Form 9.B Project Summary
Chron:
971226
Proposal
Number:
08.05-2306
Project Title:
Emission tomography for non-intrusive
three-dimensional measurements of
density, temperature, and chemical
composition in rocket engine plumes
Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)
This proposal presents an economical instrument
for making global measurements of density,
temperature, and constituent concentration of
rocket engine plumes. This innovative technique is
based on collecting emitted flame radiation from a
large number of viewing angles; the irradiance
depends on the integrated effects of gas and
particulate temperature and species concentration
along the optical path. Using a large number of
intersecting optical paths allows the resulting set of
radiative transfer equations to be inverted to obtain
the spatial temperature profile of the flame or
plume. This emission tomography approach is
appealing because, unlike conventional
transmission tomography, neither probe beams nor
their associated optics are required. Therefore,
only simple optical access to the combustion
chamber is required to implement this technique.
Emission tomography can be used with both
stimulated and spontaneously emitted radiation,
and spectroscopic methods may be used to isolate
the concentration of one or more constituents. By
using two emission lines of a known species, the
temperature may be extracted by a simple two color
technique. Prior simulations and experiments
presented here illustrate that with simple optical
geometry and a single camera, the reaction zone of
a diffusion flame may be accurately identified; this
illustration applies equally well to temperature
measurement. Iterative algorithms are necessary to
account for self-absorption and refraction effects.
This technique may also be applied directly to other
gas phase processes.
Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)
The proposed instrument will provide three
dimensional density, temperature, and constituent
concentration measurements using spectroscopic
emission computed tomography. This instrument
will be useful in both research and industrial
monitoring applications, having applications in
areas requiring three dimensional measurement.
Significant applications include high temperature
gas dynamics, welding, plasma spray, and other gas
phase flows.
Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,
Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Timothy D. Upton
Northeast Photosciences, Inc.
18 Flagg Rd.
Hollis , NH 03049
Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,
City/State/Zip)
Paul Bagley
Northeast Photosciences, Inc.
18 Flagg Road
Hollis , NH 03049