Fibre optic sensor technology

Examples of fibre optic sensor technologies NORCE works with

Distributed Acoustical Sensing (DAS)

NORCE has developed it’s own Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) system. This unit is used as a research platform in various projects providing users access to raw data.

The technology is based upon the analysis of backscattered signals from laser pulses propagating in an optical fibre giving spatial resolved measurement along the entire fibre.

The technology is generic and can be used in a wide range of applications.

NORCE has demonstrated the technology in a wide range of areas, including monitoring of geological storage of CO2, oil and gas flow monitoring, road and rail, and industrial process monitoring.

In the SFI “Smart Ocean” we are exploring how existing sea cables can be used for different sensing purposes, such as the monitoring of ship traffic.

The hardware is under continuous development alongside the enhancement of signal processing methods and machine learning algorithms to better recognize and quantity different features influencing the optical fibre.

For instance, in the KSP project DIFPRO, DAS is being using to measure small changes in the composition of multiphase fluid flows.

Another example is the KSP Project S-TRANET, where DAS is being used to look for early indicators of hydrological risk such as rockslides.

Distributed Chemical Sensing (DCS)

NORCE has developed “ODIMS” a novel system for distributed water and humidity measurement. This has primarily been developed to enable targeted inspection of Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI).

We are currently working to expand this technology and sensing platform to a wider range of chemical parameters primarily targeting the energy, marine and process industries. Parameters of interest include salinity, pH and CO2 sensors, for ocean monitoring and carbon capture and storage among other sectors.

In the FME GigaCCS, NORCE is working to develop distributed chemical sensing technology for detecting potential leakages of CO2 from pipelines or leakage through the sea bottom that has escaped from geological CO2 storage reservoirs.

Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS)

NORCE has broad experience using Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) technology, both using Raman DTS and Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) arrays.

We have carried out a wide range of projects from geothermal energy to high temperature industrial process monitoring, pipeline leakage monitoring, and monitoring the operation of high voltage power cables.

NORCE is working in the EURAMET project INFOTherm, which aims to develop fiber optic thermometry and calibration methodologies, to facilitate wider spread adoption of the technology in industrial applications. NORCE has a range of DTS interrogation units with ranges of up to 40 km, and spatial resolutions down to just a few centimetres. . Contact us for more details.

Distributed Strain Monitoring (DSS)

NORCE has experience with Distributed Strain Sensing (DSS) which is useful for monitoring large scale infrastructure such as bridges, mountainsides and the seabed.

NORCE is part of the NFR Infrastructure project EPOS-NG, where DSS technology will be used in applications within natural hazards, such as rockslides and avalanches

Distributed snow and avalanche warning system

In the Research Council's ENERGIX programme, NORCE leads the radically innovative research project MESSENGER-SWE. Our aim is to improve forecast models for meltwater runoff. Hydropower companies use the models to optimize production. Here we use fibre optic technology to provide accurate measurements needed to improve the models.

The snow that has accumulated in the mountain areas represents an important energy storage in the national and international energy system.

This technology can also possibly be used for monitoring landslides.