This research is for the implementation of non-intrusive measurement techniques in the study of high temperature pipe flow. A low pressure, laboratory scale hybrid rocket motor simulator was built to achieve high temperatures with various gases. A quartz test section was designed, built, and implemented into the existing test setup to accommodate the laser beam of the existing Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectrometer (TDLAS) system which was designed to observe water vapor. A super-heated water vapor injector was designed to obtain the desired water vapor concentrations. Flow characteristics were simultaneously recorded using the existing TDLAS system and the DAQ system for temperatures for later comparison. A numerical study using a commercial CFD package was used to predict the flow characteristics at certain locations for experimental comparison. Based on this study, it is concluded that the TDLAS can be used to make real time temperature measurements of heated internal gas flows.

Lean, premixed combustion has enjoyed increased application due to the need to reduce pollutant emissions. Unfortunately, operating the flame at lean conditions increases susceptibility to thermoacoustic (TA) instability. Self-excited TA instabilities are a result of the coupling of the unsteady heat release rate of the flame with the acoustics of the combustion chamber. The result is large pressure oscillations that degrade performance and durability of combustion systems. Industry currently has no reliable tool to predict instabilities a priori. CFD simulations of full-scale, turbulent, reacting flows remain unrealizable. The work in this paper is part of a study that focuses on developing compact models of TA instabilities, i.e. acoustics and flame dynamics. Flame dynamics are defined as the response in heat release to acoustic perturbations. Models of flame dynamics can be coupled with models of combustor enclosure acoustics to predict TA instabilities. In addition, algorithms to actively control instabilities can be based on these compact models of flame dynamics and acoustics. The work outlined in this thesis aims at determining the flame dynamics model experimentally. Velocity perturbations are imparted on laminar and turbulent flames via a loudspeaker upstream of the flame. The response of the flame is observed through two measurements. Hydroxyl radical (OH*) chemiluminescence indicates the response in chemical reaction rate. Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), centered over two water absorption features, allows a dynamic measurement of the product gas temperature. The response in product gas temperature directly relates to the enthalpy fluctuations that couple to the acoustics. Experimental frequency response functions of a laminar, flat-flame burner and a turbulent, swirl-stabilized combustor will be presented as well as empirical low-order models of flame dynamics. / Master of Science

This thesis describes the development of a sensing technique for temperature nonuniformity along the line of sight through combustion exhaust, geared for gas turbine applications. Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy is used to measure three absorption lines and compute a variable to characterize the level of temperature nonuniformity along the laser path. Nonuniformity information is obtained from one line of sight sensor because the absorption has a nonlinear dependence on temperature. This dependence is analyzed to determine the behaviour, shape, and response of absorption lines measured through mediums with nonuniform temperature profiles. Based on this analysis a new line selection process for nonuniformity sensing is developed. A sensor for temperature nonuniformity is proposed and demonstrated through computer simulations and experiments in the exhaust of a laboratory-scale combustor. The nonuniformity variable, U, is shown to monotonically track the level of temperature nonuniformity along the laser path. The capabilities of this sensing technique are determined based on a comprehensive analysis of errors and their effect on sensor performance. Methods to mitigate these errors are described, and the overall sensor capability is determined based on the characteristics of state of the art diode laser and absorption sensor technology. Such a sensor is capable of measuring minimum temperature deviations of 17% or more, which is well within the needed capabilities for industrial applications. Furthermore, the results and knowledge presented in this thesis apply to other absorption based sensing techniques.

No description available.

The nature of work conducted during the course of study towards a MSc degree focused on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS). This field involves the in-situ detection of gas constituents from low concentration samples. Specifically, I will focus on TDLAS systems utilizing practical optics, readymade electronics, and commercially available near infrared vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL). In attempting to lower the minimum detectable concentrations of constituent gases, quantifying contributory noise sources is vital. Consequently, I seek to characterize principle noise sources of a prototypical TDLAS system in order to gain understanding of the limits that inhibit detection of trace gas concentrations. The noise sources which were focused on can be categorized as follows: source laser noise, optical noise, and detection noise. Through this work it was my goal to provide the means of achieving superior sensitivities.

The main aim of this thesis has been to contribute to the ongoing work with development of new diode-laser-based spectroscopic techniques and metho­do­lo­gies for sensitive detection of molecules in gas phase. The techniques under scrutiny are tunable diode laser absorption spectrometry (TDLAS) and Faraday modulation spectrometry (FAMOS). Conventional distributed-feedback (DFB) tele­communication diode lasers working in the near-infrared (NIR) region have been used for detection of carbon monoxide (CO) and temperature in hot humid media whereas a unique frequency-quadrupled external-cavity diode laser producing mW powers of continuous-wave (cw) light in the ultra violet (UV) region have been used for detection of nitric oxide (NO). A methodology for assessment of CO in hot humid media by DFB-TDLAS has been developed. By addressing a particular transition in its 2nd overtone band, and by use of a dual-fitting methodology with a single reference water spectrum for background correction, % concentrations of CO can be detected in media with tens of percent of H2O (≤40%) at T≤1000 °C with an accuracy of a few %. Moreover, using an ordinary DFB laser working in the C-band, a technique for assessment of the temperature in hot humid gases (T≤1000 °C) to within a fraction of a percent has been developed. The technique addresses two groups of lines in H2O that have a favorable temperature dependence and are easily accessed in a single scan, which makes it sturdy and useful for industrial applications. A technique for detection of NO on its strong electronic transitions by direct absorption spectrometry (DAS) using cw UV diode laser light has been deve­loped. Since the electronic transitions are ca. two or several orders of magnitude stronger than of those at various rotational-vibra­tional bands, the system is capable of detecting NO down to low ppb∙m concentrations solely using DAS. Also the FAMOS technique has been further developed. A new theoretical description expressed in terms of both the integrated line strength of the transition and 1st Fourier coefficients of a magnetic-field-modulated dispersive lineshape functions is presented. The description has been applied to both ro-vib Q-transitions and electronic transitions in NO. Simulations under different pressures and magnetic field conditions have been made that provide the optimum conditions for both cases. A first demonstration and characteri­zation of FAMOS of NO addressing its electronic transitions in the UV-region has been made, resulting in a detection limit of 10 ppb∙m. The characterization indicates that the technique can be significantly improved if optimum conditions can be obtained, which demonstrates the high potential of the UV-FAMOS technique.

L'objectif de cette thèse est de fournir une meilleure compréhension des différents phénomènes physiques liés aux microplasmas/microdécharges. Pour cela, des matrices de microréacteurs sur silicium ont été étudiées. De nombreuses configurations ont été construites de manière à analyser l’influence de chaque paramètre physique sur le fonctionnement de ces dispositifs. Le présent travail porte sur l'élaboration et la caractérisation de dispositifs micro-décharge à base de silicium. Dans ce travail de thèse, les régimes de courant continu (DC) et de courant alternatif (AC) sont étudiés en utilisant des configurations de décharges différentes. Pour la fabrication de ces réacteurs, nous sommes partis de wafers de Silicium que nous avons structurés et traités en salle blanche. La technologie de fabrication utilisée est compatible avec les méthodes de fabrication de dispositifs CMOS. Les microréacteurs sont constitués d’électrodes de nickel et de silicium séparés par une couche diélectrique de SiO2 de 6 μm d’épaisseur. L’épaisseur du diélectrique est ici beaucoup plus faible que celle des microréacteurs étudiés jusqu’à présent. Les dispositifs sont constitués de cavités de 25 à 150 microns de diamètre. Les essais de microdécharge ont été effectués dans des gaz inertes à une pression comprise entre 100 et 1000 Torrs. Nous avons d’abord étudié les phénomènes d’allumage et d’extinction à partir de microdispositifs monocavité en alumine. Puis, nous avons étudié le fonctionnement en DC/AC de microréacteurs en silicium comportant un nombre de cavité compris entre 1 et1024. Les caractéristiques des microdécharges ont été étudiées grâce à des mesures électriques, des mesures de spectroscopie d'émission optique (OES), de spectroscopie d’absorption à diode laser (DLAS) et de spectroscopie d'émission optique résolue en temps (PROES). Ces différents diagnostics nous ont permis de mettre en évidence les phénomènes d’allumage, d’extinction, d’instabilité et les mécanismes de défaillance de nos microdispositifs. Ce travail de thèse a permis de tester les performances et les limites technologiques des matrices de microdécharges sur silicium. Une attention particulière a été portée sur leur durée de vie. / The objective of this thesis is to provide a better understanding of various physical phenomena related to microplasmas/microdischarges. For this purpose, arrays of microreactors on silicon were studied. Different array configurations were fabricated to analyse the influence of each parameter on the physical operation of these devices. The present work focuses on the development and characterisation of micro-discharge devices based on silicon. In this thesis, direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) regimes are studied using different discharge configurations. For the fabrication of these reactors, Silicon wafers are structured and processed in a cleanroom. Fabrication technology used is compatible with the CMOS technology. The microreactors are fabricated with nickel and silicon electrodes, separated by a dielectric layer of SiO2 with a thickness of 6 μm. The thickness of the dielectric is much lower here than the microreactors studied so far. The devices consist of cavities with 25 to 150 μm in diameter. Experiments of the microdischarges are performed in inert gases at a pressure between 100 and 1000 Torr. We first studied the phenomena of ignition and extinction for the microdevices based on alumina. Then, we studied the microreactors based on silicon containing 1 to 1024 cavities under DC and AC regimes. Characteristics of microdischarges were studied by electrical measurements, measurements of optical emission spectroscopy (OES), laser diode absorption spectroscopy (DLAS) and phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy (PROES). These diagnostics allowed us to investigate the phenomena of ignition, extinction, instability and failure mechanisms of the microplasma devices. This thesis work allowed testing the performance and technological limitations of the silicon based microdischarge arrays. Particular attention was paid to their life time.

The objective of this thesis is to provide a better understanding of various physical phenomena related to microplasmas/microdischarges. For this purpose, arrays of microreactors on silicon were studied. Different array configurations were fabricated to analyse the influence of each parameter on the physical operation of these devices. The present work focuses on the development and characterisation of micro-discharge devices based on silicon. In this thesis, direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) regimes are studied using different discharge configurations. For the fabrication of these reactors, Silicon wafers are structured and processed in a cleanroom. Fabrication technology used is compatible with the CMOS technology. The microreactors are fabricated with nickel and silicon electrodes, separated by a dielectric layer of SiO2 with a thickness of 6 μm. The thickness of the dielectric is much lower here than the microreactors studied so far. The devices consist of cavities with 25 to 150 μm in diameter. Experiments of the microdischarges are performed in inert gases at a pressure between 100 and 1000 Torr. We first studied the phenomena of ignition and extinction for the microdevices based on alumina. Then, we studied the microreactors based on silicon containing 1 to 1024 cavities under DC and AC regimes. Characteristics of microdischarges were studied by electrical measurements, measurements of optical emission spectroscopy (OES), laser diode absorption spectroscopy (DLAS) and phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy (PROES). These diagnostics allowed us to investigate the phenomena of ignition, extinction, instability and failure mechanisms of the microplasma devices. This thesis work allowed testing the performance and technological limitations of the silicon based microdischarge arrays. Particular attention was paid to their life time.