Three-dimensional dense distributed temperature sensing for measuring layered thermohaline systems

Three-dimensional dense distributed temperature sensing for measuring layered thermohaline systems

Hilgersom, K.P. (TU Delft Water Resources)
van de Giesen, N.C. (TU Delft Water Resources)
de Louw, PGB (Deltares)
Zijlema, Marcel (TU Delft Environmental Fluid Mechanics)

2016-08-27

Distributed temperature sensing has proven a useful technique for geoscientists to obtain spatially distributed temperature data. When studies require high-resolution temperature data in three spatial dimensions, current practices to enhance the spatial resolution do not suffice. For example, double-diffusive phenomena induce sharp and small-scale temperature patterns in water bodies subject to thermohaline gradients. This article presents a novel approach for a 3-D dense distributed temperature sensing setup, the design of which can be customized to the required spatial resolution in each dimension. Temperature is measured along fiber-optic cables that can be arranged as needed. In this case, we built a dense cage of very thin (1.6 mm) cables to ensure that interference with flow patterns was minimal. Application in water bodies with double-diffusion-induced sharp temperature gradients shows that the setup is well able to capture small-scale temperature patterns and even detects small unsuspected seeps and potential salt-fingers. However, the potential effect of the setup on the flow patterns requires further study.

fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing
boil seepage
enhanced-resolution DTS
thermohaline stratification
double-diffusion
Raman scattering

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:20ed880a-2dc4-4bff-b3c0-4bbbf2961366

https://doi.org/10.1002/2016WR019119

2017-03-31

0043-1397

Water Resources Research, 52 (8), 6656–6670

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2016 K.P. Hilgersom, N.C. van de Giesen, PGB de Louw, Marcel Zijlema