Ultra-Sensitive Instrument for Gas Turbine Black Carbon Emissions Measurements

This proposal address innovations to the Laser-Induced Incandescence method aimed at (1) improving the lower detection limit of soot volume fraction by as much as two orders of magnitude and increasing overall measurement range by two orders of magnitude to meet new regulation that are in place or anticipated and (2) provide PM mean volumetric particle size and number density measurement capabilities. The proposed advances in the LII technique will substantially increase the capabilities for real-time particulate matter measurements over any engine transient operation. It will also have several orders of magnitude greater sensitivity than the gravimetric techniques or any other available method. The wide dynamic range and lower detection limit of LII will make this technique the preferred standard instrument for particulate matter measurements.