Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy For Analysis Of High Density Methane-Oxygen Mixtures, Matthew Dackman

Masters Theses

The applicability of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) toward greater than atmospheric density combustion diagnostics is examined. Specifically, this involves ascertaining the feasibility of measuring chemical equivalence ratios directly from atomic emission spectra at high density. The need for such measurement arises from the desire to quantify real time, localized combustion performance in weakly mixed flows. Insufficiently mixed flows generally result in unwanted byproducts, possess the propensity for overall combustion instability, and are increasingly likely to experience localized flame extinction.

We simulate methane/oxygen combustion in ambient pressures ranging 1 to 4 atmospheres, demonstrating these results to be analogous to what would …

Development Of Optical Sensors For Chemical Detection, Jonathan Kelly Fong

Doctoral Dissertations

Detection of biodiesel at low and high concentrations in diesel is highly desired in the aviation and fuel industries. Cross contamination of jet fuel with biodiesel may impact the thermal stability and freezing point which can cause deposits in the fuel system or cause the fuel to gel, leading to jet engine operability problems and possible engine flameout. A dye doped optical sensor utilizing the dye Nile Blue Chloride has been developed for quick and direct detection of biodiesel which mainly contains fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The sensing mechanism relies on the solvatochromatic properties of the dye which undergoes …