See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/273001529

Distributed Fibre Optical Temperature Sensing Technique - A Variable Tool for

Monitoring Tasks

Conference Paper · June 2001

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.4295.3761

CITATIONS READS

39 1,165

5 authors, including:

Stephan Grosswig Andre Trostel

GESO GmbH & Co. Projekt KG 3 PUBLICATIONS 79 CITATIONS
99 PUBLICATIONS 766 CITATIONS
SEE PROFILE
SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Stephan Grosswig on 03 March 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Temperature and Thermal Measurements in Industry and Science
19 – 21 June 2001

DISTRIBUTED FIBRE OPTICAL TEMPERATURE SENSING

TECHNIQUE – A VARIABLE TOOL FOR MONITORING TASKS
St. Großwig, A. Graupner, E. Hurtig, K. Kühn, A. Trostel

GESO Gesellschaft für Sensorik, geotechnischen Umweltschutz und mathematische Modellierung mbH Jena,
Jena, Germany

ABSTRACT

The distributed fibre optical temperature sensing technique represents a new physical approach for temperature
measurements. Due to the time domain reflected measurement of the Raman backscattering effect of an optical
fibre temperature measurements are possible with a high spatial and temperature resolution in one, two and three
dimensions. It is shown that the fibre optic sensing technique gives quite new possibilities to detect and localize
leakages in pipelines, wells and water constructions such as dams and dikes. In gas and oil pipelines leakages
with very low leakage rates could be detected and localized. Leakage rates of even 50 ml/min at brine pipelines
and of 10 ml/h at chemical pipelines could be detected. Measurements of the temperature distribution in
underground gas storage facilities made simultaneously along the full length of a production string under varying
operating conditions, especially before, during and after pressure drawdown of the annulus, provided detailed
information on temperature anomalies which may be due to leakages from the production string or the casing or
to flows occurring behind the casing. Further case histories show the efficiency and applicability of the sensing
technique. Burning tests show that the fibre optic sensing technique has a good perspective for early fire
detection and fire warning in cable routes in buildings and other constructions.

1. INTRODUCTION

Many naturally and technically induced processes are connected to the variation of physical and
chemical parameters. A detailed knowledge of the temporal and spatial variations of these parameters
is the basis for process controlling, process optimisation and risk assessment. In many cases the
interesting parameters can not be measured directly, but they are connected to long-term or short-term
variations of the temperature field. Therefore, the temperature and its variation with space and time are
key parameters in a great number of monitoring tasks at technical plants, buildings and engineering
structures. Of special importance is the early detection and localization of temperature changes
indicating a significant damage risk. It is the aim to detect and localize risky situations in an early
stage and, thus, to optimise processes, to minimize possible damage, to warn people, and to control
escape strategies. Typical examples are the detection and localization of leakages at pipelines, wells,
water construction and other constructions, groundwater contamination or early fire detection.
For this purpose a temperature sensing system is needed with which temperature measurements can be
performed simultaneously over long distances with a high spatial and temperature resolution,
furthermore it must be ensured that the sensing technique (sensor and supply lines) itself is not a risk
parameter (e.g. by short current). The distributed fibre optical temperature sensing technique offers
these possibilities. The application and implementation of this method for different problems are
described in [5-8]. In this paper are discussed some recent measuring results.

2. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE DISTRIBUTED FIBRE OPTICAL TEMPERATURE

SENSING TECHNIQUE

The distributed fibre optical temperature sensing technique is based on the RAMAN effect and the so-
called Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) [1-4]. A pulsed laser is coupled into the optical
fibre which is the sensing element. In the fibre the photons interact with the molecules of the fibre

9
Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Temperature and Thermal Measurements in Industry and Science
19 – 21 June 2001

material. Therefore, the laser light is scattered as the laser pulse propagates through the fibre owing to
changes in density and composition of the fibre as well as to molecular and bulk vibrations. Some of
the photons are scattered backwards. The spectrum of the backscattered light includes the Rayleigh,
the Brillouin and the Raman backscattered light (fig. 1). The Raman backscattered light is caused by
thermally influenced molecular vibrations. Consequently, the Raman backscattered light carries the
information on the temperature of the fibre and can be used to obtain information about the
temperature distribution along the fibre. The Raman backscattering light has two components: the
Stokes and the Anti-Stokes component. The Stokes component is only weakly dependent on
temperature, while the Anti-Stokes component shows a strong relation to temperature.
The basic principle of the described technique consists in filtering the Stokes and the Anti-Stokes
components out of the backscattered light. They can be separated from the primary and the Rayleigh
backscattered light due to their differences in wavelength. The ratio of the intensities of both
components is calculated and transferred in temperature values using the internal reference
temperature of the equipment and an externally determined calibration function for the particular fibre
type. Taking the ratio of these intensities of the Stokes and the Anti-Stokes components external
influences such as fluctuations of the light source or age effects of the optical fibre are eliminated [1, 5, 6]:

Ia / Is = {(ν0 + νk )4 / (ν0 - νk )4} exp ( -hcνk / kT) (1)

Ia - intensity of Anti-Stokes-component
Is - intensity of Stokes-component
ν0 - light wave number
νk - shift of light wave number
h - Planck action quantum
c - velocity of the light within the optical fibre
k - Boltzmann-constant
T - temperature

transmitted
light

optical fibre
incoupled
light

backscattered light
intensity

Is Ia T
backscattering spectrum

wave number
Fig. 1: Measuring principle

The spectral analysis is combined with measuring the propagation time of the laser pulses along the
fibre (radar principle) because the velocity of the light in the fibre is known. Scanning the entire length
of the fibre by short intervals (e.g. 1 m) the temperature profile along the fibre is determined. It is
important that the measured temperature of each interval is the averaged temperature of that individual
fibre section in contrast to standard temperature sensors which give the local temperature at the
position of the sensor.
The absolute temperature is determined using a calibration function which depends on the specific
material properties of the optical fibre (geometry and chemical composition) and their temperature
dependence. These properties can be different for different optical fibres. Therefore, the calibration

10
Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Temperature and Thermal Measurements in Industry and Science
19 – 21 June 2001

function must be determined for the individual optical fibres before the measurements are performed.
An accuracy of the temperature measurements up to ± 0.3 K and a resolution up to 0.05 K can be
reached. The available accuracy is controlled by the accuracy of the fibre-specific calibration function,
whereas the available resolution and precision depend on the noise behaviour of the opto-electronic devices
(e.g. laser source, detectors, amplifier) and on the specific material properties of the used optical fibre [6].
Due to the high velocity of the light, fibre lengths of many kilometres can be scanned within fractions
of a second. As the scattering of the light is a stochastic process, it is necessary to integrate the
backscattered intensity for a given time interval. Taking a spatial resolution of 1 m an integration time
of some minutes is sufficient to minimize the stochastic noise.
When comparing with the standard temperature sensing technique the distributed fibre optical
temperature sensing method offers some important advantages:
1. continuous and simultaneous measurement of the temperature and its spatial distribution over long
distances using a single optical fibre cable as the sensing element,
2. no active electronic circuits along the cable,
3. inert and safe operation in hazardous environments,
4. immunity to electro-magnetic induction,
5. easy installation of the optical temperature sensing cable even over long distances,
6. Long-term temperature monitoring even if the measuring medium is no more accessible after
installation of the cable.
The device for the fibre optic temperature measurements included the transmitting and recording unit,
a portable computer for controlling and data analysis, and the fibre optical cable. The two Raman
bands (Stokes (s) and Anti-Stokes (a)) are separated and their intensities are determined. Finally, the
ratio of both intensities is calculated and transferred in temperature values. For the measurements
different devices were used with different technical parameters. Depending on the used device the
space resolution can be 0.25 m, the temperature resolution can reach 0.05 K and the temperature
accuracy can be better than + 0.3 K.

3. APPLICATIONS OF THE DISTRIBUTED FIBRE OPTICAL TEMPERATURE SENSING

METHOD

3.1 Leakage detection along high pressure gas, oil and product pipelines

Leakages of oil and gas from pipelines are dangerous for people and environment. Escaping oil
contaminates soil and groundwater. Escaping gas can cause explosions and is harmful to vegetation
and atmosphere. Furthermore, oil and gas leakages cause high economic losses. Therefore, it is
necessary to have a leakage detection system which is able to detect even small leakages with a high
spatial resolution. The distributed temperature sensing technique is predestined to this task. The
optical sensor cable, which includes the temperature sensitive fibres on its entire length, is installed
parallel to the pipeline to measure the temperature profile in the soil close to the pipe. Leaking oil or
other products are seeping downwards and cause usually a temperature anomaly below the pipeline
while gas propagates along the pressure gradient - mainly upwards - and causes a temperature anomaly
around the pipeline due to the expansion of the gas (Joule-Thomson effect). An automatic comparison
of the continuously measured temperature profile with reference profiles (measured during normal
operation) is an efficient and reliable method for leakage detection and long-term monitoring of oil
and gas pipelines. The sensor fibres also can be integrated into telecommunication cables.
Fig. 2 shows the results of a leakage test at a high-pressure gas pipeline. The pipeline was buried at a
depth of about 1 m. The gas pressure within the pipeline was about 64 bar. The fibre optical temperature
sensing cable was installed along the pipeline in the 6 o’clock position. The upper curve in fig. 2 shows the
soil temperature before opening the leakage. The lower curve shows the temperature distribution around
the leakage for a leaking rate of 1 l/s. The temperature decrease in the soil is 4°C [7].

11
Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Temperature and Thermal Measurements in Industry and Science
19 – 21 June 2001

14

temperature [°C]
13
12
11
10
9
8
1720 1721 1722 1723 1724 1725 1726 1727 1728 1729
length [ m]

Fig. 2: Temperature distribution along a high-pressure gas pipeline with a leakage rate of 1 l/s in
comparison to the normal stage

Fig. 3 shows test results for certificating the system as a leakage detection system for a brine
pipeline. The pipeline was buried at a depth of about 1.80 m. The temperature difference between
the leaking brine and the surrounding soil was about 5 K. The sensing cable was installed along the
pipeline in the 6 o’clock position. The lower curves in fig. 3 show the soil temperature before
opening the leakage. The upper curves show the temperature distribution around the leakages for a
leaking rate of 50 ml/min.

19
22.05.2000, 14:33
22.05.2000, 19:59
18.5 23.05.2000, 01:41
23.05.2000, 07:07
18 23.05.2000, 08:55
23.05.2000, 10:44
23.05.2000, 12:33
17.5

17

16.5

16

15.5

15
1130 1135 1140 1145 1150 1155

position [m]

Fig. 3: Temperature distribution along a brine pipeline with a leakage rate of 50 ml/min

Fig. 4 shows results obtained at a phenol pipeline with polyurethane foam insulation. At pipes with
polyurethane foam insulation a very small leakage causes variations of the caloric conductivity of the
foam because there are chemical reactions between the retired warm product and the foam. Using the
distributed temperature sensing technique it is possible to measure the temperature distribution along
the pipeline at the inner and the outer surface of the polyurethane foam insulation. The area of the
variation of the caloric conductivity of the foam caused by the leakage is detected by local temperature
changes at the outer surface of the polyurethane foam. Fig. 4 shows the comparison of the calculated

12
Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Temperature and Thermal Measurements in Industry and Science
19 – 21 June 2001

radial temperature distribution within the polyurethane foam insulation and measured values before
and after the phenol escape. The temperature of the product within the pipeline was about 62°C. The
leakage rate was about 10 ml per hour at a pressure of about 0,2 bar. The leakage was detected after a
time of about 5 days. The total volume of the retired phenol was about 1.2 l.

Fig. 4: Temperature distribution along a heated chemical pipeline with a leakage rate of 10 ml/h.

3.2 Long-time monitoring of underground storage facilities for oil and gas

Aquifers and former oil and gas reservoirs are used for underground gas storage, while caverns are
used for storing both gas and mineral oil products. The design, construction, management and
operation of underground storage facilities require interdisciplinary cooperation.
The temperature distribution inside a storage facility and its temporal variation are key parameters for
assessing the operating conditions. Measurements of the temperature distribution made simultaneously
along the full length of a production string under varying operating conditions, especially before,
during and after pressure drawdown of the annulus, provide detailed information on temperature
anomalies which may be due to leakages from the production string or the casing or to flows occurring
behind the casing. Because of the Joule Thomson effect any leakage will result in a temperature drop.
Points to look out for include collars, screwings, over-shot sealing units and travel joints. By
comparison with defined starting temperature conditions, leakages can thus easily be detected and
located. In combination with geological and petrophysical data, long-term temperature monitoring of
underground storage facilities can provide thermodynamic information on reservoir dynamics. The
storage capacity (gas volume and injection/withdrawal rates) depends strongly on temperature. The
same is true for the dew point, the vapour pressure and chemical reactions. Knowing exactly about
temperature vs. depth and time in a storage facility or a production well is crucial when it comes to
optimising the inhibition regime (methanol/glycol) and operating conditions. From a known well head
pressure and the thermodynamic equation of state it is possible to derive the pressure profile based on
the temperature profile.
Conventional temperature well logging does not allow measuring temperature vs. depth and time
simultaneously for the full length of a production string with a high depth and temperature resolution.

13
Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Temperature and Thermal Measurements in Industry and Science
19 – 21 June 2001

Moreover, standard borehole temperature probes may disturb the well’s temperature profile (e.g. by
producing turbulence or temperature changes caused by the thermal effect of the probe). Electrical
probes in gas-filled wells may lead to additional problems with regard to explosion protection. All
these problems can be overcome by using the distributed fibre-optical temperature sensing technique.
Fibre-optical temperature sensing cables can be installed permanently. This allows long-term
temperature surveying of underground storage facilities and production wells. For permanent
installation, the measuring cable is attached to the outside of the production string. Therefore, this type
of installation is only feasible on wells with a (new or reinstalled old) string. Owing to the technique's
high sensitivity, leakages can be located even where the sensing cable is installed only temporarily
inside the production string (see fig. 5). A temperature decrease in the annulus or the cementation will
affect the temperature inside the string and can easily be detected and located.

well scheme temperature [°C]

Polish Bore Receptacle (Fa. Brown)

OD 260,4 mm
943,1 m

947,3 m

949,4 m
5
Hold down (Fa. Brown)
5
(durch linksdrehen gesetzt,
durch rechtsdrehen lösbar.
Verhindert Bewegung nach oben)
950,5 m
MM Packer
~ 951,5 m

8 5/8" x 11 3/4" Boll Weevil Packer

(ziehbar) (Fa. Brown)
UK
953,2 m
8 5/8" Paßrohr
Muffe
954,7 m
Tie Back Extention Sleeve
954,9 m
Packer, Type SS (Fa. Brown)
OD 10 3/8" x ID 9 1/2"
MM
6
~956,6 m

Valve Assembly
957,7 m

8 5/8" x 11 3/4" Liner-Hänger

OD 10 3/8" x ID 7,825" C75
Type C (Fa. Brown)
958,0 m

Plug Holder Bushing

959,6 m

959,8 m

8 5/8" Liner-Rohrtour
10,16 m Wd/36 lbs/ft API L J-55

Fig. 5: Result of distributed fibre optical temperature measurements inside the production string of an
underground gas storage

For field use the fibre-optical sensing cable has to meet extreme technical requirements, i.e.
- it must be possible for the sensing cable to be freely suspended in a production string up to a depth of 2 km,
- the cable must withstand pressures of up to 300 bar and temperatures of up to 90°C at depths of 2 km,
- it must be guaranteed that the sensing cable can be reused after measurement in one string.

14
Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Temperature and Thermal Measurements in Industry and Science
19 – 21 June 2001

3.3 Temperature monitoring for detection of seepage zones at of dams and dikes

Reservoir dams and lateral dams which follow dammed up canals and waterways on both sides protect
the hinterland, the water seepage through these dams must be under constant observation. A long-term
survey has to detect and localize dam sections with an increased water seepage. Also, changes of the
water percolation rate with time have to be recorded. The distributed temperature sensing technique
can not only be used for determining the temperature distribution inside the concrete wall of a dam but
also for detecting water seepage zones. An increased water seepage occurs at leakages of sealing
systems of dams and dikes and represents a high risk for the stability of the dam. Measurements were
done in open drainage ditches running parallel to lateral dams of a waterway. The temperature of the
groundwater seepages through the dam is different from the temperature of the non-influenced soil or
open drain systems. Therefore, temperature anomalies are found at locations of preferred seepage
paths (see fig. 6). The temperature is used as a thermal tracer to detect seepage sections. The
temperature in the subsurface and in drains is strongly influenced by the daily or seasonal variations of
the air temperature. The distributed temperature sensing method offers the possibilities for the long-
term monitoring of dam sections with a high spatial resolution. The fibre optical sensing cable can be
installed in any configuration along the dam or in vertical or inclined boreholes in the dam. The cable
can also be installed in existing drain systems. The optimal installation of the cable depends on the
monitoring problem.

Fig. 6: Temperature distribution in a drainage ditch of a lateral dam with clear indications of warm
seepage water from the canal and of cool ground water

3.4 Long-term monitoring of ground water

Ground water is one of the most important raw materials and of vital interest. Contaminated water,
water from rivers and lakes or other fluids which infiltrates into the groundwater in general have a
temperature different from the normal groundwater temperature and therefore influence the
temperature of the ground water locally along the flow paths. The temperature field and its variation
with time can be used as a tracer to survey the water quality. Also variations of the ground water table
can be surveyed by the distributed temperature measurements. Furthermore, wetting of the ground can
induce biological processes and chemical reactions, most of those are exothermal. By this way the
temperature can be used as a sensitive tracer for various subsurface processes related to ground water
or the substrate’s water saturation. Using the fibre optic temperature sensing technique an efficient
surveying system can be set up.

15
 Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Temperature and Thermal Measurements in Industry and Science
19 – 21 June 2001

3.5 Long-term surveying and risk assessment of waste deposits and former waste disposal sites

The policy and legal regulations for protecting groundwater and natural environment require a long-
term surveying of waste disposal sites during the active phase of depositing material and after closing
the deposit. The temperature distribution and its temporal changes within a waste deposit and at the
base of a waste deposit are key parameters for the risk assessment of waste disposal sites. Heat is
produced by biological and chemical reactions. Chemical reactions in lags and ashes from industrial
waste disposal sites and in sulphidic material from overburden dumps produce a large amount of heat.
A planar or spatial configuration of the sensing cable is an efficient method for surveying waste
disposal sites and industrial dumps. The fibre optic sensing system can be used not only for detecting
heating areas but also for the detection and localization of leakage zones in sealing layers of waste
deposits.

3.6 Early Fire detection

Early fire detection in buildings, constructions, tunnels, cable routes is of extreme importance.
Besides of smoke, temperature is the main parameter in fire detection systems. The distributed
fibre optic temperature sensing technique opens new possibilities for early fire detection. The
length of the sensing cable can be up to several kilometres and can easily be attached to a cable
route in a building, in tunnels and other technical structures. No other electronic sensors are
needed. The gauge delivers the temperature data in form of temperature/location sets.
The temperature data are processed and visualized using commercial computer-aided facility
management (CAFM)- systems. The data can be presented as 2-dimensional colour coded
temperature distribution maps of defined areas (see fig.7 left side) or as temperature values at defined
locations. Automatic warning is possible if given threshold values are crossed.
10

8
21
7 20
Y co-ordinate [m]

6 19
18
5
17
4 16

3 15
14
2
13
1

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
X co-ordinate [m]

Fig. 7: 2D map 15min after catch fire (left) and temperature development (right) during a burning test

Fig. 7 shows the results of a burning test. The cable was installed at the ceiling of the test hall in a
height of about 4 m. The burned material was about 800 cm³ dry beech firewood. This small fire
causes a temperature increase of about 11 K at the ceiling of the test hall. After extinguishing the fire
the temperature at the ceiling drops down rapidly.

16
 Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Temperature and Thermal Measurements in Industry and Science
19 – 21 June 2001

This monitoring system also offers a permanent comparison between the monitored data and limits of
the temperature range for process controlling. In case of critical situations safety measures can be
started automatically. The operator of the monitoring system is able to survey and to control online the
evacuation according to the situation in the building. The system can be applied for controlling and
setting of chemical plants, for fire detection and temperature monitoring of thermal processes [8].

4. CONCLUSION

The fibre optic temperature sensing technique opens new possibilities for short-term and long-term
monitoring of the temperature field.
The results show that leakages can be detected and localized in pipelines, wells and water
constructions such as dams and dikes even if the leakage rate is small. Leakage rates of even 50
ml/min at brine pipelines and of 10 ml/h at chemical pipelines could be detected. Measurements of the
temperature distribution in underground gas storage facilities provided detailed information on
temperature anomalies which may be due to leakages from the production string or the casing or to
flows occurring behind the casing.
Burning tests show that the fibre optic sensing technique has a good perspective for early fire detection
and fire warning in cable routes in buildings and other constructions.
As general conclusion the fibre optic sensing technique can be used to detect and localize risky
situations in an early stage and, thus, to optimise processes, to minimize possible damage, to warn
people, and to control escape strategies.

5. REFERENCES

[1] Brandmüller, J., Moser, H. (1962) Wissenschaftliche Forschungsberichte – Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe

(Herausgeber: Brügel. W., Jäger, R.) – Band 70: Einführung in die Ramanspektroskopie. Dr. Dietrich Steinkopf
Verlag Darmstadt: 236 – 248.
[2] Bojarski, A.A. (1993) Distributed Fiber Optic Temperature Sensing. In: F. Ansari: Applications of Fiber
Optic Sensors in Egineering Mechanics. America Society of Civil Engineers: 210 - 224.
[3] Dakin, J.P., Pratt, D.J., Bibby, G.W. and Ross, J.N. (1985) Distributed optical fiber Raman temperature sensor
using a semiconductor light source and detector. Electronic Letters, 21: 569-570.
[4] Hartog, A. and Gamble, G. (1991) Photonic distributed sensing. Physics World 3, 45- 49.
[5] Hurtig, E., Großwig, S., Jobmann, M., Kühn, K. and Marschall, P. (1994). Fibre optic temperature
measurements in boreholes: application for fluid logging. Geothermics 23 (4): 355-364.
[6] Großwig, S., Hurtig, E., Kasch, M. und Kühn, K. (1998). Die ortsaufgelöste Temperaturmeßtechnik -
Leistungsfähigkeit und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten im Umwelt- und Geobereich anhand ausgewählter
Beispiele. Temperatur´98“, Verein Deutscher Ingenieure - VDI-Berichte Nr.1379, VDI-Verlag Düsseldorf
1998 (ISBN 3-18-091379-7): 87-92.
[7] Kasch, M., Hurtig, E., Großwig, S. and Schubart, P. (1997). Leak Detection and Online Surveying at Underground
Gas Pipelines Using Fibre Optic Temperature Sensing. OIL GAS - European Magazine 3/1997: 17-21.
[8] Hurtig, E., Großwig, S. (1998). Distributed Fiber Optics for Temperature Sensing in Buildings and other Structures.
Proceedings of the 24th Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, Vol. 3/4: 1829-1834

Addresses of the Authors:

Dr. Stephan Großwig, GESO Gesellschaft für Sensorik, geotechnischen Umweltschutz und mathematische
Modellierung mbH Jena, Löbstedter Str. 47b, D-07749 Jena, Germany, E-mail: [email protected], Internet:
http://www.geso-online.de

17

View publication stats