High temperature optical fibre coatings for next generation gas emission monitoring 

Real-time gas emission monitoring with high sensitivity (ppm) is a prerequisite to the step-changes necessary in UK Foundation Industries (FIs) processes for reductions in environmental emissions and energy consumption to achieve net zero. Current emissions monitoring techniques impose limitations to efficiency, detection limits and detectable gaseous species.

This research will develop a new gas-Raman instrument capable of near-to-real-time, reliable detection of a wide range of gaseous species of key interest to FIs (H2O, CO, CO2,

NOx, SO2, HCl, HF, NH3, VOCs). This device can be implemented across all FIs and other sectors requiring real-time emission monitoring. By enabling real-time monitoring, the collected data can be fed back into process control, to continuously optimise process parameters, optimising fuel use and minimising CO2 emissions2–4.

Efficient environmental sensors could save ≈0.26 million TJ/year of energy across all energy-consuming sectors which is equivalent to ≈15 Mt of CO2 globally.

This project aims to increase the readiness of the developing gas-Raman technology by examining and ranking a number of optical fibre coatings based on their high temperature performance, ease of handling and application, chemical stability and flow behaviour. Their performance will be examined onsite in representative FIs (glass, cement, ceramics). Candidate coatings will then be recommended to partners for fibre drawing and subsequent characterisation of the drawn fibres. This project will also facilitate industrial engagements across different consortia including TransFIRe, TFI Network+, KTN as well as dissemination via the project partners, conferences and peer-reviewed publications.

Ronak Janani

Sheffield Hallam University