In-situ measurement of pyrolysis and combustion gases from biomass burning using swept wavelength external cavity quantum cascade lasers

Abstract

Broadband high-speed absorption spectroscopy using swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade lasers (ECQCLs) is applied to measure multiple pyrolysis and combustion gases in biomass burning experiments. Two broadly-tunable swept-ECQCL systems were used, with the first tuned over a range of 2089-2262 cm−1 (4.42–4.79 µm) to measure spectra of CO2, H2O, and CO. The second was tuned over a range of 920-1150 cm−1 (8.70–10.9 µm) to measure spectra of ammonia (NH3), ethene (C2H4), and methanol (MeOH). Absorption spectra were measured continuously at a 100 Hz rate throughout the burn process, including inhomogeneous flame regions, and analyzed to determine time-resolved gas concentrations and temperature. The results provide in-situ, dynamic information regarding gas-phase species as they are generated, close to the biomass fuel source.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Mar 11, 2020
Source ID
10.1364/oe.386072

Entities

People

  • D. R. Weise
  • Mark C. Phillips
  • T. L. Myers
  • Timothy J Johnson

Organizations

  • Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program

Tags

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Organic Chemistry

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers
  • Quantum Computing