Novel Instrumentation for Real-Time Combustion Monitoring and Control

Effective monitoring and control of power plants, industrial furnaces, boilers, incinerators and other combustion systems is limited by the sensitivity, specificity, speed, and reliability of available sensors and control systems. As a result, industrial combustion-based processes operate with sub-optimal efficiency and release excessive toxic emissions, pollutants, and greenhouse gases. This project will develop a novel, robust instrument capable of accurately measuring and controlling multiple, critical combustion-exhaust emissions in real time, with unprecedented sensitivity and speed. The instrument, which will be based on tunable lasers and cavity-enhanced-absorption spectroscopy, will increase combustion efficiency and significantly reduce hazardous and toxic gas emissions. In Phase I, the instrument will be designed and built, and then combined with a closed-loop control strategy to optimize combustion efficiency and decrease pollutants and greenhouse gases and unwanted exhaust emissions. The instrument will be used in the exhaust of a laboratory combustor (Phase I) and in an industrial plant (Phase II), to validate performance and demonstrate an ability to make continuous measurements and exert control over extended periods. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The instrument should be applicable to the monitoring and control of combustion emissions (e.g., from power plants, furnaces, boilers, incinerators) for the monitoring and control of industrial processes, for monitoring atmospheric pollutants, pollutants and greenhouse gases, and for engine diagnostics and automobile monitoring.