SBIR Phase I: Imaging Sensor for Combustion Diagnostics

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop and commercialize an imaging sensor capable of rapid, non?]intrusive, spatially?]resolved measurement of temperature, and concentration of chemical species in combustion systems. This imaging sensor system incorporates diode lasers, a high?]sensitivity measurement technique based on absorption spectroscopy, and data analysis routines to provide an unprecedented combination of high?]temporal and high?]spatial resolution, and multi?]dimensional data. In many applications, information about the spatial and temporal variation of the properties is critical. Examples include the monitoring and control of industrial combustors and furnaces, where information about the location of the ?ghot spots?h is highly desired; and the monitoring of indoor air pollutants, where information about the location and diffusion properties of the contamination sources is critical. The technical goal is a laboratory scale demonstration of the imaging sensor providing spatial distribution of flow properties. The broader impacts of this research are that specific markets relevant to this work include both military and commercial jet engine manufacturers, manufacturers of industrial combustors/burners for power generation and heat processing, manufacturers of environmental sensors, the academic research community, and government research laboratories and flight test programs. The initial target application of the proposed imaging sensor is in the energy and environmental sectors which include the monitoring and control of combustion systems to reduce pollutant emissions, improve indoor/outdoor air quality, and maximize fuel efficiency.