Quartz-enhanced photoacoustic sensors for detection of multiple hydrocarbon and methane isotopes

Hydrocarbon detection in the gas phase can be a powerful tool to guide downstream operations for the oil and gas industry. This application requires highly sensitive, selective and robust spectroscopic techniques. In this work we present: i) a quartz-enhanced photoacoustic (QEPAS) sensor that can individually detect methane and ethane in the part per billion range and propane in the ppm range by employing a single interband cascade laser emitting at 3345 nm; ii) a QEPAS sensor detecting 12CH4 and 13CH4 isotopes at the part-per billion sensitivity level, by employing a quantum cascade laser emitting at 7730 nm.