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Title: Fiber optic hydrogen sensor

Abstract

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 readingmore » by a single spectrophotometer.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. 1985 Willis, Batesburg, SC 29006
  2. 2419 Dickey Rd., Augusta, GA 30906
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
868493
Patent Number(s):
5153931
Assignee:
Buchanan, Bruce R. (1985 Willis, Batesburg, SC 29006);Prather, William S. (2419 Dickey Rd., Augusta, GA 30906)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
DOE Contract Number:  
AC09-89SR18035
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
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/

Citation Formats

Buchanan, Bruce R, and Prather, William S. Fiber optic hydrogen sensor. United States: N. p., 1992. Web.
Buchanan, Bruce R, & Prather, William S. Fiber optic hydrogen sensor. United States.
Buchanan, Bruce R, and Prather, William S. Wed . "Fiber optic hydrogen sensor". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/868493.
@article{osti_868493,
title = {Fiber optic hydrogen sensor},
author = {Buchanan, Bruce R and Prather, William S},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992},
month = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992}
}