Prototype System for the Detection of Volatile Hydrocarbons in Water

• Published in: Proceedings Vol. 2; no. 13; p. 734
• Main Authors: Alexey A. Vasiliev, Mikhail Yu. Yablokov, Andrey V. Sokolov
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 01-12-2018
• Subjects: gas sensor; methane; online monitoring; system prototype; volatile hydrocarbons; water solution
• ISSN: 2504-3900
• DOI: 10.3390/proceedings2130734

Detection of dissolved methane and volatile hydrocarbons in water is a problem met in
leakage localization during exploitation of underwater pipelines, oil and oil product spill over water
surface, geological exploration work for the localization of oil and gas fields under water, etc. This
problem can be solved by the application of detection system based on tubular selective membrane
permeable for volatile organics and impenetrable for liquid water. Carrier gas (air) flowing through
this tube is saturated with dissolved gas and then gas concentration is measured using
semiconductor or other gas sensor. The system prototype was tested under laboratory conditions
and demonstrated low limit of gas detection (~20 ppb by mass of dissolved methane in water) and
short response time (~10 s).