Quantitative PLIF Imaging in High-Pressure Combustion

This is the final report for a research project aimed at developing planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) techniques for quantitative 2-D species imaging in fuel-lean, high-pressure combustion gases, relevant to modem aircraft gas turbine combustors. The program involved both theory and experiment. The theoretical activity led to spectroscopic models that allow calculation of the laser-induced fluorescence produced in OH, NO and 02 for arbitrary excitation wavelength, pressure, temperature, gas mixture and laser linewidth. These spectroscopic models incorporate new information on line- broadening, energy transfer and electronic quench rates. Extensive calculations have been made with these models in order to identify optimum excitation strategies, particularly for detecting low levels (ppm) of NO in the presence of large 02 mole fractions (10% is typical for the fuel-lean combustion of interest). A promising new measurement concept has emerged from these calculations, namely that excitation at specific wavelengths, together with detection of fluorescence in multiple spectral bands, promises to enable simultaneous detection of both NO (at ppm levels) and 02 or possibly NO, 02 and temperature. Calculations have been made to evaluate the expected performance of such a diagnostic for a variety of conditions and choices of excitation and detection wavelengths. The experimental effort began with assembly of a new high-pressure combustor to provide controlled high-temperature and high-pressure combustion products. The non-premixed burner enables access to postflame gases at high temperatures (to 2000 K) and high pressures (to 13 atm), and a range of fuel-air equivalence ratios. The chamber also allowed use of a sampling probe, for chemiluminescent detection of NO/NO2, and thermocouples for measurement of gas temperature. Experiments were conducted to confirm the spectroscopic models for OH, NO and 02.