Raman Spectroscopy for Temporally Resolved Combustion Gas Diagnostics

Abstract

A novel approach for cost-effective and temporally resolved in-line combustion gas diagnostics based on spontaneous Stokes Raman spectroscopy is presented in this paper. The proposed instrument uses a multipass configuration designed to increase the scattering generation, giving information about gas species concentrations, including H2 and N2 that are not commonly available from analysis with absorption spectroscopy techniques. The system performs calibrated analysis providing both qualitative and quantitative information about the gas composition. Depending on the application, the device can work with spectra integration time from 0.15 s up to 10 s, with a Raman spectrum ranging from the H2 rotational peak at Raman shift of 587 cm−1 up to the H2 vibrational peak at 4156 cm−1, covering all the Raman emissions of major combustion species. The device response was characterized by a working pressure from 0.7 to 7.5 bar. The instrument prototype has been made completely transportable, designed to operate using a gas sampling system, and ready to be operated in relevant industrial in-line environments.