Distributed Sensors

13.1 Introduction
Distributed optical fiber sensors are those sensors which monitor
a single measurand at a large number of locations or continuously over
the path of the optical fiber. The measurand can be a physical or a
chemical quantity. The distributed optical fiber sensor generally consists
of a common light source, optical fiber to carry light to the sensing
probes and a return fiber to carry modulated light to a photodetector.
These sensors can utilize any kind of light modulations described earlier.
The advantages associated with distributed sensing are reduced number
of components and hence the cost, reduced weight and cabling and
electrical passivity. The applications include the measurements of
temperature, pressure, strain, current and chemical concentration.

If

the measurand is monitored continuously along the fiber length then

the sensor is called intrinsic distributed sensor. If it is measured at a finite
number of locations then the sensor is called quasi-distributed sensor.
The quasi distributed sensor has a number of advantages over intrinsic
distributed sensor.In quasi-distributed sensor, spatial resolution is not as
important as in intrinsic distributed sensor provided that individual
sensors can be clearly resolved. Further, in quasi-distributed sensing, the
sensor elements can be tailored in terms of responsivity and range to
meet the specific needs of the application. In this chapter we shall
describe various kinds of distributed sensing approaches and few optical
fiber distributed sensors.

13.3 Intrinsic distributed temperature sensor

As defined earlier, in intrinsic distributed sensors the measurand is
determined continuously along the fiber path. In this section we shall
describe intrinsic distributed sensors for the measurement of temperature.
Optical fiber distributed temperature sensors have a wide range of
applications in power supply industry, oil and gas industries, process
industries, buildings, tunnels and transportations as mentioned below:
A. Power supply industry
1. Fiber optic distributed temperature sensor can monitor the
temperature of the power transformers windings. Thus hot spots,
if present, in the windings can be detected and the transformer can
be saved from burning.
2. Distributed optical fiber temperature sensor can be used to monitor
the temperature of cooling pipes of a large power generators. If the

cooling pipes are blocked the temperature will increase and it may
damage the generator.
3. The capacity of high voltage transmission lines depends on their
temperature. If a sensing fiber is installed inside one of the
conductors of the transmission lines their temperature can be
monitored.
4. In thermal power stations high pressure steam pipes are used. The
distributed optical fiber temperature sensor can be used to detect
leakage from these pipes.

For all these applications, the fiber must have correct dielectric
properties, be nonconductive, non-tracking, non-contaminating and
avoid the creation of locally enhanced electric fields. Suitable coatings
are required to achieve these objectives and at the same time protect
the fiber and withstand the temperature and the chemical attacks they
will be subjected to (e.g. transformer oil)

B. Petrochemicals (Oil and gas industries)

In petrochemical industries distributed temperature sensor can be
used to monitor pipeline temperature. It can also be used to detect gas
leakage because gas leakage causes change in temperature.

C. Process industry
The distributed optical fiber temperature sensor can be used to
monitor long thermal curing or, drying process industry. It can also
monitor overheating in machines ( e.g. in bearings) before damage to
the equipment has occurred.
D. Buildings, tunnels, transportation
Fires inside the buildings, tunnels ships and planes occur to fault in
cables. A distributed optical fiber temperature sensor installed in these
can detect the outbreak of a fire very quickly wherever it occurs.

E. Construction
Distributed temperature sensors can be used as a temperature
measuring device or as a fire alarm in heating and air conditioning
units in buildings. They can also monitor the exothermic curing of
concrete in dams. This is important because heat weakens the structure.
For this the fiber is buried within the structure. For this fiber is buried
within the structure.