Fiber Laser Methane Detection Device based on TDLAS and Its Application

Abstract

Methane is a flammable and explosive gas, which is the main component of natural gas, mashgas, and biogas. Using the technology of tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) to detect methane, which does not require oxygen, no poisoning, no calibrating, has gas selectivity, strong environmental adaptability, and is stable and reliable. The laser transmission with the optical fiber has the characteristics of low optical loss, long distance and flexible networking. This manuscript demonstrated an optical fiber laser methane detection device based on TDLAS and its application. The laser was transmitted to the methane detection position by optical fiber, and the laser interacted with methane in the optical fiber gas box. The optical fiber collimator coupled the surplus laser into the optical fiber and sent it back to the monitoring device.The photoelectric detector converted the surplus laser to an electrical signal. The monitoring device operation was based on the principle of TDLAS and analyzed the returned laser strength to obtain the concentration of methane. This manuscript described the principle, composition and monitoring spot network of the fiber laser methane monitoring device and shown a practical application.