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WO2002082036A1 - Device and method for identifying and locating a substance that is leaking into the environment - Google Patents

Device and method for identifying and locating a substance that is leaking into the environment Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002082036A1
WO2002082036A1 PCT/EP2002/003492 EP0203492W WO02082036A1 WO 2002082036 A1 WO2002082036 A1 WO 2002082036A1 EP 0203492 W EP0203492 W EP 0203492W WO 02082036 A1 WO02082036 A1 WO 02082036A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
substance
optical fiber
collecting line
manifold
location
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
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PCT/EP2002/003492
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Karl-Heinz Storb
Peter Jax
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Areva GmbH
Original Assignee
Framatome ANP GmbH
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Publication of WO2002082036A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002082036A1/en
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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01MTESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/04Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
    • G01M3/042Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point by using materials which expand, contract, disintegrate, or decompose in contact with a fluid
    • G01M3/045Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point by using materials which expand, contract, disintegrate, or decompose in contact with a fluid with electrical detection means
    • G01M3/047Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point by using materials which expand, contract, disintegrate, or decompose in contact with a fluid with electrical detection means with photo-electrical detection means, e.g. using optical fibres
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01MTESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/002Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using thermal means
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01MTESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/04Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
    • G01M3/20Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material
    • G01M3/22Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using special tracer materials, e.g. dye, fluorescent material, radioactive material for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device and a method for detecting and locating a substance escaping into the environment, in particular for leak detection and leak detection in a system.
  • a leakage detection and location system (LEOS) is known in which the substance to be detected and leaked into the environment penetrates into a collecting line and is conveyed there together with a transport medium to a sensor arranged at the end of the collecting line, that detects the substance that has penetrated the manifold.
  • the manifold is connected to a pump with which cyclical, ie. H. in successive and temporally spaced-apart pumping operations, volumes of a transport medium, for example air, are conveyed through the manifold.
  • the collecting line is arranged in the vicinity of a system to be monitored, in particular along a pipeline.
  • the substance that has leaked out reaches the collecting line and penetrates it. As a result, a concentration maximum of the substance forms in the vicinity of the leak in the collecting line laid there. This concentration maximum reaches the sensor during the next pumping process. If the transport speed is known, the location of the leak can be determined from the time elapsing between the pump being switched on and the sensor responding.
  • the spatial resolution of the known system is but unsatisfactory in particular for long manifolds due to the inevitable mixing and diffusion processes during the transport of the transport medium for a number of application cases.
  • the invention is based on the object of specifying a device and a method for the detection and location of a substance escaping into the environment, the local resolution of which is improved, while at the same time being highly sensitive to detection, compared to the known leakage detection and location system or method.
  • the stated object is achieved with a device with the features of claim 1 or a method with the features of claim 6.
  • the device according to the invention comprises a manifold which is permeable to the substance and which is connected to a pump and to a sensor for the substance.
  • An optical fiber is installed in the vicinity of the collecting line, the local transmission properties of which are influenced by the material, and which is optically coupled to an optical transmitter and receiver device for measuring the transit time of the light that is coupled into and backscattered into the optical fiber.
  • the substance exiting into the environment must be suitable for changing or disrupting the transmission properties of the optical fiber at the location in question such that at least some of the light coupled into the optical fiber is scattered back at this location.
  • This measure increases the spatial resolution of the known method, since with a runtime measurement of the backscattered light spatial resolutions in the range of a few centimeters can be achieved.
  • the qualitative detection sensitivity of the sensor is supported by the high spatial resolution of the fiber-optic transit time measurement, so that when both phenomena occur, there is on the one hand a higher redundancy and on the other hand a significantly improved spatial resolution.
  • Optical fiber laid inside the manifold This ensures that only substances intended for detection with the LEOS system can act on the optical fiber, so that the redundancy of both measurement methods is increased.
  • the optical fiber is preferably connected to an optical transmitting and receiving device for measuring the temperature distribution along the optical fiber on the basis of the Raman effect.
  • this measure detects a change in the temperature distribution along the collecting line with high local resolution. This takes advantage of the fact that the exit of a substance into the environment often also leads to a change in temperature at this point, for example through exothermic or endothermic chemical reactions or through thermodynamic processes, for example cooling when the substance flows out of the plant or through evaporation.
  • a gaseous or liquid reactant is located in the interior of the collecting line, which reactant with the gas entering the collecting line reacting material exothermic or endothermic.
  • the material causes a change in the physical properties of the jacket of the optical fiber. This enables the detection of substances that do not produce a change in temperature in the environment, but only attack the fiber cladding by chemical reaction and in this way influence the proportion of the backscattered light.
  • FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention in a schematic basic illustration
  • Figure 2 shows a section through a manifold with an optical fiber laid in this.
  • a manifold 4 is laid along a system part, in the exemplary embodiment a tube 2, which is provided with a jacket wall which is permeable to the substance A transported in the tube 2.
  • the manifold 4 is connected to a pump 6, which discontinuously conveys a fluid medium, for example a liquid, a neutral gas or a reactant R, through the manifold 4.
  • a sensor 8 is connected to the collecting line 4 at a predetermined distance from the pump 6, with which it is possible to detect a substance A which has penetrated into the collecting line 4 on a chemical or physical basis. to demonstrate the path.
  • an optical fiber 20 is laid, the transmission properties of which either through the substance A or through the heat tone q (release or removal of heat q) generated by the emerging substance A in the vicinity of the optical fiber 20, for example an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction a reactant R, for example hydrogen, which is fed into the collecting line 4 specifically for this purpose, is locally changed.
  • a reactant R for example hydrogen
  • the optical fiber 20 can be arranged outside the collecting line 4, or at least in the vicinity thereof, as is illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 1.
  • the optical fiber 20 is connected to a pulsed light source 22, preferably a semiconductor laser, which generates light pulses P with a pulse duration in the range of a few ns at predetermined time intervals.
  • the light pulses are coupled into the optical fiber 20 via a beam splitter 24.
  • the light S (scattered light) backscattered in the optical fiber 20 is fed with the aid of the beam splitter 24 to a receiving device 26, with which the intensity of the backscattered light S can be measured integrally or wavelength-selectively depending on the transit time.
  • the propagation time of the scattered light S is a measure of the scattering location x, so that local inhomogeneities in the transmission properties of the optical fiber 20 can be inferred from the temporal intensity profile of the scattered light S.
  • the scattered light S can be caused by Rayleigh scattering (scattered light S and transmitted light P have the same frequency) as well Raman scattering (scattered light S and transmitted light P have different frequencies).
  • the former is the case when the substance A penetrating into the collecting line 4 locally damages the jacket 20b surrounding the core 20a of the optical fiber 20 by chemical reaction, and the changed transmission properties of the optical fiber 20 become noticeable by an increased scattering component ,
  • This damage or change to the jacket 20b can take place through direct action of the substance A on the jacket 20b or through an indirect action on the jacket 20b with the aid of a gaseous or liquid reactant R located in the collecting line.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
  • Investigating, Analyzing Materials By Fluorescence Or Luminescence (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for identifying and locating a substance (A) that is leaking into the environment, in particular for identifying and locating leaks in a system. Said device comprises a collection conduit (4), which is permeable to the substance (A) and is connected to a pump (6) and a sensor (8) for the substance (A). An optical fibre (20) is laid in the vicinity of the collection conduit (4), the transmission characteristics of said fibre being affected by the substance (A). Said optical fibre is optically coupled to an optical transceiver device (22, 24, 26) for measuring the transit time of the backscattered light (S).

Description

Einrichtung und Verfahren zur Erkennung und Ortung eines in die Umgebung austretenden Stoffes Device and method for the detection and location of a substance escaping into the environment

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Einrichtung und ein Verfahren zur Erkennung und Ortung eines in die Umgebung austretenden Stoffes, insbesondere zur Leckageerkennung und Leckageortung in einer Anlage.The invention relates to a device and a method for detecting and locating a substance escaping into the environment, in particular for leak detection and leak detection in a system.

Aus der DE 24 31 907 C3 ist ein Leckageerkennungs- und Ortungssystem (LEOS) bekannt, bei dem der zu detektierende und in die Umgebung ausgetretene Stoff in eine Sammelleitung eindringt und dort gemeinsam mit einem Transportmedium zu einem am Ende der Sammelleitung angeordneten Sensor befördert wird, der den in die Sammelleitung eingedrungenen Stoff erkennt. Die Sammelleitung ist hierzu an eine Pumpe angeschlossen, mit der zyklisch, d. h. in nacheinander erfolgenden und zeitlich voneinander beabstandeten Pumpvorgängen, Volumina eines Trans- portmediums, beispielsweise Luft, durch die Sammelleitung hindurchbefördert wird. Die Sammelleitung ist in der Nähe einer zu überwachenden Anlage, insbesondere entlang einer Rohrleitung, angeordnet. Bei einem Leck in der Anlage oder in der Rohrleitung gelangt der aus dem Leck ausgetretene Stoff zur Sammelleitung und dringt in diese ein. Es bildet sich dadurch in der Nähe des Lecks in der dort verlegten Sammelleitung ein Konzentrationsmaximum des Stoffes aus. Beim nächsten Pumpvorgang gelangt dieses Konzentrationsmaximum zum Sensor. Aus der Zeitspanne, die zwischen dem Einschalten der Pumpe und dem An- sprechen des Sensors vergeht, kann bei bekannter Transportgeschwindigkeit der Leckageort bestimmt werden.From DE 24 31 907 C3 a leakage detection and location system (LEOS) is known in which the substance to be detected and leaked into the environment penetrates into a collecting line and is conveyed there together with a transport medium to a sensor arranged at the end of the collecting line, that detects the substance that has penetrated the manifold. For this purpose, the manifold is connected to a pump with which cyclical, ie. H. in successive and temporally spaced-apart pumping operations, volumes of a transport medium, for example air, are conveyed through the manifold. The collecting line is arranged in the vicinity of a system to be monitored, in particular along a pipeline. If there is a leak in the system or in the pipeline, the substance that has leaked out reaches the collecting line and penetrates it. As a result, a concentration maximum of the substance forms in the vicinity of the leak in the collecting line laid there. This concentration maximum reaches the sensor during the next pumping process. If the transport speed is known, the location of the leak can be determined from the time elapsing between the pump being switched on and the sensor responding.

Das räumliche Auflösungsvermögen des bekannten Systems ist aber insbesondere bei langen Sammelleitungen aufgrund der unvermeidlichen Mischungs- und Diffusionsprozesse während des Transports des Transportmediums für eine Reihe von Anwendungs- fallen unbefriedigend.The spatial resolution of the known system is but unsatisfactory in particular for long manifolds due to the inevitable mixing and diffusion processes during the transport of the transport medium for a number of application cases.

Der Erfindung liegt nun die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Einrichtung und ein Verfahren zur Erkennung und Ortung eines in die Umgebung austretenden Stoffes anzugeben, deren örtliches Auflösungsvermögen bei zugleich hoher Nachweisempfindlichkeit ge- genüber dem bekannten Leckageerkennungs- und Leckageortungs- System bzw. -verfahren verbessert ist.The invention is based on the object of specifying a device and a method for the detection and location of a substance escaping into the environment, the local resolution of which is improved, while at the same time being highly sensitive to detection, compared to the known leakage detection and location system or method.

Die genannte Aufgabe wird gemäß der Erfindung gelöst mit einer Einrichtung mit den Merkmalen des Patentanspruches 1 bzw. ei- nem Verfahren mit den Merkmalen des Patentanspruches 6.According to the invention, the stated object is achieved with a device with the features of claim 1 or a method with the features of claim 6.

Die Einrichtung gemäß der Erfindung umfasst eine Sammelleitung, die für den Stoff permeabel ist und die an eine Pumpe sowie an einen Sensor für den Stoff angeschlossen ist. In der Umgebung der Sammelleitung ist eine Lichtleitfaser verlegt, deren lokale Übertragungseigenschaften vom Stoff beeinflusst werden, und die an eine optische Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung zur Messung der Laufzeit des in die Lichtleitfaser eingekoppelten und zurückgestreuten Lichtes optisch gekoppelt ist.The device according to the invention comprises a manifold which is permeable to the substance and which is connected to a pump and to a sensor for the substance. An optical fiber is installed in the vicinity of the collecting line, the local transmission properties of which are influenced by the material, and which is optically coupled to an optical transmitter and receiver device for measuring the transit time of the light that is coupled into and backscattered into the optical fiber.

Der in die Umgebung austretende Stoff muss geeignet sein, die Übertragungseigenschaften der Lichtleitfaser am betreffenden Ort derart zu verändern oder zu stören, dass zumindest ein Teil des in die Lichtleitfaser eingekoppelten Lichtes an die- sem Ort zurückgestreut wird.The substance exiting into the environment must be suitable for changing or disrupting the transmission properties of the optical fiber at the location in question such that at least some of the light coupled into the optical fiber is scattered back at this location.

Durch diese Maßnahme wird das räumliche Auflösungsvermögen des bekannten Verfahrens erhöht, da mit einer LaufZeitmessung des zurückgestreuten Lichtes Ortsauflösungen im Bereich von wenigen Zentimetern erzielbar sind.This measure increases the spatial resolution of the known method, since with a runtime measurement of the backscattered light spatial resolutions in the range of a few centimeters can be achieved.

Mit anderen Worten: Die qualitative Nachweisempfindlichkeit des Sensors wird durch die hohe Ortsauflösung der faseroptische LaufZeitmessung unterstützt, so dass bei Auftreten beider Phänomene einerseits eine höhere Redundanz und andererseits eine deutlich verbesserte Ortsauflösung vorliegt.In other words: The qualitative detection sensitivity of the sensor is supported by the high spatial resolution of the fiber-optic transit time measurement, so that when both phenomena occur, there is on the one hand a higher redundancy and on the other hand a significantly improved spatial resolution.

In einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist dieIn an advantageous embodiment of the invention

Lichtleitfaser im Inneren der Sammelleitung verlegt. Dadurch ist sichergestellt, dass nur Stoffe, die zum Nachweis mit dem LEOS-System vorgesehen sind, auf die Lichtleitfaser einwirken könne, so dass die Redundanz beider Messmethoden erhöht ist.Optical fiber laid inside the manifold. This ensures that only substances intended for detection with the LEOS system can act on the optical fiber, so that the redundancy of both measurement methods is increased.

Vorzugsweise ist die Lichtleitfaser an eine optische Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung zur Messung der Temperaturverteilung entlang der Lichtleitfaser auf der Grundlage des Raman- Effektes angeschlossen.The optical fiber is preferably connected to an optical transmitting and receiving device for measuring the temperature distribution along the optical fiber on the basis of the Raman effect.

Durch diese Maßnahme wird zusätzlich zu der bekannten Nachweismethode eine Änderung der Temperaturverteilung entlang der Sammelleitung mit hoher örtlicher Auflösung detektiert. Dabei wird ausgenutzt, dass der Austritt eines Stoffes in die Umge- bung an dieser Stelle häufig auch zu einer Temperaturänderung, beispielsweise durch exotherme oder endotherme chemische Reaktionen oder durch thermodynamisehe Prozesse, beispielsweise Abkühlung beim Ausströmen des Stoffes aus der Anlage oder durch Verdunstung, führt.In addition to the known detection method, this measure detects a change in the temperature distribution along the collecting line with high local resolution. This takes advantage of the fact that the exit of a substance into the environment often also leads to a change in temperature at this point, for example through exothermic or endothermic chemical reactions or through thermodynamic processes, for example cooling when the substance flows out of the plant or through evaporation.

In einer besonders bevorzugten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung befindet sich im Inneren der Sammelleitung ein gasförmiger oder flüssiger Reaktant, der mit dem in die Sammelleitung eindrin- genden Stoff exotherm oder endotherm reagiert . Durch dieseIn a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a gaseous or liquid reactant is located in the interior of the collecting line, which reactant with the gas entering the collecting line reacting material exothermic or endothermic. Through this

Maßnahme kann erreicht werden, dass die Lichtleitfaser in der gleichen Weise selektiv empfindlich auf den Stoff reagiert wie der Sensor.Measure can be achieved that the optical fiber reacts selectively sensitive to the substance in the same way as the sensor.

In einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausgestaltung bewirkt der Stoff eine Veränderung der physikalischen Eigenschaften des Mantels der Lichtleitfaser. Dies ermöglicht den Nachweis von Stoffen, die keine Temperaturänderung in der Umgebung erzeugen, sondern lediglich den Fasermantel durch chemische Reaktion angreifen und auf diese Weise den Anteil des zurückgestreuten Lichtes beeinflussen.In a further preferred embodiment, the material causes a change in the physical properties of the jacket of the optical fiber. This enables the detection of substances that do not produce a change in temperature in the environment, but only attack the fiber cladding by chemical reaction and in this way influence the proportion of the backscattered light.

Zur weiteren Erläuterung der Erfindung wird auf das Ausfüh- rungsbeispiel der Zeichnung verwiesen. Es zeigen:To further explain the invention, reference is made to the exemplary embodiment of the drawing. Show it:

Figur 1 eine Einrichtung gemäß der Erfindung in einer schematischen Prinzipdarstellung,FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention in a schematic basic illustration,

Figur 2 einen Schnitt durch eine Sammelleitung mit einer in dieser verlegten Lichtleitfaser.Figure 2 shows a section through a manifold with an optical fiber laid in this.

Gemäß dem Ausführungsbeispiel der Figuren 1 und 2 ist entlang eines Anlagenteils, im Ausführungsbeispiel ein Rohr 2, eine Sammelleitung 4 verlegt, die mit einer Mantelwand versehen ist, die für den im Rohr 2 transportierten Stoff A durchlässig ist. Die Sammelleitung 4 ist an eine Pumpe 6 angeschlossen, die ein fluides Medium, beispielsweise eine Flüssigkeit, ein neutrales Gas oder einen Reaktanten R diskontinuierlich durch die Sammelleitung 4 befördert. An die Sammelleitung 4 ist in einem vorgegebenen Abstand zur Pumpe 6 ein Sensor 8 angeschlossen, mit dem es möglich ist, einen in die Sammelleitung 4 eingedrungenen Stoff A auf chemischem oder physikali- schem Weg nachzuweisen.According to the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, a manifold 4 is laid along a system part, in the exemplary embodiment a tube 2, which is provided with a jacket wall which is permeable to the substance A transported in the tube 2. The manifold 4 is connected to a pump 6, which discontinuously conveys a fluid medium, for example a liquid, a neutral gas or a reactant R, through the manifold 4. A sensor 8 is connected to the collecting line 4 at a predetermined distance from the pump 6, with which it is possible to detect a substance A which has penetrated into the collecting line 4 on a chemical or physical basis. to demonstrate the path.

In der Sammelleitung 4 ist eine Lichtleitfaser 20 verlegt, deren Übertragungseigenschaften entweder durch den Stoff A oder durch die vom austretenden Stoff A in der Umgebung der Lichtleitfaser 20 erzeugte Wärmetönung q (Freisetzung oder Entzug von Wärme q) , beispielsweise eine exotherme oder endotherme chemische Reaktion mit einem eigens für diesen Zweck in die Sammelleitung 4 eingespeisten Reaktanten R, beispielsweise Wasserstoff, lokal verändert wird.In the manifold 4, an optical fiber 20 is laid, the transmission properties of which either through the substance A or through the heat tone q (release or removal of heat q) generated by the emerging substance A in the vicinity of the optical fiber 20, for example an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction a reactant R, for example hydrogen, which is fed into the collecting line 4 specifically for this purpose, is locally changed.

Alternativ hierzu kann die Lichtleitfaser 20 außerhalb der Sammelleitung 4, zumindest aber in deren näherer Umgebung angeordnet sein, wie dies in Figur 1 gestrichelt veranschaulicht ist.As an alternative to this, the optical fiber 20 can be arranged outside the collecting line 4, or at least in the vicinity thereof, as is illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 1.

Die Lichtleitfaser 20 ist an eine gepulste Lichtquelle 22, vorzugsweise ein Halbleiterlaser, angeschlossen, der in vorgegebenen Zeitabständen Lichtimpulse P mit einer Impulsdauer im Bereich von wenigen ns erzeugt. Die Lichtimpulse werden über einen Strahlteiler 24 in die Lichtleitfaser 20 eingekoppelt. Das in der Lichtleitfaser 20 zurückgestreute Licht S (Streulicht) wird mit Hilfe des Strahlteilers 24 einer Empfangseinrichtung 26 zugeführt, mit der die Intensität des zurückge- streuten Lichtes S integral oder wellenlängenselektiv in Abhängigkeit von der Laufzeit gemessen werden kann. Die Laufzeit des Streulichts S ist ein Maß für den Streuort x, so dass aufgrund des zeitlichen Intensitätsverlaufs des Streulichts S auf örtliche Inhomogenitäten der Übertragungseigenschaften der Lichtleitfaser 20 geschlossen werden kann.The optical fiber 20 is connected to a pulsed light source 22, preferably a semiconductor laser, which generates light pulses P with a pulse duration in the range of a few ns at predetermined time intervals. The light pulses are coupled into the optical fiber 20 via a beam splitter 24. The light S (scattered light) backscattered in the optical fiber 20 is fed with the aid of the beam splitter 24 to a receiving device 26, with which the intensity of the backscattered light S can be measured integrally or wavelength-selectively depending on the transit time. The propagation time of the scattered light S is a measure of the scattering location x, so that local inhomogeneities in the transmission properties of the optical fiber 20 can be inferred from the temporal intensity profile of the scattered light S.

Das Streulicht S kann sowohl durch Rayleigh-Streuung (Streulicht S und Sendelicht P haben die gleiche Frequenz) als auch durch Raman-Streuung (Streulicht S und Sendelicht P haben unterschiedliche Frequenz) entstehen.The scattered light S can be caused by Rayleigh scattering (scattered light S and transmitted light P have the same frequency) as well Raman scattering (scattered light S and transmitted light P have different frequencies).

Ersteres ist der Fall, wenn der in die Sammelleitung 4 ein- dringende Stoff A beispielsweise den den Kern 20a der Lichtleitfaser 20 umgebenden Mantel 20b durch chemische Reaktion lokal beschädigt, und sich die an dieser Stelle veränderten Übertragungseigenschaften der Lichtleitfaser 20 durch einen erhöhten Streuanteil bemerkbar machen. Diese Beschädigung oder Veränderung des Mantels 20b kann durch unmittelbare Einwirkung des Stoffes A auf den Mantel 20b oder durch eine mittelbare Einwirkung auf den Mantel 20b mit Hilfe eines in der Sammelleitung befindlichen gasförmigen oder flüssigen Reaktanten R erfolgen.The former is the case when the substance A penetrating into the collecting line 4 locally damages the jacket 20b surrounding the core 20a of the optical fiber 20 by chemical reaction, and the changed transmission properties of the optical fiber 20 become noticeable by an increased scattering component , This damage or change to the jacket 20b can take place through direct action of the substance A on the jacket 20b or through an indirect action on the jacket 20b with the aid of a gaseous or liquid reactant R located in the collecting line.

Auf der Grundlage des Raman-Effektes, d.h. des Nachweises von Streulicht, dessen Frequenzen von der Frequenz des Sendelichtes P abweichen, ist es möglich, die Temperaturverteilung entlang der Lichtleitfaser 20 bzw. der Sammelleitung 4 mit einer hohen Ortsauflösung zu bestimmen. Derartige Messeinrichtungen und Messverfahren sind beispielsweise aus den US-Patentschriften 5,618,108 und 5, 825,804 bekannt. Diese Temperaturverteilung kann ein weiteres indirektes oder direktes Indiz für das Vorhandensein einer Leckage sein, d.h. das Austreten des Stoffes A erzeugt unmittelbar in der Umgebung eine Temperaturänderung aufgrund thermodynamischer Prozesse oder aufgrund einer exothermen oder endothermen chemischen Reaktion mit Hilfe des in der Sammelleitung anwesenden Reaktanten R. BezugszeichenlisteOn the basis of the Raman effect, ie the detection of scattered light whose frequencies deviate from the frequency of the transmitted light P, it is possible to determine the temperature distribution along the optical fiber 20 or the collecting line 4 with a high spatial resolution. Such measuring devices and measuring methods are known, for example, from US Pat. Nos. 5,618,108 and 5, 825,804. This temperature distribution can be a further indirect or direct indication of the presence of a leak, that is to say the escape of the substance A immediately produces a temperature change in the environment due to thermodynamic processes or due to an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction with the aid of the reactant R present in the collecting line. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2 Rohr 4 Sammelleitung2 pipe 4 manifold

6 Pumpe6 pump

8 Sensor8 sensor

20 Lichtleitfaser 20a Kern20 optical fiber 20a core

20b Mantel20b coat

22 (gepulste) Lichtquelle22 (pulsed) light source

24 Strahlteiler24 beam splitters

26 Empfangseinrichtung26 receiving device

A StoffA fabric

R Reaktanten q WärmetönungR reactants q heat

P Lichtimpulse / Sendelicht S Streulicht x Streuort P light pulses / emitted light S scattered light x scattered location

Claims

Ansprüche 1. Einrichtung zur Erkennung und Ortung eines in die Umgebung austretenden Stoffes (A) , insbesondere zur Leckageerkennung und Leckageortung in einer Anlage, mit einer Sammelleitung (4) , die für den Stoff (A) permeabel ist, und die an eine Pumpe (6) sowie an einen Sensor (8) für den Stoff (A) ange- schlössen ist, und mit einer in der Umgebung der Sammelleitung (4) verlegten Lichtleitfaser (20) , deren Übertragungseigenschaften vom Stoff (A) beeinflusst werden, und die an eine optische Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung (22,24,26) zur Messung der Laufzeit des zurückgestreuten Lichtes (S) optisch gekop- pelt ist.Claims 1. Device for the detection and location of a substance (A) escaping into the environment, in particular for leak detection and location in a system, with a manifold (4) which is permeable to the substance (A) and which is connected to a pump ( 6) and to a sensor (8) for the substance (A), and with an optical fiber (20) laid in the vicinity of the collecting line (4), the transmission properties of which are influenced by the substance (A), and the an optical transmitting and receiving device (22, 24, 26) for measuring the transit time of the backscattered light (S) is optically coupled. 2. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der die Lichtleitfaser (20) im Inneren der Sammelleitung (4) verlegt ist.2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber (20) is laid inside the manifold (4). 3. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei der die optische3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the optical Sende- und Empfangseinrichtung (22,24,26) zur Messung der Temperaturverteilung entlang der Lichtleitfaser (20) auf der Grundlage des Raman-Effektes vorgesehen ist.Transmitting and receiving device (22, 24, 26) for measuring the temperature distribution along the optical fiber (20) is provided on the basis of the Raman effect. 4. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 3, mit einem im Inneren der Sammelleitung (4) befindlichen gasförmigen oder flüssigen Reaktanten (R) , der mit dem in die Sammelleitung (4) eindringenden Stoff (A) exotherm oder endotherm reagiert.4. Device according to claim 3, with an inside the manifold (4) located gaseous or liquid reactants (R) which reacts exothermic or endothermic with the substance (A) penetrating into the manifold (4). 5. Einrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei der der Stoff (A) eine unmittelbare oder mittelbare Veränderung der physikalischen Eigenschaften des Mantels (20b) der Lichtleitfaser (20) bewirkt . 5. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the substance (A) causes a direct or indirect change in the physical properties of the jacket (20b) of the optical fiber (20). 6. Verfahren zur Erkennung und Ortung eines in die Umgebung austretenden Stoffes (A) , insbesondere zur Leckageerkennung und Leckageortung in einer Anlage, mit einer Sammelleitung (4) , die für den Stoff (A) permeabel ist, bei dem der in die Sammelleitung (4) eingedrungene Stoff (A) mit einer Pumpe (6) zu einem an die Sammelleitung (4) angeschlossenen Sensor (8) für den Stoff (A) transportiert wird, und bei dem in eine in der Umgebung der Sammelleitung (4) verlegte Lichtleitfaser (20) mittels einer optischen Sende- und Empfangseinrich- tung (22,24,26) Licht eingekoppelt und die Laufzeit des zurückgestreuten Lichtes (S) gemessen werden. 6. A method for the detection and location of a substance (A) escaping into the environment, in particular for leak detection and location in a system, with a collecting line (4) which is permeable to the substance (A), in which the into the collecting line ( 4) penetrated substance (A) is transported by a pump (6) to a sensor (8) for the substance (A) connected to the collecting line (4), and in which an optical fiber laid in the vicinity of the collecting line (4) (20), light is coupled in by means of an optical transmitting and receiving device (22, 24, 26) and the transit time of the backscattered light (S) is measured.
PCT/EP2002/003492 2001-04-03 2002-03-28 Device and method for identifying and locating a substance that is leaking into the environment Ceased WO2002082036A1 (en)

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