Tracer-based planar laser-induced fluorescence diagnostics [electronic resource] : quantitative photophysics and time-resolved imaging
Keywords: Mechanical Engineering

Two advances to tracer-based planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) diagnostics are presented in this work. The first improvement is the development of a 3-pentanone fluorescence quantum yield (FQY) database and model for a wide range of conditions in support of quantitative PLIF diagnostics. In addition, this work presents a sensitive, time-resolved tracer-based PLIF diagnostic, accomplished by using a continuous-wave (CW) laser with the high-FQY tracer toluene. Because of its ease of use and desirable photophysical properties, PLIF diagnostics using 3-pentanone as a tracer are common, particularly for internal combustion engine (ICE) diagnostics. Thus, there is a need for 3-pentanone FQY measurements and modeling over a wide range of temperatures, pressures, and excitation wavelengths. For insight into the collisionless process in the FQY model, measurements were made in 3-pentanone vapor at low-pressures across a range of temperatures using a flowing cell. Laser excitation with 248, 266, 277, 308 nm wavelengths were utilized, and Rayleigh scattering of the laser beam was used to calibrate the optical efficiency of the collection optics and detector. This low-pressure data allows calculation of the 3-pentanone fluorescence rate and non-radiative de-excitation rate in the fluorescence model. The vibrational relaxation cascade parameter for 3-pentanone collisions was also determined. Measurements of 3-pentanone FQY were also made over a range of temperatures and pressures relevant to diagnostic applications, and, in particular, combined high-temperature and high-pressure conditions applicable to internal combustion engines (ICE). These data were collected in a custom-built optical cell capable of simultaneous high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. The behavior of the FQY in nitrogen for temperatures up to 745 K and in air up to 570 K was examined for pressures from 1 to 25 bar. These data were used to further optimize the parameters in the FQY model representing collisional processes. The large quantity of data with 308 nm excitation allowed optimization of the nitrogen quenching rate, and data in air were used to optimize the oxygen quenching rate. These data were also used to optimize the vibrational relaxation parameters for nitrogen and oxygen. The model with the updated parameters is consistent with the data collected in the current work, as well as with fluorescence measurements made in optical ICEs up to 1100 K and 28 bar. Another area of tracer-based PLIF diagnostics development is time-resolved imaging. Because PLIF diagnostics are often performed using pulsed lasers, the time resolution of measurements is limited to the pulse rate of laser. Use of a high-powered visible laser with an off-the-shelf cavity frequency doubler is shown to produce a moderate-power CW beam in the ultraviolet wavelength regime. Application of this CW source to excite toluene, a high-FQY tracer, yields a sensitive, time-resolved tracer-based PLIF diagnostic. Fluctuation detection limits for tracer mole fraction were investigated by applying the diagnostic to an atmospheric temperature and pressure nitrogen jet seeded with 4% toluene, and detection limits of better than 1% of the maximum toluene mole fraction were achieved for detection of fluorescence signal at a point, along a line, and over a plane. The diagnostic was also demonstrated on a turbulent jet for line and planar detection and demonstrated the potential for toluene time-resolved PLIF diagnostics with CW lasers.