Light instead of electricity to measure temperature

Fujitsu uses light, instead of electricity, to measure temperature in thermal power stations. Fujitsu Limited and Tohoku Electric Power have co-developed an anomaly detection system for thermal power station facilities based on optical fiber multipoint temperature sensing technology. This method measures real-time temperature at over 10,000 locations with one optical fiber. The two companies conducted a field trial at Tohoku Electric's Akita thermal power station. Fujitsu plans to develop this tech further to work not only with power stations but also other facilities, such as chemical plants. The discrete temperature sensor used for the same purpose require a communication cable for each sensor, where as the temperature measurement through an optical fiber measures temperature along a several-kilometer long optic fiber at successive 10 centimeter intervals. Since this system uses light, instead of electricity, to measure temperature, it is not restricted by explosion prevention measures. Fujitsu says it is also possible to lower deployment costs compared with using discrete temperature sensors. Fujitsu and Tohoku Electric Power used this optical fiber multipoint temperature sensing technology to continuously monitor temperature changes in the fuel pipes, steam pipes, and boiler flues at Tohoku Electric Power's Akita power station from June 2014 to March 2015. Based...