Fiber-optic interferometric sensor for gas flow measurements

Conference · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5815096

Kaminski, W R ^[1]; Griffin, J W; Bates, J M ^[2]

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1. Central Washington Univ., Ellensburg, WA (United States)
2. Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)

This paper presents the results of an investigation to determine the feasibility of a novel approach to measuring gas flow in a pipe. An optical fiber is stretched across a pipe and serves as a sensor which is based upon the well-established principle of vortex shedding of a cylinder in cross-flow. The resulting time varying optical signal produces a frequency component proportional to the average velocity in the pipe which is in turn proportional to volumetric flow. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer is used to enhance the accuracy of the vortex shedding frequency signal. The analytical and experimental effort discussed herein shows that the concept is feasible and holds promise for a sensitive and accurate flow measuring technique.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; WASU; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830; FG06-89ER75522
• OSTI ID: 5815096
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-19773; CONF-911213--22; ON: DE92007182
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440600 -- Optical Instrumentation-- (1990-)
440800* -- Miscellaneous Instrumentation-- (1990-)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FIBER OPTICS
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
INTERFEROMETERS
INTERFEROMETRY
MACH-ZEHNDER INTERFEROMETER
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEASURING METHODS
PIPES