ROBUST AND POWERFUL SOLUTIONS FOR LARGE AND REMOTE STRUCTURES
Reliable distributed fiber optic solutions for subsurface visualization
Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) and Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology are revolutionizing our methodologies and understanding of environmental dynamics. Scientists often need more information about the flow of water, glacier melting or the monitoring of earthquakes. AP Sensing addresses the needs for structural condition monitoring of dams, dykes and levees, and also provides a monitoring solution for leakages and water movements. Our solutions are ideal for monitoring long ranges and applicable to many different structures, even hard-to-access underground installations and in harsh environmental conditions such as glaciers or deserts.
DISTRIBUTED TEMPERATURE SENSING (DTS)
AP Sensing’s DTS provides a full, continuous temperature profile with temperature changes over time, detecting large temperature gradients and slow leaks. It utilizes a passive fiber optic cable and receives thousands of data points with one single measurement along the entire length. The observation of time-varying water temperatures enables insightful information on the dynamics of rivers and streams. It also helps in the decision-making process when improving resources for irrigation systems and power plants.
With this real-time temperature profile, the condition of dams and dykes is reliably measured. Seepage flow causes seasonal temperature variations inside the dams; detecting these changes early on prevents internal erosion in these structures which could have disastrous consequences if material is carried with it, such as damages to concrete structures or erosion of embankment and foundation. Even small changes in seepage flow are detected with AP Sensing’s DTS solution, often where conventional point sensing is not applicable or cost-effective.
DISTRIBUTED ACOUSTIC SENSING (DAS)
AP Sensing’s DAS technology delivers a precise display of the acoustic field with no cross-talk over several kilometers. Ambient noise is continuously monitored, and acoustic anomalies are identified in real-time. Therefore, changes in the geotechnical structures are detected early, which increases the health and safety of these assets and the surrounding environment. The spatial resolution is precise up to the last meter. With this information, the operator has a 24/7 real-time overview about the condition of geotechnical structures such as dams, pipelines, levees and geothermal reservoirs.
The deployment of a fiber cable in a shallow subsurface of any structure enables the ambient noise interferometry. With DAS, velocity variations of seismic waves caused by liquid spilling of pipelines or seepage variations in dams are located, which effects the fluid saturation of soil. Additionally, with this technology earthquakes can be detected, and wave propagation can be analyzed over long distances.
SMARTVISIONTM
AP Sensing's SmartVision management suite shows the condition of your asset at a glance, controlled by an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI). It seamlessly integrates many DAS, DTS and other sensors into a single platform. Different geological structures are mapped and color-coded to show the according temperatures, as well as instantaneous changes in acoustic energy. Alarms are shown on at screen in case of an emergency situation and the user is directly informed of the location of the critical incident. Temperature graphics and hotspot tables are readily available. Sections of the cable route can be individually defined for flexible alarm levels and types.
AP Sensing carries out stringent tests for shock, vibration, EMC and the environment. We help you comply to all relevant security standards.
As we develop our products from the research and manufacturing stages, to the project commissioning and maintenance, AP Sensing offers a completely integrated, end-to-end solution. Our team works together with you to select the right combination of technologies to fit your requirements. We also provide onsite services, hotline support, maintenance and product training.
OUR KEY FEATURES FOR GEO- and HYDROLOGICAL MONITORING
Why you should choose AP Sensing!
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Accurate and reliable Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) and Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) systems | …constant real time temperature and acoustic data. |
| Industry leading technology, quality and product lifetime | …reduced service and support costs. |
| Superior coherent optical time domain reflectometry (COTDR) for DAS | ...longest range, high sensitivity and high linearity for DAS. |
| Ultra-low power consumption | ...system can run from battery or solar panel. |
| Outdoor and portable solutions | …meets your monitoring needs; easy to carry to your measurement location. |
| Low-power laser and single receiver design | ...inherently safe operation, long product life, widest operating temperature range, low power consumption, stable measurement performance without drifts. |
| SmartVision™ asset visualization, alarm management and data storage and processing | …real-time status with intuitive GUI, valuable data for analysis and reporting. |
Application Fields
Geothermics
Typical geothermic applications include:
- Calculating thermal parameters in conjunction with different geological layers
- Identification and monitoring of aquifers and ground water streams
- Monitoring of cement hardening by measurement of hydration heat
- Inspection of appropriate annulus backfilling
- Geothermal power plants
- Continuous monitoring of ground-coupled heat pump systems
- Shallow thermohaline environments
- Temperature characterization
- Well Field Optimization
Geological techniques including:
- Sub-surface flow
- Monitoring of underground storage facilities, e.g. caverns
- Leakage detection at excavation pits
- Soil moisture monitoring
- Fractured rock characterization and interconnectivity
- Permeability Enhancement
- Site characterization
Hydraulic and hydromechanical engineering applications:
- Seepage monitoring in dam infrastructures, dykes and levees
- Detection of internal erosion
- Estimation of thermal parameters
- Flow dynamics into boreholes
- Thermocline profile reproduction in lakes, reservoirs and rivers
- Integrity monitoring
Earthquake Monitoring:
- Detection of earthquakes
- Analysis of wave propagation over long distance ranges
- Monitoring of natural and induced seismicity at mining sites
Quotes
Digitization is the driver for quality, capacity and efficient railway operation for DB Netz AG. Fiber Optic Sensing is an outstanding technology that enables the improval of infrastructure capabilities at lightspeed compared to other solutions using existing cable infrastructure. AP Sensing is taking FOS-based railway monitoring to the next level with their true phase-based system and the extensive use of AI. We’re happy to work in collaboration with AP Sensing’s responsive and innovative team, helping us to get projects moving and getting FOS integrated in the daily railway operation.
AP Sensing's support team has been a fantastic resource for us over the years. They have helped us with system development and implementation planning, and they are always quick to respond to our technical queries with competent advice and helpful tips.
For me AP Sensing is the forerunner for distributed optical temperature sensing. You can see in their solutions a combination of experience and creativity -- an intuitive design that works just as you'd expect, yet they aren't afraid to think out of the box, or provide a customized solution. They carry on their HP/Agilent heritage and continue to develop and advance, while remaining true to their core values of quality and reliability.
When I think of AP Sensing the first thing I think of is reliability. We completely trust and rely on their performance specifications and I know that their technical support team is dedicated and passionate about solving any problems that might come up.
Knowing the technology and market, it is evident to me that AP Sensing is the forerunner in distributed optical sensing. Their solutions reflect a combination of experience and creativity. Experience comes from their HP/Agilent heritage, the leader in test and measurement equipment, with decades of experience in developing and manufacturing extremely reliable and high quality products. The creativity comes from their passion and commitment to solving real customer problems.
When you do business with AP Sensing you get the feeling that you are working together as partners, because they listen to you and understand the challenges of your day-to-day operations. Communication with AP Sensing is always professional and it's obvious that they have the experience and the technical know-how to answer our queries.
AP Sensing's DTS is simply the best fit. We apply it together with ConveySafe in our coal power plants to protect our conveyors. The systems are rugged and completely reliable, need very little power, and can be seamlessly integrated into customer SCADA environments. Best of all, you don't just buy a box from them and that's it -- their post-sales support is outstanding.
The SIL-2 (Safety Integrity Level) rating that AP Sensing has achieved on its DTS gives us the confidence that their solution is going to work as planned, day in and day out, in high-risk environments. Our LNG terminal operators sleep better at night knowing that our assets are protected and security standards are met.
My AP Sensing regional customer support is fantastic: competent, thorough and quick to get back to me. They have been a key player in our complex pipeline projects over the years, and they truly offer through-life product support, from installation and commissioning to training.
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Do you have a question about our fiber optic sensing solutions? Please call or mail our multilingual, experienced team:
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