Novel optical fibre gas sensors: application in harsh environment

Purpose and goal

The goal of NOVASENS is to assess the use of a new specialty optical fibre, anti-resonant hollow-core fibre, for simultaneous, faster and more efficient monitoring of several gas species, which is essential to comply with the current occupational exposure limits, reduce the risk of explosion in mines and essential for efficient control of heat treatment processes and to ensure high product quality in the steel industry. We will also investigate the feasibility of developing a distributed optical fibre gas sensor system and its applicability to mining and metallurgy industry.

Expected results and effects

Expected results are the following: – List of potentially appropriate specialty fibre, custom-made for gas sensing applications to meet requirements for a field test in industrial setting. – An advanced interrogation system, capable of probing several gas concentrations simultaneously, using the same fibre. – A feasibility study on (quasi) distributed optical fibre gas sensing solution.

Planned approach and implementation

– Get technical specifications for a fibre-optic gas sensing solution required by mining and metal industry from current stakeholders. – Identify future partners and plan for a full-scale application. – Model a specialty fibre, custom-made for gas sensing applications related to mining and steel production activities. – Develop an advanced interrogation system, capable of probing several gas concentrations simultaneously. and lab evaluation using two gases of interest identified by stakeholders.

More information

Presentation slides from Swedish Mining Innovation Day 2020