GEO- AND HYDROLOGICAL APPLICATIONS

GEO- AND HYDROLOGICAL APPLICATIONS

Fiber Optic Sensing for Geophysical Problems

Geo- and Hydrological Applications
Geo- and Hydrological Applications
Geo- and Hydrological Applications

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.

SMARTVISION

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
Infographic

GEO- AND HYDROLOGICAL MONITORING DOCUMENTATION

Distributed Fiber Optical Sensing

Broschure

Download additional Geo- and Hydrological Monitoring information: 

AP SENSING SUCCESS STORIES

We have hundreds of satisfied customers worldwide!

Quotes

GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM AP SENSING

The newest technology developments, events, and success stories

Do you have a question about our fiber optic sensing solutions? Please call or mail our multilingual, experienced team:

+49 (0)7031 309 6610
info@apsensing.com
Sign up for the newsletter
Need a password for the Customer Portal?
Herrenberger Str. 130, 71034 Böblingen, Germany

STAY INFORMED  WITH THE LATEST NEWSLETTER FROM AP SENSING

sign up today to learn about newest product releases, interesting projects and upcoming events

Applications Navigation