Fiberoptic Applications in Pipes and Pipelines

The advent of fiberoptic technologies has provided the communication and instrumentation worlds with a new tool. Fiberoptics offer high noise immunity, large bandwidth, and interesting sensor properties. The uses of fibers span from the telecommunications area, to the futuristic medical and ``Star Wars'' applications, to monitoring heat tracing on pipelines. A number of interesting and potentially useful applications of fiberoptics have been made to the area of pipes and pipelines. A summary of the basics of fiberoptics needed to understand applications in pipes and pipelines is provided. Communications, sensors, and unique applications are examined. Available literature related to the specific applications where fiberoptics are used in pipes and pipelines is referenced. Each example provides a new application of what promises to be a major technology of the 21st century. The understanding of fiberoptics today gives tomorrow's engineer a glimpse at tomorrow's monitoring, metering, and communication systems. A broad overview of these applications and an extensive referencing for further investigation is provided to give the interested engineer a good source document to start the study of fiberoptics for pipeline applications.