stability. Underground coal mining has been extending to deeper levels where high-stress conditions are present; high stress causes roof subsidence and floor heaving in coal mine roadways. This can have a negative effect on the safety of the miners and construction integrity. Therefore, real-time monitoring of bolts in coal mine roadways is vital for the long-term safety and stability of the surrounding rock structures.

The systems that are used currently for real-time status monitoring of the bolts support structures are easily affected by the harsh environments and high levels of stress. Fiber Bragg grating sensing technology provides a new and effective way of real-time measurements. FBG sensors have become one of the most promising optical fiber passive device applications. Fiber Bragg grating sensors have a variety of applications and are widely used for temperature sensing (FBG temperature sensors), pressure sensing (FBG pressure sensors), acceleration sensing (FBG accelerometers), deformation sensing (FBG displacement sensors), etc.

FBG sensors have multiple advantages over traditionally used measurement equipment: FBG sensors are immune to electromagnetic interference, have a strong multiplexing ability, high reliability, and sensitivity. Fiber Bragg grating sensing technology is already used in a variety of applications, like geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, civil engineering, tunnel construction engineering.

The use of FBG sensors in engineering applications shows that fiber optic sensors can automatically acquire, and monitoring results are of great significance in roadway anchorage engineering safety and bolt support quality evaluation.

Optromix, Inc. is a U.S. manufacturer of innovative fiber optic products for the global market, based in Cambridge, MA. Our team always strives to provide the most technologically advanced fiber optic solutions for our clients. Our main goal is to deliver the best quality fiber optic products to our clients. We produce a wide range of fiber optic devices, including our cutting-edge customized fiber optic Bragg grating product line and fiber Bragg grating sensor systems.

If you are interested in Optromix FBG sensors, please contact us at info@optromix.com

 

Fiber Bragg gratings sensors for extreme environment sensing

Over the past couple of decades, fiber Bragg gratings have been used effectively as sensors for a wide variety of applications. A rapid increase in the popularity of FBG sensors is explained by the numerous advantages that they provide. FBG sensors are superior to other traditional means of environment measurement. FBG sensors are immune to electromagnetic interference and are resistant to harsh environments and corrosion. FBG sensors can be multiplexed; this ability was originally developed for optical network applications, however, it can be exploited in order to create sensor geometries that are quasi-distributed. This technology can be used for real-time measurements of temperature, strain, deformation, etc. Some popular and promising applications of fiber optic sensors include structural health monitoring of civil structures, for haptic sensing for robot appendages, and ‘smart skins’ for ships or aerospace vehicles.

Distributed FBG sensors are utilized in the oil and gas sector by oil field service companies for temperature and pressure monitoring of oil well downhole and reservoirs. Harsh environments of  20 kpsi and 185◦C are common there; the use of FBG sensors provides accurate measurement and collection of all the data parameters important for the field.

FBG sensors can also be utilized in environments where high temperatures are prevalent. Such environments are often found within power plants, gas or aerospace turbines, combustion systems, etc. Most FBG temperature sensors are thermally stable at least up to 1000 ◦C in standard telecom fibers.

Another area of application for FBG temperature sensors is gas turbine monitoring. The FBG sensor arrays facilitate measurements of hot gas working temperatures within a turbine; this data is critical for safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective operation. Accurate measurements of the blades and vanes inside the turbines will allow preventing overheating of the turbine blades due to inhomogeneous combustions.

Optromix, Inc. is a U.S. manufacturer of innovative fiber optic products for the global market, based in Cambridge, MA. Our team always strives to provide the most technologically advanced fiber optic solutions for our clients. Our main goal is to deliver the best quality fiber optic products to our clients. We produce a wide range of fiber optic devices, including our cutting-edge customized fiber optic Bragg grating product line and fiber Bragg grating sensor systems.

Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) temperature sensors and FBG interrogators in power line monitoring and temperature surveillance

FBG interrogators for power line monitoringElectricity is the backbone of modern civilization; it holds the development of both economy and technology. It is established that it is no longer an option to rely on existing infrastructure as there is a need to constantly evolve and adapt to the growing demand of the populace. The state of current infrastructure is weakened by its age of installation or by the growing demand of the population. The breakdown is imminent as it cannot bear the burden of previous years.

As the demand for energy increases, the need to monitor the efficiency of the assets arises. Despite the increased number of new power assets, it still cannot cater to the demand of the entire nations.

The development of fiber optic sensing technology became prominent for the monitoring of the power line temperature. Fiber optic sensors, including FBG temperature sensors, have proven to be valuable for the industry. It is immune to electromagnetic interference, mechanical vibrations, and electric noise. FBG sensors are more reliable and perform best under harsh conditions.

FBG temperature sensors are introduced into a fiber where they are evenly placed. The light that travels through the fiber will experience a wavelength shift if any strain is applied to the sensors. This, in turn, causes a magnitude change of the reflections that allow for accurate measurements to be performed. FBG that is used inside the sensors is highly sensitive to not only mechanical deformation but also temperature changes. To obtain and process signals emitted by FBG sensors, FBG interrogators are used. These devices can carry out spectrum analysis.

FBG temperature sensors can capture ultra-fast events in real-time, providing useful data for power line integrity monitoring and localization of stress areas. An accumulation of the data on the temperature profile of the power lines can be useful for the improvement of the intensity of the electrical current, the maintenance of power lines, and determine a threshold of the power cables. The data obtained will allow for a surplus of energy to meet modern energy needs while sustaining existing power assets.

Nowadays FBG sensors are used in a variety of different fields that require accurate and fast measurements. Depending on the nature of the application, FBG temperature sensors, FBG strain sensors, FBG pressure sensors, FBG displacement sensors may be utilized. The sensors are often accompanied by FBG interrogators to interpret the signals, and FBG multiplexers to create large monitoring systems with a big number of FBG sensors. The more complex the sensor system, the more intricate data can be obtained.

Optromix offers a wide range of FBG sensors, including FBG temperature sensors, as well as FBG multiplexers, and FBG interrogators. If you would like to purchase fiber Bragg grating sensors, please contact us: info@optromix.com or +1 617 558 9858