Fiber optic hydrogen sensor

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:868493

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

---

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: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• 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

Related Subjects

fiber
optic
hydrogen
sensor
apparatus
method
detecting
chemical
substance
exposing
core
cladding
adsorbed
surface
coiled
inside
container
pair
valves
controlling
entrance
exit
light
source
received
preferably
external
carried
changes
transmissivity
measured
spectrophotometer
detected
absorption
infrared
silica
adsorption
reversible
according
repeatedly
multiple
positions
process
monitored
single
connected
location
sample
obtained
measurement
alternatively
containers
placed
near
position
fibers
carrying
partially-absorbed
multiplexed
rapid
sequential
reading
hydrogen sensor
infrared light
optic fiber
light source
fiber optic
chemical substance
optic fibers
placed near
optic hydrogen
absorbed light
/385/250/