Optical Fibre Sensing for Offshore Renewable Energy

Lead Research Organisation: Heriot-Watt University
Department Name: Sch of Engineering and Physical Science

Abstract

Distributed optical fibre sensing is a topic of great industrial relevance. Exploiting different forms backscatter from optical fibre to measure the local environment at any position in the fibre has enabled the development of perimeter sensing, cable monitoring, oil and gas pipeline/ well monitoring and smart structures. Fraunhofer CAP have had recent projects on combining distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) with distributed temperature sensing (DTS) to create a multifunctional sensor system. Working with EMEC, Fraunhofer CAP have been able to demonstrate these techniques in marine power cables to detect power cable strumming on a live dynamic umbilical for the first time. There is much to be done in the optimisation of the data acquisition and analysis. There is a need to find the limits of the DAS/DTS systems - can we turn installed power cables into distributed microphones? How accurately can we determine cable burial depth using DTS combined with DAS? We also want to consider other methods such as Brillouin scattering to measure strain and temperature. Modelling and experimental activity would be involved in this industrial research project. Active involvement in collaborative projects will be expected and we will aim to trial sensor systems on installed offshore cabling. There will also be the opportunity to explore other types of fibre sensors such as fibre Bragg gratings and long period gratings.

Planned Impact

Complementing our Pathways to Impact document, here we state the expected real-world impact, which is of course the leading priority for our industrial partners. Their confidence that the proposed CDT will deliver valuable scientific, engineering and commercial impact is emphasized by their overwhelming financial support (£4.38M from industry in the form of cash contributions, and further in-kind support of £5.56M).

Here we summarize what will be the impacts expected from the proposed CDT.

(1) Impact on People
(a) Students
The CDT will have its major impact on the students themselves, by providing them with new understanding, skills and abilities (technical, business, professional), and by enhancing their employability.
(b) The UK public
The engagement planned in the CDT will educate and inform the general public about the high quality science and engineering being pursued by researchers in the CDT, and will also contribute to raising the profile of this mode of doctoral training -- particularly important since the public have limited awareness of the mechanisms through which research scientists are trained.

(2) Impact on Knowledge
New scientific knowledge and engineering know-how will be generated by the CDT. Theses, conference / journal papers and patents will be published to disseminate this knowledge.

(3) Impact on UK industry and economy
UK companies will gain a competitive advantage by using know-how and new techniques generated by CDT researchers.
Companies will also gain from improved recruitment and retention of high quality staff.
Longer term economic impacts will be felt as increased turnover and profitability for companies, and perhaps other impacts such as the generation / segmentation of new markets, and companies receiving inward investment for new products.

(4) Impact on Society
Photonic imaging, sensing and related devices and analytical techniques underpin many of products and services that UK industry markets either to consumers or to other businesses. Reskilling of the workforce with an emphasis on promoting technical leadership is central to EPSRC's Productive Nation prosperity outcome, and our CDT will achieve exactly this through its development of future industrially engaged scientists, engineers and innovators. The impact that these individuals will have on society will be manifested through their contribution to the creation of new products and services that improve the quality of life in sectors like transport, dependable energy networks, security and communications.

Greater internationalisation of the cohort of CDT researchers is expected from some of the CDT activities (e.g. international summer schools), with the potential impact of greater collaboration in the future between the next generations of UK and international researchers.

Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
EP/S022821/1 01/10/2019 31/03/2028
2262683 Studentship EP/S022821/1 01/09/2019 30/08/2023 James Jackson