Distributed Temperature & Strain Sensing

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Distributed Temperature and Distributed Strain Sensing systems (DTSS) monitor temperature or strain along fiber optic cables to provide comprehensive asset oversight. This technology offers accurate temperature readings for monitoring purposes or detects mechanical strain, allowing for the identification of stress and potential structural issues. By examining the light interactions within the fiber optic cables, DTSS systems provide real-time information, facilitating preventive maintenance and corrective measures for essential assets like power cables, pipelines, and infrastructure (such as bridges, dams, and other buildings), thus ensuring thermal stability and structural integrity.

How DTSS Works

Distributed Temperature and Strain Sensing (DTSS) employs standard optical fibers that can extend for many kilometers to track temperature or mechanical strain throughout an asset. These systems deliver a spatially detailed profile, allowing for real-time, precise measurements of temperature or strain distributions, which is particularly suitable for extensive infrastructures like pipelines, power cables, and structural assets. By combining temperature and strain sensing, DTSS facilitates thorough monitoring of asset health, providing valuable insights into both thermal and mechanical states with a resolution as fine as one meter along the fiber.

Distributed Temperature & Strain Sensing (DTSS)

DTSS technology utilizes Brillouin optical scattering, which is sensitive to both temperature and strain in the optical fiber. When a laser pulse is introduced into the fiber, the interaction with the fiber material causes light to scatter back. The backscatter’s optical characteristics, such as frequency and amplitude, change in relation to the temperature and strain experienced by the fiber. This information is analyzed continuously. The system employs optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) to accurately identify the locations of these changes by measuring the time delay of the returning signal, similar to radar techniques.

Brillouin Technology for Temperature & Strain Monitoring

Brillouin Technology for Temperature & Strain Monitoring

In systems utilizing Brillouin-based Distributed Temperature and Strain Sensing (DTSS), the characteristics of the backscatter signal are influenced by variations in both temperature and strain, which facilitates the monitoring of both factors. Assessing the impacts of temperature and strain along optical fibers allows for the early identification of possible hazards, such as excessive heat, structural stress, or mechanical alterations, thereby promoting the safety and durability of essential infrastructure. This approach offers a comprehensive perspective on asset condition, enabling prompt actions and reducing the likelihood of severe failures.

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Distributed Temperature Sensing

Benefits & Advantages of Distributed Temperature & Strain Sensing

Distributed Temperature & Strain Sensing (DTSS) technology offers advanced monitoring capabilities by tracking temperature or mechanical strain along an optical cable , ensuring the reliability and safety of critical infrastructure assets.

Continuous Temperature & Strain Profile Measurement

DTSS systems provide continuous, real-time monitoring of thermal or strain conditions, allowing precise localization of anomalies such as hotspots or mechanical stress. Covering dozens of kilometers per measurement unit, these systems ensure comprehensive asset monitoring. For applications like power cables or pipelines, this capability allows for the early detection of temperature abnormalities or stress points, preventing costly damage or failure. Additionally, continuous thermal or strain data enables precise management of operations such as cool-down phases or stress relief in critical infrastructure.

DTSS systems are designed to function reliably in extreme industrial environments, including those with high heat, dust, dirt, or corrosive elements. The optical fibers used are non-corrosive making them ideal for harsh environments. Depending on the fiber design and coating, DTSS technology can monitor a wide temperature range, while withstanding harsh mechanical stresses.

One outstanding advantage of DTSS systems is their immunity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), which is crucial for environments with high levels of electrical noise, such as power substations or industrial plants. As the sensors are optical, they are not disturbed by EMI or radio frequency interference (RFI), ensuring accurate and uninterrupted data transmission even in challenging electromagnetic environments. This makes DTSS systems a reliable solution for continuous monitoring in such conditions, providing undisturbed readings of both temperature and strain.

The sensitivity of DTSS systems ensures that even minor temperature or strain changes can be detected in real-time. This high level of accuracy is essential for applications where small variations can indicate critical changes, such as in pipeline or structural health monitoring. By detecting these changes early, DTSS technology enables predictive maintenance, improving the lifespan and safety of monitored assets.

Cost-effectiveness and low maintenance requirements
DTSS systems offer significant cost savings compared to traditional sensor-based systems. Using a single passive optical fiber to monitor long distances reduces the need for multiple sensors and associated installation costs. The distributed nature of DTSS means that any point along the fiber is monitored equally, ensuring complete coverage without gaps. Furthermore, the low maintenance requirements of optical fibers contribute to long-term operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, making DTSS a preferred solution for industries looking to reduce both downtime and maintenance expenses.
By leveraging these benefits, Distributed Temperature & Strain Sensing provides industries with a robust, reliable, and cost-effective monitoring solution for maintaining the integrity of critical infrastructure under thermal or mechanical stress.

Use Cases of DTSS Systems

Distributed Temperature & Strain Sensing (DTSS) systems are critical for real-time monitoring of thermal or mechanical stress in various infrastructure applications. Leveraging Brillouin-OTDR technology, DTSS systems provide comprehensive, high-precision data, ensuring asset safety, longevity and performance.

Airway Security’s DTSS System

DTSS N62-Series

The innovative DTSS N62-Series stands a testament to cutting-edge engineering. Leveraging the advanced capabilities of B-OTDR technology, this DTSS system ensures exceptional measurement performance for monitoring long assets.

Discover More About Our Brillouin-based DTSS System Here
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Airway Security, known for its reliable performance and ongoing innovation, provides a fully integrated, comprehensive solution crafted in Germany. Our team collaborates with you to choose the ideal combination of technologies that meet your needs.

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Key Takeaways

Distributed Temperature and Strain Sensing (DTSS) systems present a holistic method for monitoring assets by assessing temperature or mechanical strain across extensive distances. By employing Brillouin-OTDR technology, DTSS delivers real-time information with excellent spatial resolution and precise measurements, facilitating the early identification of thermal irregularities or structural stress.

DTSS is ideal for various sectors such as power cable, pipeline, and infrastructure surveillance. It improves operational safety, extends asset longevity, and aids in failure prevention, providing a dependable method for preserving the integrity of essential infrastructure.