Simultaneous laser-induced emission of soot and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons within a gas-jet diffusion flame

Randall L. Vander Wal, Kirk A. Jensen, Mun Y. Choi

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122 Scopus citations

Abstract

Simultaneous images of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) due to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and laser-induced incandescence (LII) visualization of soot concentrations are presented for laminar gas- jet diffusion flames. Spatially integrated measurements reveal similar spectral emission for LIF and LII, but vastly different time scales associated with radiative decay. Comparison of spatially resolved images using either 266-nm or 1064-nm excitation light reveals distinct regions of molecular fluorescence and soot incandescence. Consideration of photophysical properties of PAHs suggests that the fluorescence wavelength distribution is dependent on the size of the PAH. Using different detection spectral bands, spatially resolved regions attributed to different-sized PAHs are presented. The spatial distribution of PAll size is consistent with the putative growth mechanism of PAHs. In the region between the LIF due to PAHs and LII due to soot, a dark zone is observed that is attributed to the presence of soot precursor particles. Current understanding of soot formation indicates that through both physical and/or chemical condensation, large PAHs react first to form soot precursor particles prior to the formation of soot particles. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of thermophoretically collected material from within this dark region confirmed the presence of soot precursor particles 2 to 5 nm in diameter.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)399-414
Number of pages16
JournalCombustion and Flame
Volume109
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1997

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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