Infrared Degenerate Four-wave Mixing with Upconversion Detection for Quantitative Gas Sensing

We present a protocol for performing gas spectroscopy using infrared degenerated four-wave mixing (IR-DFWM), for the quantitative detection of gas species ...

Lund University

The application of midinfrared polarization spectroscopy (mid-IRPS) is demonstrated for sensitive detection of minor molecular species in combustion environments by probing rovibrational transitions. High resolution mid-IRPS spectra of low pressure flames were obtained in the spectral range around 3 microm. Rotational lines of the fundamental vibrational band of the hydroxyl radical (OH) were fully resolved and properly assigned among the abundant hot water lines in the flame mid-IRPS spectra. The high signal-to-noise ratio of the recorded OH lines indicates the feasibility of sensitive mid-IRPS OH detection. This constitutes, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported OH flame detection in the midinfrared spectral range. A simulation of hot water mid-IRPS lines with molecular parameters extracted from the HITRAN/HITEMP database was performed and compared with the observed flame spectra. The proper prediction of the hot water lines may help to clarify the potential spectral interferences associated with minor species measurements.

Midinfrared polarization spectroscopy of OH and hot water in low pressure lean premixed flames.

Sensitive and nonintrusive detection of HCl in reactive gas flows with high spatial and temporal resolution manner has for the first time (to our knowledge) been demonstrated using mid-infrared polarization spectroscopy (IRPS). Trace levels of HCl were prepared in an atmospheric pressure premixed CH4/O2/Ar flat flame by seeding a small amount of chloroform into the Ar flow. Detection of HCl with IRPS in the burnt region of the stoichiometric flame was performed by probing the fundamental ro-vibration transitions with a 3.2 microm tunable pulsed laser. The quantitative nature, the detection sensitivity, and the potential spectral interferences from water were investigated.

Spatially resolved trace detection of HCl in flames with mid-infrared polarization spectroscopy.

The design and features of a high pressure chamber and burner that is suitable for combustion experiments at elevated pressures are presented. The high pressure combustion apparatus utilizes a high pressure burner that is comprised of a chamber burner module and an easily accessible interchangeable burner module to add to its flexibility. The burner is well suited to study both premixed and non-premixed flames. The optical access to the chamber is provided through four viewports for direct visual observations and optical-based diagnostic techniques. Auxiliary features include numerous access ports and electrical connections and as a result, the combustion apparatus is also suitable to work with plasmas and liquid fuels. Images of methane flames at elevated pressures up to 25 atm and preliminary results of optical-based measurements demonstrate the suitability of the high pressure experimental apparatus for combustion experiments. 

Experimental apparatus with full optical access for combustion experiments with laminar flames from a single circular nozzle at elevated pressures.

We present mid-infrared laser-induced thermal grating spectroscopy (IR-LITGS) using excitation radiation around 3 µm generated by a simple broadband optical parametric oscillator (OPO). Acetylene as a typical small hydrocarbon molecule is used as an example target species. A mid-infrared broadband OPO pumped by the fundamental output of a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser was used to generate the pump beams, with pulse energies of 6-10 mJ depending on the wavelength. The line width of the OPO idler beam was ∼5 cm(-1), which is large enough to cover up to six adjacent acetylene lines. The probe beam was the radiation of a 532 nm cw solid state laser with 190 mW output power. Signals were generated in atmospheric pressure gas flows of N2, air, CO2 and Ar with small admixtures of C2H2 A detection limit of less than 300 ppm was found for a point measurement of C2H2 diluted in N2 As expected, the oscillation frequency of the IR-LITGS signal was found to have a large dependency on the buffer gas, which allows determination of the speed of sound. Moreover, the results reveal a very strong collisional energy exchange between C2H2 and CO2 compared to the other gases. This manifests as significant local heating. In summary, the MIR-LITGS technique enables spectroscopy of fundamental vibrational transitions in the infrared via detection in the visible spectral range.

Mid-Infrared Pumped Laser-Induced Thermal Grating Spectroscopy for Detection of Acetylene in the Visible Spectral Range.

Laser-induced grating spectroscopy (LIGS) is an experimental method in which two pulsed laser beams and a continuous-wave laser beam have to be superimposed under well-defined angles to generate a coherent signal beam. In this Note, the possible effects of different forms of misalignment are examined. This includes the overlap of the pump lasers as well as the influence of the probe laser alignment on the temporal profile of the signal.

Misalignment Effects in Laser-Induced Grating Experiments.

An understanding of potassium chemistry in energy conversion processes supports the development of complex biomass utilization with high efficiency and low pollutant emissions. Potassium exists mainly as potassium hydroxide (KOH), potassium chloride (KCl), and atomic potassium (K) in combustion and related thermochemical processes. We report, for the first time, the measurement of the ultraviolet (UV) absorption cross sections of KOH and KCl at temperatures between 1300 K and 1800 K, using a newly developed method. Using the spectrally resolved UV absorption cross sections, the concentrations of KOH and KCl were measured simultaneously. In addition, we measured the concentrations of atomic K using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy, both at 404.4 and 769.9 nm. The 404.4 nm line was utilized to expand the measurement dynamic range to higher concentrations. A constant amount of KCl was seeded into premixed CH/air flames with equivalence ratios varied from 0.67 to 1.32, and the concentrations of KOH, KCl, and atomic K in the hot flue gas were measured nonintrusively. The results indicate that these techniques can provide comprehensive data for quantitative understanding of the potassium chemistry in biomass combustion/gasification.

Zhongshan Li

Combustion Physics,
Department of Physics,
Combustion Physics, Department of Physics

Lund University

Infrared Degenerate Four-wave Mixing with Upconversion Detection for Quantitative Gas Sensing

Zhongshan Li

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Combustion Physics,Department of Physics,Combustion Physics, Department of Physics

Lund University

Infrared Degenerate Four-wave Mixing with Upconversion Detection for Quantitative Gas Sensing

Combustion Physics,
Department of Physics,
Combustion Physics, Department of Physics