Fiber-optic level indicator for liquid hydrogen

Sergei Khotiaintsev; Volodymyr Svyryd

doi:10.1117/12.786813

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16 May 2008 Fiber-optic level indicator for liquid hydrogen

Sergei Khotiaintsev, Volodymyr Svyryd

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Proceedings Volume 7004, 19th International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors; 70045T (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.786813
Event: 19th International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors, 2008, Perth, WA, Australia

Abstract

This paper describes a fiber-optic level indicator designed to detect the liquid interface in the liquid-hydrogen storage tanks. The considerations which led to the choice of the particular fiber-optic sensor and the construction of the measurement system are discussed. A fiber-optic refractometric transducer with the detection element of ellipsoidal form was developed which features a step-like response to the external refractive index in the narrow interval of this quantity between unity (gas) and 1.0974 (liquid hydrogen). The fiber-optic inputs to the storage system secure the reduced heat ingress in the liquid-hydrogen in comparison to sensors with electrical wires. The fiber-optic transducer features small dimensions, is strong mechanically, and supports multiple cycles of cooling to 20 K and heating to the ambient temperature. The device successfully indicated the level of liquid interface in a liquid-hydrogen storage tank under the maximum excess pressure in the tank of 4 MPa. The paper discusses a number of prospective applications of the developed fiber-optic transducer in the liquid-hydrogen storage systems.

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Sergei Khotiaintsev and Volodymyr Svyryd "Fiber-optic level indicator for liquid hydrogen", Proc. SPIE 7004, 19th International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors, 70045T (16 May 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.786813

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