Design considerations for infrared fiber optic sensors

Jeffrey W. Griffin; Norman C. Anheier Jr.; Robert E. Osantowski; Charlene A. Matlock; Khris B. Olsen

doi:10.1117/12.170671

10 March 1994 Design considerations for infrared fiber optic sensors

Jeffrey W. Griffin, Norman C. Anheier Jr., Robert E. Osantowski, Charlene A. Matlock, Khris B. Olsen

Proceedings Volume 2068, Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Fiber Sensors V; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.170671
Event: Optical Tools for Manufacturing and Advanced Automation, 1993, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

This presentation focuses on mechanical and electro-optical design considerations embodied in VOtect^TM -- an infrared fiber optic sensor for volatile organic compounds. Presently, the VOtect^TM system is configured for remote detection of hydrocarbon vapors associated with gasoline and other internal-combustion fuels. Using commercially available zirconate glass optical fibers, the sensor exploits the overlap of absorption spectra due to carbon-hydrogen stretching vibrations between 3.3 and 3.6 microns, with the optical output of an infrared HeNe laser operating at 3.39 microns. Compensation for position-dependent fiber bending losses is achieved using 1.15-micron radiation simultaneously emitted by the laser source. Initial laboratory evaluations of the VOtect^TM system indicates detection sensitivities well below the lower explosion limits for petroleum distillates, indicating the usefulness of the sensor for petrochemical safety applications. The sensor is intrinsically safe (e.g., explosion-proof), since no electrical power is required at the probe tip. Preliminary sensor optical power budget calculations indicate that the zirconate fiber optic umbilical, which connects the sensor probe to the electro-optical detection system, can be as long as several hundred meters. Calibration data for a variety of hydrocarbons indicate linear relationships between ln(V/V_o) and vapor concentration, suggesting that the sensor should prove useful for on-line, real-time process control applications.

Citation Download Citation

Jeffrey W. Griffin, Norman C. Anheier Jr., Robert E. Osantowski, Charlene A. Matlock, and Khris B. Olsen "Design considerations for infrared fiber optic sensors", Proc. SPIE 2068, Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Fiber Sensors V, (10 March 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.170671

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