A ten channel fibre-optic device for distributed sensing of underground hydrocarbon leakage

Abstract

With millions of fuel storage tanks and oil pipelines installed around the world, there is inevitably frequent leakage of potentially hazardous hydrocarbons. As many of these installations are below ground, it can often be many years before the extent of the leak is discovered. We have previously reported the development of a sensor for the detection of such subterranean leaks, using infrared reflectometry to interrogate a hydrocarbon sensitive membrane. However, a single sensor cannot provide any information about the flow rate or direction of the leak. This paper describes the extension of the technology to a multi-channel distributed sensing system, using optical fibres capable of distributing the sensors over large subterranean areas. Results are reported from the evaluation of the device, which consisted of monitoring the movement of different hydrocarbons (gasoline, diesel and insulating oil) through a vertical sand-filled vessel.

Environmental Monitoring of Hydrocarbons: A Chemical Sensor Perspective

“…There is no doubt that the use of fiber-optic technology has increased the versatility of optical sensors and this makes them a powerful analytical tool. A number of groups have studied the response characteristics of various polymer-coated fiber optic sensors for the detection of a wide range of hydrocarbons in waters and soils ( − ). These studies have demonstrated that low hydrocarbon levels can be detected rapidly (<1 min) only under certain conditions.…”

The Development of a Sub-Surface Monitoring System for Organic Contamination in Soils and Groundwater

“…The novel design of the sensor head ( Fig. 1) incorporates a highly reflective hydrocarbon-specific membrane [3], supplied by Pall-Gelman Ltd (Portsmouth, U.K.). The membrane is protected on the exterior face by a 1-mm aluminium mesh.…”

“…Initially designed for soil and sediment monitoring, the sensors have been shown to respond to phase hydrocarbon contamination [3,6]. Recognising the potential risk to European water resources, determining the response to a range of hydrocarbons in water may enable initial quantification for pollution incidents.…”