What is distributed temperature sensing?

Distributed temperature sensing is the use of optical fiber cables to detect temperature differences in electrical systems, tunnels, underground holes and lakes or streams. Fiber cables use laser to transmit specific light wavelengths along the length of the cable. Voltage or temperature changes cause laser light dispersion and detection systems and software allow the location and amount of temperature difference to be determined with excellent accuracy.

Using distributed temperature sensing from optical fibers, it can be monitored over long distances, making it the ideal technology to monitor temperature in distant or underground. The optics light scattering characteristics can also measure cable and temperature voltage. Distributed temperature sensing can be paired with voltage measurement for pipe monitoring or dams for leakage. This allows laser light to travel long distances with a small reduction in force. Local temperatures outside the fiber cable change the molecular structure of glass fibers and Je measured by the corresponding changes in the back -up light measured at both ends of the optical cable. Light detectors and software programs are used to measure and quantify the amount of light that is scattered and thus a change in local temperature. The cable properties from the optical fibers also allow the location of the temperature change to be calculated with good accuracy.

Distributed temperature sensing systems have been deployed that can monitor temperatures over 18 km (30 km). Fiber optics are also durable, resistant to electric interference and can be used at temperatures of more than 700 ° Fahrenheit (about 370 ° C). Unlike thermocoups or infrared URE temperatures, distributed temperature sensing is continuous over the entire length of optical fibers. On a continuous basis, the software can show temperatures anywhere in the optical fiber cable, not only at specific points.

the only materThe iálem, which needs to be installed on long distances, is an optical cable, so with monitoring sensors and software analysis installed with laser transmission, installation and maintenance costs are low. The effects of optical fiber scattering do not require exotic materials or special cables, so the optical fiber cables used for telecommunications can also be used theoretically to monitor temperatures. This combination of fiber optics has seen a growing interest in the early 21st century for soil and water resources monitoring in the environment, especially because optical fiber networks spread rapidly for high -speed telecommunications and Internet connection.