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TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
The PetroSense® Portable Hydrocarbon Analyzer consists of a
microcomputer-based, portable, direct, in-situ reading instrument and a
hydrocarbon sensing probe (the AHP-100) that uses the FCI Environmental,
Inc. patented Fiber Optic Chemical Sensor (FOCS®) technology. The probe
is sensitive to hydrocarbons containing at least 6 carbons and is especially
sensitive to aromatic hydrocarbons. This sensitivity makes the PHA100Plus ideal for detecting a variety of petroleum hydrocarbon products
such as:
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Unleaded gasoline
Diesel
Jet fuels
Aromatic solvents
Crude oil
The PHA-100Plus provides the user with the unique ability to quantifiably
detect hydrocarbons in vapor, water, at the interface, and in soil.
The hydrocarbon sensing probe employs an optical fiber coated with a
chemical that has an affinity for hydrocarbons. The sensor operates on the
principle that the index of refraction of the optical fiber chemical coating
changes in direct proportion to the concentration of hydrocarbons in air or
water. As hydrocarbons partition into the chemical coating, the change in
the effective index of refraction can be determined by measuring the amount
of light transmitted through the optical fiber. The response depends on the
total number and type of hydrocarbons present.
A schematic of FOCS® operating principle is shown below.
Light Eminating from Fiber
No Hydrocarbons Present
Reference
Detector
LED
Optical
Fiber
992041, Release 1.3
February 4, 2005
Coating
More Light Eminating from Fiber
in the Presence of Hydrocarbons
Reference
Detector
Sense
Detector
LED
Optical
Fiber
Coating
Sense
Detector
1