PRODUCTION • PROCESSING • HANDLING
Fibre optic sensing solutions C
Stéphane Rohrbach discusses how to facilitate monitoring and maintenance in extreme environments
hoosing reliable, easy-to-maintain systems that simplify monitoring and reduce costly maintenance operations is a major challenge in hazardous off shore and onshore environments.
To cover long distances between oil & gas extraction points and control centres, precise sensing capabilities and fast data transfer are key. Innovative fi bre optic and miniature connectivity solutions help meet this challenge. Fibre optics are ideal for gathering real-time information, e.g. for monitoring drilling extraction for irregularities. Providing lightweight and sparkle- free interconnection is important in sensing, and being quick to deploy and easy to maintain also matters, because associated downtimes can lead to considerable loss of earnings when the sensing system is a critical part of the security loop associated with the main production. Fibre optic sensing is challenging because the physical properties of light into the fi bre are aff ected by strain, temperature or sound. Several technologies enable local measurement – using sensors at chosen points along the fi bre (e.g. fi bre bragg grating (FBG) technology for measuring localised pressure, strain, temperature and fl ow) – or distributed sensing – with sensing occurring all along the fi bre (e.g. Raleigh, Brillouin or Raman backscattering for continuously monitoring acoustics, temperature and strain in pipelines, oil drilling or local environments). T ese technologies
require top-of-the-range optical performances to work fl awlessly (with a good signal-to-noise ratio). Insertion loss must be minimal, and eturn loss is critical, as the returning light contains information about the measurement. Optical connectors are generally specifi ed in APC end faces for single mode, guaranteeing minimal return loss. Manufacturing a reliable APC termination requires premium polishing equipment
and skilled operators. Each termination must be certifi ed in terms of end-face geometry to guarantee good physical contact. Moreover, each APC terminus has to be keyed properly and the shell designed to meet strict termini design requirements. Fischer Connectors designs high-performance,
ultra-resistant fi bre optic cable assembly solutions. For rapid fi eld deployment, the Fischer FiberOptic Series off ers a ready-to-use solution, whose ruggedness and push-pull locking system ensure quick, safe connections. Its removable sleeve holder makes it easy to clean. Pre- terminated cable assemblies are available in single mode APC and other fi bre types, for perfect integration into sensing applications. T e rugged, sealed bodies (IP68 mated, IP67 unmated) ensure reliable mechanical protection, without compromising on optical performance – thanks to their shell design and butt joint termini. Available in 1, 2 and 4 fi bres, there are varied body styles to fulfi l any integration need. ●
F
The new single fi bre optic connector FO1 fulfi ls the growing market need for higher data transmission rates over long distances, while reducing space and guaranteeing performance by means of rugged miniature solutions
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The Fischer FiberOptic Series off ers robust optical performance and easy cleaning
Fibre Optics for faster data transfer
ibre optics also provide a secure, easy way to install
fast, reliable data links and carry copious data over long distances. They are widely used for data links between rigs and control rooms, and need to be rugged and resist salt mist and dust.
For more information ✔ at
www.engineerlive.com/iog
Stéphane Rohrbach is engineering director at Fischer Connectors.
www.fischerconnectors.com
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