Fiber optic hydrogen sensor

Patent · 06 October 1992

OSTI ID:7049921

Buchanan, B R; Prather, W S

An apparatus and method are described 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. 4 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: PTO; EDB-94-086996
• Patent Number(s): US 5153931; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-678520
• OSTI ID: 7049921
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
080800* -- Hydrogen-- Properties & Composition
CHEMICAL COATING
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISORPTION
DEPOSITION
DESIGN
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FIBERS
HYDROGEN METERS
INFRARED RADIATION
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METERS
OPERATION
OPTICAL FIBERS
RADIATIONS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
SPECTROPHOTOMETRY
SURFACE COATING