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Propene concentration sensing for combustion gases using quantum-cascade laser absorption near 11 μm

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Abstract

We report on a strategy to measure, in situ, the concentration of propene (C3H6) in combustion gases using laser absorption spectroscopy. Pyrolysis of n-butane was conducted in a shock tube, in which the resultant gases were probed using an extended cavity quantum-cascade laser. A differential absorption approach using online and offline wavelengths near λ = 10.9 μm enabled discrimination of propene, cancelling the effects of spectral interference from the simultaneous presence of intermediate hydrocarbon species during combustion. Such interference-free measurements were facilitated by exploiting the =C–H bending mode characteristic to alkenes (olefins). It was confirmed, for intermediate species present during pyrolysis of n-butane, that their absorption cross sections were the same magnitude for both online and offline wavelengths. Hence, this allowed time profiles of propene concentration to be measured during pyrolysis of n-butane in a shock tube. Time profiles of propene subsequent to a passing shock wave exhibit trends similar to that predicted by the well-established JetSurF 1.0 chemical kinetic mechanism, albeit lower by a factor of two. Such a laser diagnostic is a first step to experimentally determining propene in real time with sufficient time resolution, thus aiding the refinement and development of chemical kinetic models for combustion.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) for research funds towards this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clean Combustion Research Centre, Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia

    Robin S. M. Chrystie, Ehson F. Nasir & Aamir Farooq

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  1. Robin S. M. Chrystie
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  2. Ehson F. Nasir
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  3. Aamir Farooq
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Correspondence to Aamir Farooq.

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Chrystie, R.S.M., Nasir, E.F. & Farooq, A. Propene concentration sensing for combustion gases using quantum-cascade laser absorption near 11 μm. Appl. Phys. B 120, 317–327 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-015-6139-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-015-6139-4

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