Tomographic Reconstruction of Infrared Spectra of Nonhomogeneous Media: Applications to a Flat Flame Burner
Abstract
We are using computed tomography, a radiological imaging technique, to obtain species profiles within a flame as a function of height above the burner surface and lateral position at that height. This information is extracted from parallel line-of-sight absorbance data using a technique known as Abel inversion. This process yields two dimensional 'slices' of the flame. At any point within each slice the infrared spectrum of the species present may be obtained. Abel inversion is a special application of computerized tomography which may be applied only to systems possessing axial symmetry. We have used this technique to evaluate line-of-sight spectra of a low pressure (< 100 torr) premixed methane/nitrous oxide burner flame. The flame is supported on a water- cooled, stainless steel cylindrical frit which sits inside a low pressure chamber. Parallel line-of-sight infrared spectra through the low pressure chamber are inverted to give the radial dependence of infrared absorption at each wavelength of the spectrum. This data is used to evaluate the performance of the low pressure burner and to discriminate against cold gases which may obscure absorbances of trace species within the flame.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA249999
Entities
People
- Kevin L. McNesby
- Robert A. Fifer
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory