Distributed Temperature Gradient Sensing (DTGS)

Early Detection to Protect the Environment

In energy, water, and chemical transmission infrastructure, leaks often start silently—but if left undetected, they can cause serious environmental and operational harm. Soil contamination, groundwater pollution, fire hazards, or unexpected system shutdowns are just a few of the consequences of delayed intervention.

The FOTAS DTGS Product, developed by SAMM Teknoloji, combines temperature and acoustic monitoring, in a single distributed sensing device. By identifying risks at their earliest stages, DTGS minimizes both environmental damage and financial loss.

A desert canal scene with a leak detection sign and monitoring unit near water, representing FOTAS fiber-optic based leak detection system.

DISTRIBUTED TEMPERATURE & GAS SENSING DTGS

Anomaly Detection in Temperature Gradients with DTGS

High Sensitivity for Slow, Hidden Leaks

The FOTAS DTGS Solution continuously monitors underground temperature changes and gradients. This dual sensitivity makes it especially effective in detecting low-flow, slow-developing leaks in water, fuel, or chemical pipelines, as well as thermal anomalies caused by leaks that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Field simulation tests have demonstrated that FOTAS DTGS products can detect even small and low-flow leaks within minutes, with a location accuracy of approximately ±10 meters. While DAS immediately captures sudden acoustic events, DTGS provides highly reliable confirmation through temperature gradients within 1–2 minutes.”

Real-Time Response to Sudden Events

Leaks are not always slow. Excavations, bursts, cracks, sudden pressure shifts, or temperature shifts related to leaks can happen instantly. The DTGS Product captures these rapid events in real time and transmits alerts immediately to control centers. In addition, the system supports alarm fusion by combining both DAS and DTGS data, significantly reducing false alarms and increasing overall reliability.

A corroded pipeline is leaking underground. A red fiber optic cable runs parallel above it, detecting the anomaly via acoustic signals.

Leak Source Detection and Operational Efficiency

One of the most critical aspects of leak detection is not only identifying that a leak exists but also pinpointing its exact source. DTGS enables mili kelvin temperature sensitivity along the entire fiber optic cable.

This allows response teams to act quickly and efficiently, targeting the precise area without unnecessary excavation. With its single-channel configuration, the FOTAS DTGS-S-50 provides monitoring of up to 50 km, while dual-channel configurations extend coverage to 100 km. The system also incorporates AI-based event classification and temperature profiling, supporting not only leak detection but also advanced analytics such as pig tracking for pipeline inspection Localized intervention can be performed without shutting down the entire system, preserving operational continuity while significantly reducing maintenance costs.

Environmentally Friendly and Interoperable

Early leak detection is essential not just for protecting infrastructure, but also for preserving ecosystems and public safety.

The DTGS Solution is fully passive, requiring no power at the sensing point, and is built to withstand harsh environmental conditions. It integrates seamlessly with SCADA platforms, CCTV, fire detection, and other industrial safety technologies. “Beyond system integration, the DTGS platform can also issue SMS and email notifications, ensuring operators receive critical alerts instantly and without interruption.

Illustration of a leaking underground pipe detected by fiber optic sensing cable.

Fiber Sensing Comparison Table

Technology	Measured Parameter	Advantages	Limitations
DAS	Vibration / Acoustic	Real-time response to sudden events	Cannot detect silent, low-flow leaks
DTS	Temperature	Sensitive to slow, hidden leaks	Less effective for sudden incidents
DTGS	Temperature Gradient	Unified product, highly sensitive thermal anomaly detection, improved environmental protection	Emerging technology, requires investment

Background: Fiber Optic Sensing Technologies

Fiber optic sensing has traditionally relied on two distinct technologies:

DAS (Distributed Acoustic Sensing): Detects vibrations and acoustic signals, responding instantly to sudden events such as bursts, excavations, or pressure shifts.
DTS (Distributed Temperature Sensing): Monitors underground temperature changes, making it highly effective for identifying slow, low-flow leaks.

While both are powerful, they operate separately. DTGS closes this gap by unifying acoustic sensing with temperature gradient detection into a single integrated solution.

A large steel pipeline near a river is leaking black liquid. A red fiber optic line runs parallel, while a drone monitors the area from above. Blue acoustic waves signal a detected anomaly.

Applications

Crude oil and natural gas pipelines
Water and wastewater infrastructure
Hydrogen and chemical transmission lines
Storage tanks and containment areas
Industrial production and refinery zones

Why Choose FOTAS DTGS for Leak Detection?

Single-product solution for temperature change and acousting sensing
Real-time alerts with precise localization
High sensitivity to slow, hidden leaks
Seamless integration with third-party systems
Passive, eco-conscious sensing infrastructure

Make Silent Risks Visible with DTGS

Not every leak is explosive. Some move silently and remain unnoticed for months. The FOTAS DTGS Product makes these hidden threats visible—before they become disasters. Monitoring is not just about protection; it’s about responsibility.

Protect your infrastructure. Safeguard nature. Contact us for technical documentation and integration details.

FOTAS D-50 is a laser interrogator that detects acoustic signals by analyzing the backscattered light along an optical fiber. Utilizing Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology, it continuously monitors and detects threats such as perimeter intrusions, unauthorized access, digging activities, and leaks over distances of several kilometers. In addition, the system enables leak detection through both acoustic data and integrated DTGS (Distributed Temperature Gradient Sensing) technology.

For a detailed specification table, please click the link below.

Download