A Multidimensional Integrated Monitoring System of Methane Leakage in the Well Site of Underground Gas Storage Based on High-Precision Hollow-Core Fiber Sensors

The safe and stable operation of underground gas storage facilities is pivotal for ensuring the safety of natural gas transmission and emergency peaking. Traditional monitoring methods, primarily reliant on fixed-point alarms and manual inspections, are plagued by limited accuracy, a multitude of influencing factors, and suboptimal stability. To address the risks posed by minor methane leakage and diffusion within these storage sites, it is vital to develop a swift and precise multidimensional monitoring system tailored for methane leakage detection. This research has conducted laboratory and field simulation tests on an optical fiber methane detection system, aiming to enhance methane leakage surveillance at gas storage sites. A robust multidimensional monitoring system for methane leakage was successfully established using multiple intrinsically safe, high-precision fiber sensors. Experimental data indicated that the fiber optic sensing system for methane leakage monitoring is highly effective, achieving a detection limit of up to 1.2 parts per million (ppm) methane equivalent. Moreover, the system exhibits remarkable linearity. In contrast to conventional manual leakage localization techniques, this integrated system supports continuous online monitoring across various points, allowing for prompt mitigation of leakage incidents. The system’s pronounced selectivity in gas monitoring not only curtails energy wastage and greenhouse gas emissions but also ensures methane leakage safety at gas storage sites.