Design and Implementation of Distributed Ultra-High Temperature Sensing System With a Single Crystal Fiber

Modern high-temperature processes, such as fossil energy production, nuclear reactors, and chemical reactors lack robust, distributed sensing systems to map temperatures in these high-value harsh-environment systems. Regular silica-fiber-based distributed temperature sensing systems usually only operate at temperatures below about 800 °C. In this paper, we present the design, implementation, and testing of a distributed ultra-high temperature sensing system using Raman scattering intensity, which operates from room temperature to above 1400 °C. Consideration is given to the impacts of thermal radiation, fluorescence, and the multimode nature of unclad single-crystal fiber to optimize the system. Results from picosecond and sub-nanosecond lasers were compared. Measurements were taken with a ~2 m sapphire optical fiber, which represents the longest commercially available length. A spatial resolution of 12.4 cm and position standard deviation of 0.28 mm were achieved up to the maximum testing temperature of 1400 °C, which is a new record for distributed temperature sensing systems.