Fiber optic hydrogen sensor

Patent · 01 January 1992

OSTI ID:868493

Buchanan, Bruce R ^[1]; Prather, William S ^[2]

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1. 1985 Willis, Batesburg, SC 29006
2. 2419 Dickey Rd., Augusta, GA 30906

An 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: WESTINGHOUSE SAVANNAH RIVER CO
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: Buchanan, Bruce R. (1985 Willis, Batesburg, SC 29006);Prather, William S. (2419 Dickey Rd., Augusta, GA 30906)
• Patent Number(s): US 5153931
• OSTI ID: 868493
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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absorbed light
absorption
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apparatus
carried
carrying
changes
chemical
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cladding
coiled
connected
container
containers
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core
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light
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multiple
multiplexed
near
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optic
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placed
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preferably
process
rapid
reading
received
repeatedly
reversible
sample
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sequential
silica
single
source
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substance
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transmissivity
valves