Title: Acoustic emission monitoring using a polarimetric Single Mode optical fibre sensor

Authors: Martine Wevers, Sabine Van Huffel, Steve Vandenplas, Jean-Michel Papy

Addresses: Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering-MTM, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. ' Department of Electrical Engineering-ESAT, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. ' FMTC, Celestijnenlaan 300D, 3001 Leuven, Belgium. ' FMTC, Celestijnenlaan 300D, 3001 Leuven, Belgium

Abstract: Since the hydrocarbon reservoirs in Europe are rapidly depleting, there is a need for new |intelligent| technology for the efficient commercial exploitation of the remaining hydrocarbon reservoirs: an intelligent and high-temperature, corrosion and fatigue resistant thermoplastic composite coiled tubing. This paper describes the polarimetric Fibre Optic Sensor and accompanying advanced transient signal detection techniques for an early detection of damage in this new type of intelligent composite tubing built for drilling and exploiting hydrocarbon reservoirs. The capabilities of the new optical system for detecting growing damage are demonstrated by carrying out bending tests on short test models of the tube.

Keywords: optical fibre sensors; acoustic emission monitoring; polarimetric setup; power data transmission coils; hydrocarbon reservoirs; thermoplastic composites; intelligent composite tubing; coiled tubing; transient signal detection; damage detection; bending tests.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMSI.2007.013869

International Journal of Materials and Structural Integrity, 2007 Vol.1 No.1/2/3, pp.148 - 160

Published online: 31 May 2007 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article