A. Arnold

Flame front imaging in an internal-combustion engine simulator by laser-induced fluorescence of acetaldehyde.

Acetaldehyde has been used as a fluorescent dopant for two-dimensional imaging of the flame front in an internalcombustion-engine simulator. The molecule was excited with a XeCl-laser-light sheet at 308 nm, and broadband fluorescence centered at 400 nm was detected. In this way, the flame front could be marked by mapping regions of unburned gas. Also, the intake process into the engine could be followed.

Laser in situ monitoring of combustion processes

Several examples of laser in situ monitoring of combustion processes are presented. Using a frequency modulated (13)CO(2) waveguide laser, in situ concentrations of NH(3) down to 1 ppm were measured at temperatures up to 600 degrees C in waste incinerators and power or chemical plants. Following ignition of CH(3)OH-O(2) mixtures by a TEA CO(2) laser, gas temperature profiles were measured using rapid scanning tunable diode laser spectroscopy of CO molecules. In laminar CH(4)-air counterflow diffusion flames at atmospheric pressure absolute concentrations, temperatures, and collisional lifetimes of OH radicals were determined by 2-D and picosecond LIF and absorption spectroscopy. Two-dimensional LIF and Mie scattering were used to observe fuel injection and combustion in a diesel engine.

Investigation of flame structure and burning behaviour in an IC engine simulator by 2D-LIF of OH radicals

Turbulent combustion of propane/air mixtures in an internal combustion engine simulator has been studied by 2D-LIF of OH radicals formed in the combustion process. A laser light sheet of thickness 75 μm at 308 nm was used for excitation of OH and the fluorescence imaged onto an image-intensified CCD-camera. From the large number of images recorded, information on the burning behaviour of various flame structures could be obtained. In particular, flame extinction was clearly observed for lean (λ=1.5) mixtures.

DI Diesel Engine Combustion Visualized by Combined Laser Techniques

In this work we demonstrate that the progress of the combustion cycle in a four-cylinder (in-line) 1.9 1 direct injection Diesel engine can be studied effectively using different laser visualization techniques. Direct optical access to the piston bowl was facilitated by inserting quartz windows in one of the pistons. The flow field at the time of injection was characterized by seeding the flow and illuminating the piston bowl with a laser light sheet. Fuel spray development, auto-ignition and flame propagation in a Diesel cycle were followed by laser shadowgraphy and high speed cinematography while simultaneous laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and Mie scattering images were taken to distinguish the fuel distribution in the liquid and vapor phase. In addition, two dimensional distributions of OH and NO, formed during n-heptane/air combustion in the same engine, were recorded in the pressure range 5 to 50 bar by LIF following narrowband excitation using tunable excimer lasers. Finally, further work, designed to obtain quantitative images and hence data for comparison with model calculations, is outlined.

Simultaneous single-shot imaging of OH and O2 using a two-wavelength excimer laser

A technique is described for simultaneous single-shot imaging of OH and O2. Laser-induced fluorescence of both molecules is excited by a tunable KrF laser, which is operated simultaneously on two wavelengths. By using two CCD detectors with image intensifiers and suitable filters, separate images of OH and O2 distributions in H2/O2 and hydrocarbon/air flames were obtained.

2D single-shot imaging of OH radicals using tunable excimer lasers

Three schemes for imaging OH with tunable excimer lasers are compared: Excitation and detection at 308 nm (0–0 band, XeCl laser), excitation with a KrF laser at 248 nm (3–0 band) and a new scheme using excitation at 308 nm and detection at 343 nm (0–1 band). Each scheme has certain advantages: The first scheme gives by far the highest signal, the second is less sensitive to collisional quenching and the third is suited to dirty environments because of the long excitation wavelength and off-resonance detection.

Two-wavelength operation of a tunable KrF excimer laser — A promising technique for combustion diagnostics

A KrF excimer laser was operated on two independently tunable lines. This was achieved by a double-resonator configuration with two gratings. Tuning range and gain competition were investigated. The narrow line width (<1 cm−1) and the independent tunability make this laser ideal for simultaneous spectroscopic detection of two species and temperature measurements in combustion processes.