Optical frequency comb-based acetylene gas detection method for dissolved gas analysis in transformer oil

This paper addressed the critical need for reliable condition monitoring of power transformers by proposing a novel approach to dissolved gas detection in transformer oil. As transformers age, faults such as electrical, thermal, and mechanical failures produce dissolved gases in the oil, which can reveal underlying issues. Traditional optical fiber gas sensors have limitations due to their narrow wavelength range, which restricts the types of detectable gases. To overcome this, this paper explored the use of an Optical Frequency Comb (OFC), a tool known for its high spectral resolution and broad wavelength coverage. The study employed a pump light generated by an OFC, filtered through a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) for selective acetylene gas detection. Experimental results demonstrated that the OFC-based pump light can enable sensitive detection of acetylene at parts-per-million (ppm) levels, validating the proposed method's effectiveness. This work suggested significant advancements for transformer monitoring, with potential applications extending to environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and industrial process control.