Distributed-fibre-optic methane gas concentration detection

摘要

Abstract: A novel method for detecting methane gas concentration distribution is proposed, based on the characteristics of supported catalytic sensors (SCS) and optical fibers. The feasibility, performance, and applications prospects of this system are also discussed. After analyzing the operating procedure of SCS theoretically, the linear relationship between methane concentration and its working temperature was established. The response of temperature to the methane concentration change is time-dependent. In optical fibers, the Rayleigh backscatter coefficient depends upon the structure of the core material and is time dependent. This fact has been used to measure the temperature distribution along the fiber. Putting a series of sensors along the fiber, the working temperature and locations of these sensors and the methane concentration distribution along the fiber is obtained.