Fiber optics make sense

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  • elbow

    elbow

    A Fox-Tek sensor on an elbow in a refinery pipe in Alberta, Canada. The sensor employs optical techniques to measure the rate of internal corrosion in the pipe. The liquids inside are at 260 degrees Celsius. Elbow joints are notorious for corroding. A leak or explosion, though, could lead to injuries or environmental problems.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • wall thinning

    wall thinning

    Is it an anti-smoking patch for a pipe? Nope, it a sensor for measures stress and strain. The sensors sell for $1,000 a pop and a station for collecting data runs about $45,000. But Fox-Tek CEO Gary Jolly asserts that's a bargain compared to cleanup costs of a leak or explosion. Saudi Aramco has tested out the company's sensors and is planning on announcing soon on how it plans to expand its use of the sensors, Jolly said.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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Fox-Tek has developed optical sensors that detect minute changes in the strain on a structure and if a pipeline is about to leak.

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elbow

A Fox-Tek sensor on an elbow in a refinery pipe in Alberta, Canada. The sensor employs optical techniques to measure the rate of internal corrosion in the pipe. The liquids inside are at 260 degrees Celsius. Elbow joints are notorious for corroding. A leak or explosion, though, could lead to injuries or environmental problems.

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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