Interband cascade laser based quartz-enhanced photoacoustic sensor for multiple hydrocarbons detection

Hydrocarbon detection in the gas phase can be a powerful tool to guide downstream operations for the oil & gas industry. This application requires highly sensitive, selective and robust spectroscopic techniques. In this work, a quartz-enhanced photoacoustic sensor system designed to detect methane and ethane concentration levels in the part-per billion concentration range by employing a single interband cascade laser emitting at 3345 nm is reported. Measurements at both low and high pressure were carried out and mixtures simulating typical downhole compositions were analyzed.