Laser Diagnostic Lab
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University

       

Laser Diagnostics

Laser diagnostics for multiphase fuels
Rapid and reliable measurements of vapor and droplets in sprays are desirable in many scientific and industrial applications. This research develops tools based on wavelength-multiplexed laser absorption and extinction to address such important measurement needs.

As a preliminary stage of this research, laser diagnostics have been developed and demonstrated in water sprays to provide simultaneous vapor and aerosol information during the interactions of aerosols and shock waves.

An important topic for future research is the extension of these diagnostics to provide real-time and simultaneous vapor and droplet measurements in fuel sprays.

Industrial applications
Besides their applications in scientific research, laser diagnostics have been proven to be superior to conventional methods in many industrial applications. These laser-based methods have shown good perspective to solve problems now confronting industry, such as temperature and pollutants monitoring. Fuel monitoring and control are critical to most combustion applications. Therefore, a natural and important research topic is to adopt such diagnostics to industrial applications.

Laser diagnostics for emerging technologies
Besides their applications in the above areas, optical methods have been demonstrated to be powerful tools in many other fields, including applications in fuel cells, early detection of cancer, and drug delivery. Such applications will also be investigated.

Relevant Publications:

1. Hanson, R.K., Mattison, D.W., Ma, L., Davidson, D.R., Sanders, S.T.
Laser diagnostics and combustion chemistry for pulse detonation engines
In Combustion Processes in Propulsion (ed. Roy, G.), Elsevier Press, 2006

2. Jeffries, J.B., Sanders, S.T., Zhou, X., Ma, L., Mattison, D.W., Hanson, R.K.
Scanned wavelength diode-laser sensors for harsh environments
Proceedings of the SPIE - The International Society for Optical Eng. 4871; 88-95, 2002

3. Sanders, S.T., Mattison, D.W., Ma, L., Jeffries, J.B., Hanson, R.K.
Wavelength-agile diode-laser sensing strategies for monitoring gas properties in optically harsh flows: application in cesium-seeded pulse detonation engine
Optics Express 10: 505-514, 2002

Active Combustion Control
 

Active combustion control based on fuel vapor measurements has been demonstrated to improve fuel efficiency and reduce failures of engine operation. These successful demonstrations motivate further research and development of active combustion control using laser-based fuel sensors. The first key component of this research involves the improvement of sensor performance and sensing capability. The second key component focuses on improving optical engineering of the sensors and algorithms to interpret the sensing signals, so that the control scheme can be used reliably in practical combustion devices. This research work will also provide valuable insights and experience for active combustion control based on other species (oxidizer, combustion products, or emissions) using laser sensors.
 

Relevant Publications:
1. Mattison, D.W., Brophy, C.M., Sanders, S.T., Ma, L., Hinckley, K.M., Jeffries, J.B., Hanson, R.K.
Pulse detonation engine characterization and control using tunable diode-laser sensors.
Journal of Propulsion and Power 19: 268-572, 2003
 
2. Ma, L., Sanders, S.T., Jeffries, J.B., Hanson, R.K.
Monitoring and control of a pulse detonation engine using a diode-laser fuel concetration and temperature sensor.
Proceedings of the Combustion Institute 29 (1): 161-166, 2002
Also presented at the 29th International Symposium on Combustion; Sapporo