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Detection of Hydrocarbon Oil in Seawater by Light Absorption Analysis

Authors:
Sangwoo Oh
Moonjin Lee

Keywords: Optical sensor, Hydrocarbon spill detection, Light absorption analysis, Blue laser, Photodiode

Abstract:
A new optical sensing method is proposed to detect hydrocarbon oil in the sea. As a sensing methodology, a light absorption analysis is used with a laser source and two different types of photodiode sensors. To obtain information about the presence of oil on water and the thickness of oil, the intensity of the penetrating light through the oil–water mixtures is measured. In the experiment, bunker C and lubricating oil are used, and three different lasers having different wavelengths are applied and compared for the selection of an optimal light source. By using a photodiode sensor, we can convert the intensity of the penetrating light through a liquid into an electrical signal. As a result, it is observed that the intensity of the light on the optical sensor decreases with an increase in the oil thickness. Through this relation, both the presence of oil and the thickness of oil can be determined. This result shows the applicability of a hydrocarbon detection sensor.

Pages: 103 to 106

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2013

Publication date: August 25, 2013

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-3514

ISBN: 978-1-61208-297-4

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Dates: from August 25, 2013 to August 31, 2013