Distributed Fiber Optics Techniques for Gas Network Monitoring

Robust and real-time condition monitoring of the underground gas distribution network (ca. 3000 km) in Singapore is critical for interruption-free power generation. For this purpose, in this paper, we investigate optical techniques, based on distributed fiber optic sensors, recently proposed in the context of the gas pipeline monitoring. A detailed review of these techniques and their applications in terms of sensing range, spatial, temperature and strain resolutions has been generalized. During gas leaks, Joule-Thomson (JT) cooling effect takes places. The temperature drops due to Joule-Thomson cooling effect for argon (has similar JT effect to methane) at various operating conditions are analyzed. It could be detected by the distributed temperature sensing (DTS), for monitoring leaks in the underground gas network.