Fiber Optic Fabry-Perot Interferometric Sensor Interrogated by the Amplified Spontaneous Emission of an Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier for Geothermal Applications

摘要

As a clean, reliable, and comparatively inexpensive alternative to fossil fuels, geothermal electricity generation could provide energy for fifty years or more if properly managed. Real-time and remote measurement of some key parameters of the geothermal well as well as their temporal and spatial variations can provide critical information to improve plant efficiency and optimize plant operation to accommodate a resource that is declining with time. A hermetically sealed single mode fiber extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (EFPI) sensor was developed for in-situ monitoring the temperature of geothermal wells. The amplified spontaneous emission of an erbium doped fiber amplifier was investigated as the broadband source to interrogate the fiber EFPI temperature sensor. Real-time compensation of the source spectrum distortion was investigated to improve the measurement accuracy and extend the sensor lifetime.