Fiber optic hydrogen sensor
Apparatus and method for detecting a chemical substance by exposing an optic fiber having a core and a cladding to the chemical substance so that the chemical substance can be adsorbed onto the surface of the cladding. The optic fiber is coiled inside a container having a pair of valves for controlling the entrance and exit of the substance. Light from a light source is received by one end of the optic fiber, preferably external to the container, and carried by the core of the fiber. Adsorbed substance changes the transmissivity of the fiber as measured by a spectrophotometer at the other end, also preferably external to the container. Hydrogen is detected by the absorption of infrared light carried by an optic fiber with a silica cladding. Since the adsorption is reversible, a sensor according to the present invention can be used repeatedly. Multiple positions in a process system can be monitored using a single container that can be connected to each location to be monitored so that a sample can be obtained for measurement, or, alternatively, containers can be placed near each position and the optic fibers carrying the partially-absorbed light can be multiplexed for rapid sequential reading, by a single spectrophotometer.
- Research Organization:
- Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-89SR18035
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- PATENTS-US-A7678520
- Application Number:
- ON: DE93015612; PAN: 7-678,520
- OSTI ID:
- 10166457
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 1991
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
OPTICAL SPECTROMETERS
DESIGN
HYDROGEN
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
HYDROGEN METERS
INVENTIONS
OPTICAL FIBERS
GAS ANALYSIS
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
MULTIPLEXERS
SPECTROPHOTOMETERS
INFRARED RADIATION
400102
440600
CHEMICAL AND SPECTRAL PROCEDURES
OPTICAL INSTRUMENTATION