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DOE OSTI2022

Sooting tendencies of terpenes and hydrogenated terpenes as sustainable transportation biofuels

Terpenes are a diverse group of molecules that are synthesized by plants and microorganisms through combining units of isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene). They typically contain rings and methyl branches, which gives them high energy densities and low freezing points and makes them appealing candidates for sustainable transportation biofuels. Between the original biosynthesis and upgrading options such as hydrogenation, they have a large degree of freedom of structures, e.g., different carbon skeletons, positions of double bonds, and functional groups. Therefore, structure-property data is needed to downselect potential fuel candidates. Here, we measured the sooting tendencies of 17 C10 monoterpenes and 7 of their hydrogenated analogues. The hydrogenated compounds were custom synthesized, so the quantities were too small for conventional smoke point measurements. Thus, the sooting tendencies were quantified with yield sooting index (YSI), which is based on the soot yield in a fuel-doped non-premixed methane flame. Derived smoke points (DSPs) were estimated from a correlation between YSI and smoke point for other hydrocarbons. The YSI of terpenes and their derivatives varies widely from 85.6 to 248.5. The YSI follows the trend: terpenes > dihydroterpenes > tetrahydroterpenes. The DSPs of all the tetrahydroterpenes and some dihydroterpenes are higher than that of a Jet-A fuel sample, suggesting that they offer soot reduction benefits. Further, the YSIs depend strongly on molecular structure; for example, α-pinene and β-pinene have identical carbon skeletons and differ only in the position of one carbon-carbon double bond, but the YSI of α-pinene is 34% higher than that of β-pinene. Detailed decomposition analysis via density functional theory (DFT) suggests that compared with β-pinene, α-pinene requires fewer steps to form the first aromatic ring and the process is more thermodynamically favorable. The YSI difference between the pinenes is mainly affected by the identity of the products from the dominant decomposition pathways.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Raman signatures of detonation soot

Soot generated from the detonation of nine explosives was investigated with Raman microspectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The first order bands, located at approximately 1,580 (G), 1,350 (D1), 1,620 cm –1 (D2), 1,500 (D3), and 1,200 (D4), are used to provide information on the carbon allotropes and defects. The intensity ratios and the full-width at half-maximum provide an indication of the disorder in the material. The Raman spectra of soot acquired from the detonation of nine explosives showed differences which can be used to identify the precursor explosive. Overall, most differences in the spectra were correlated with the presence of amorphous carbon in the soot. In additional to identification of distinct bands in the spectra via deconvolution, principal component analysis was also used to differentiate the different types of soot. HRTEM performed on soot samples with different explosive precursors identified several distinct allotropes of carbon such as nanodiamonds, carbon onions, graphite fibers, and amorphous carbon.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

DOE OSTI2020

Sooting tendencies of 20 bio-derived fuels for advanced spark-ignition engines

The sooting tendencies of 20 bio-derived fuels indicated as potential blendstocks for spark-ignition engines by the Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines (Co-Optima) Initiative are studied. The Yield Sooting Index (YSI) is used to quantify the sooting tendencies. The Co-Optima Chemical Model is used to predict the numerical YSIs for all test fuels, and these results are compared with measurements. Experimental YSIs are newly measured for 2 furans and are taken from our previous work for the other compounds. Overall, the predicted YSIs agree well with measurements, within the experimental uncertainties, except for 2,5-dimethylfuran (2,5-DMF). It is found that Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) growth reactions have little influence on the relative soot production from each fuel and therefore on YSI predictions. A modified sensitivity coefficient formulation is proposed to evaluate reaction sensitivities specifically for YSI. This formulation is applied to the 2,5-DMF-doped flame, and six 2,5-DMF initial decomposition reactions, which lead to different major soot precursors, are identified as the most sensitive reactions. The impact of the chemical kinetic uncertainties embedded in these reactions is quantified by randomly perturbing their reaction rates within a factor of two. The resulting prediction uncertainty in the 2,5-DMF-doped flame is found to be ± 8 YSI units (±11%), which demonstrates that the test-fuel-specific decomposition reactions indeed have considerable influence on its YSI prediction. Our research suggests that more accurate kinetic parameters for fuel initial decomposition reactions can potentially improve YSI predictions effectively, without altering the YSI predictions of other fuels with significantly different molecular structures.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2025

The effect on soot and its gas precursors of doping ethylene with 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethyl-heptane in the nitrogen-fuel stream of a laminar non-premixed Planar Mixing Layer Flame (PMLF)

Synthetic Aviation Turbine Fuels (SATFs) are promising for reducing soot emissions from the aviation sector and diversifying Jet Fuel (JF) sources. Accurately predicting the combustion and emissions behavior of SATFs (and other JFs) necessitates robust experimental databases to elucidate the chemistry of long-chain iso-paraffins, which can compose up to two-thirds of SATF blends and whose behavior is considered to be well-represented by that of iso-dodecane isomers. Here, this study characterizes two laminar non-premixed Planar Mixing Layer Flames (PMLFs) with mild soot loads fueled by nitrogen-diluted ethylene, pure and doped with 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethyl-heptane, respectively. The two PMLFs have the same stoichiometric mixture fraction and total hydrocarbon mole fraction in the fuel stream (X F,F =X C2H4,F +X C12H26,F = 0.260), resulting in nearly the same maximum temperature (T max ≈1800 K) and simple identification of the effects of doping. Importantly, any horizontal PMLF cross-section has a self-similar structure that can be modeled as an equivalent One-Dimensional Counterflow Flame (1D-CF) with vanishingly small strain rate (a). The cross-section at a Height Above the Burner (HAB) of 50 mm is characterized in terms of C 0 -C 18 gas species using capillary sampling followed by GC-MS analyses. Laser-Induced Emission Spectroscopy (LIES) quantifies the soot volume fraction (ƒ v ) profiles at HAB=25 and 50 mm where Elastic Laser Light Scattering (E-LLS) is performed to determine the a of the equivalent 1D-CFs and the profile of the E-LLS equivalent diameter ( d 6,3 ) of soot. The substitution of 1500 ppm of ethylene with 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethyl-heptane causes an increase of ≈1.5 in the concentrations of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fv. Concurrently, the measured d 6,3 doubles in the oxidizer stream, yet remains the same in the fuel stream, at HAB=50 mm. Instead, at HAB= 25 mm, the iso-dodecane doping does not affect the d 6,3 profile in either stream. The experimental results partially validate the chemical reactions and soot formation kinetic model developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and provide directions to further improve its predictions.

Iso-dodecane (2,2,4,6,6-Pentamethyl-Heptane)↗

NASA NTRS2014

Soot Superaggregates from Flaming Wildfires and Their Direct Radiative Forcing

Wildfires contribute significantly to global soot emissions, yet their aerosol formation mechanisms and resulting particle properties are poorly understood and parameterized in climate models. The conventional view holds that soot is formed via the cluster-dilute aggregation mechanism in wildfires and emitted as aggregates with fractal dimension D(sub f) approximately equals 1.8 mobility diameter D(sub m) (is) less than or equal to 1 micron, and aerodynamic diameter D(sub a) (is) less than or equal to 300 nm. Here we report the ubiquitous presence of soot superaggregates (SAs) in the outflow from a major wildfire in India. SAs are porous, low-density aggregates of cluster-dilute aggregates with characteristic D(sub f) approximately equals 2.6,D(sub m) (is) greater than 1 micron, and D(sub a) is less than or equal to 300 nm that form via the cluster-dense aggregation mechanism.We present additional observations of soot SAs in wildfire smoke-laden air masses over Northern California, New Mexico, and Mexico City. We estimate that SAs contribute, per unit optical depth, up to 35% less atmospheric warming than freshly-emitted (D(sub f) approximately equals 1.8) aggregates, and approximately equals 90% more warming than the volume-equivalent spherical soot particles simulated in climate models.

SAS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Detonation Soot: A New Class of Ice Nucleating Particle

Abstract Temperatures and pressures from high explosive detonations far exceed atmospheric conditions in typical combustion reactions, and consequently, detonation soot forms with physiochemical properties distinct from soot formed by combustion. In this study, samples of detonation soot from two high explosives, PBX 9502 and Composition B‐3, were analyzed. Ice nucleation experiments on soot collected after controlled detonations were conducted in the laboratory to probe immersion and contact mode freezing. Samples nucleated ice at temperatures warmer than commercially available nanodiamonds, which has a mean nucleation temperature of −20.7°C. Ice nucleation rate coefficients increase rapidly by two to three orders of magnitude below −20°C for every sample. Size‐selected 137 μm diameter particles produced during detonation in an ambient air atmosphere yield bimodal distributions of freezing temperature with primary and secondary nucleation modes centered at −20°C and −13°C, respectively. The presence of a secondary mode allows for enhanced ice nucleation rate coefficients (one to two orders of magnitude greater than samples without a secondary mode) at temperatures outside the influence of the primary mode (>−17°C). Given the observed onset nucleation temperatures of −9.2°C, our results imply that detonation soot of the type studied here would only need to reach an altitude of approximately 4 km to facilitate ice formation.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Investigating Kinetic Mechanisms of Soot Formation in Plasma Pyrolysis of Methane via Active Learning (Final Technical Report)

Plasma pyrolysis of methane is an effective route for zero-carbon hydrogen production. Yet, soot generated from pyrolysis of hydrocarbons is detrimental to the climate and human health. There is ample experimental and theoretical evidence that suggests polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the molecular precursors to soot particles. The reaction pathways of PAH formation are intricately dependent on a multitude of process parameters, whose kinetic mechanisms are not well-understood in plasma pyrolysis. This project aims to leverage advances in the kinetic modeling of soot formation in combustion, as well as in surrogate modeling and active learning, to systematically investigate the effects of process parameter on the kinetics of PAH formation in plasma pyrolysis of methane. To this end, we propose to use the PAH formation kinetics model developed by the PPPL/PU group based on the well-established ABF and HACA mechanisms, coupled with low-temperature plasma models. We will develop an active learning (AL) framework based on Bayesian optimization to systematically and data-efficiently explore the complex and multivariable parameter space of plasma pyrolysis in order to quantify the effects of plasma and feed parameters on the ABF and HACA kinetic pathways. AL is the branch of machine learning concerned with systematically querying samples from a system (experimental or computational) to train a data-driven model that maps design parameters to a performance criterion. We will use the data generated via AL to perform global sensitivity analysis, combined with uncertainty quantification, to elucidate the impact of different reaction pathways on minimizing formation of soot precursors. This study will result in an improved understanding of kinetics of PAH formation in plasma pyrolysis and can pave the way for more advanced mechanistic studies (e.g., soot nucleation mechanisms). Additionally, the findings will be useful for establishing practical strategies for increasing the pyrolysis efficiency and producing high-grade carbon for synthesis of nanomaterials.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2025

High Pressure Measurement of Soot Formation Applicable to Energetic Materials Fireballs

The addition of hydrogen and oxygen to a hydrocarbon fuel mixture has a significant effect on its sooting tendencies at high pressures. Understanding the mechanism behind the formation of soot is key to proper chemical modeling of fireballs. The objective of this research is to investigate formation rates and soot induction times of intermediary chemicals resulting from energetic material combustion. Three intermediaries, acetylene (C2H2), ethylene (C2H4), and propyne (C3H4-P) are studied. Here, a laser spectroscopy system was utilized to measure soot formation, induction time, and detail the time histories of soot experiments performed using the University of Central Florida high pressure shock tube facility.

Loye, Timothy [University of Central Florida, Orla↗

DOE OSTI2026

Persistent Elevated Soot Emissions Induced by Clustered Stochastic Preignition Events

Stochastic Preignition (SPI) is an abnormal combustion phenomenon that can occur in spark-ignition engines particularly under high-load operation. SPI is characterized by uncontrolled initiation of combustion prior to spark discharge, an abnormal combustion process that can lead to severe knock events and significant engine damage. SPI has been associated with fuel properties, lubricant composition, and engine design and operation. Here, in this work, a single-cylinder test engine with a dry-sump oil system was utilized to study the SPI response of E10 and E25 fuels with a range of Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP). An automated test procedure was employed, consisting of ten square-waved load profile segments, with each segment composed of 5 min of low-load operation followed by 25 min of sustained high-load operation. These tests were replicated across multiple days of testing including a lubricant triple flush between tests, and an online Fuel in Oil diagnostic measurement. Exhaust particulate emissions were continuously measured by an AVL microsoot sensor (MSS). Elevated particulate matter emissions were observed to occur concurrently with SPI events as blooms of soot. Particularly after clustered events (i.e., multiple SPI cycles occurring within 10 consecutive engine cycles), high soot emissions were observed to persist over several days of sequential operation despite daily lubricant changes, a complete warm-up procedure, and sustained low-load operation between test segments. This result implies that the particulate emissions trends may be dominated by deposit-based effects, where higher load operation is needed to alter deposition and formation processes. The observed soot blooms were also found to correspond to a reduction in the engine fueling and the fuel engine oil dilution rate despite the engine exhaust remaining at stoichiometric exhaust operation. These observations suggest that post-SPI events, pathways for lubricant migration and consumption into the combustion chamber may occur until these pathways are closed from deposit formation or ring dynamics during extended operation. These observed sooting propensity persisted with all fuels tests, but a linear correlation was observed between the summation of soot and particulate matter index (PMI) value for each fuel as well as SPI events, proving that PMI is a crucial fuel property for reducing SPI.

Splitter, Derek [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (OR↗

DOE OSTI2024

Chemical properties and single-particle mixing state of soot aerosol in Houston during the TRACER campaign

Abstract. A high-resolution soot particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SP-AMS) was used to selectively measure refractory black carbon (rBC) and its associated coating material using both the ensemble size-resolved mass spectral mode and the event trigger single particle (ETSP) mode in Houston, Texas, in summer 2022. This study was conducted as part of the Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program's TRacking Aerosol Convection interactions ExpeRiment (TRACER) field campaign. The study revealed an average (±1σ) rBC concentration of 103 ± 176 ng m−3. Additionally, the coatings on the BC particles were primarily composed of organics (59 %; 219 ± 260 ng m−3) and sulfate (26 %; 94 ± 55 ng m−3). Positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis of the ensemble mass spectra of BC-containing particles resolved four distinct types of soot aerosol, including an oxidized organic aerosol (OOABC,PMF) factor associated with processed primary organic aerosol, an inorganic sulfate factor (SO4,BC,PMF), an oxidized rBC factor (O-BCPMF), and a mixed mineral dust–biomass burning aerosol factor with significant contribution from potassium (K-BBBC,PMF). Additionally, K-means clustering analysis of the single-particle mass spectra identified eight different clusters, including soot particles enriched in hydrocarbon-like organic aerosol (HOABC,ETSP), sulfate (SO4,BC,ETSP), two types of rBC, OOA (OOABC,ETSP), chloride (ClBC,ETSP), and nitrate (NO3,BC,ETSP). The single-particle measurements demonstrate substantial variation in BC coating thickness with coating-to-rBC mass ratios ranging from 0.1 to 100. The mixing state index (χ), which denotes the degree of homogeneity of the soot aerosol, varied from 4 % to 94 % with a median of 40 %, indicating that the aerosol population lies in between internal and external mixing but has large temporal and source type variability. In addition, a significant fraction of BC-containing particles, a majority enriched with oxidized organics and sulfate, exhibit sufficiently high κ values and diameters conducive to activation as cloud nuclei under atmospherically relevant supersaturation conditions. This finding bears significance in comprehending the aging processes of rBC-containing particles and their activation into cloud droplets. Our analysis highlights the complex nature of soot aerosol and underscores the need to comprehend its variability across different environments for accurate assessment of climate change.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

NASA NTRS1972

Soot formation in the methane oxygen and methane/oxygen/hydrogen flame

The feasibility of using methane, recovered from carbon dioxide by the Sabatier-Senderens reaction, was investigated as a fuel in a reaction control engine. A problem to be avoided is the emission of soot particles. It is thought that such particles would remain in the environment of the spacecraft and, thereby, adversely affect optical sightings and possibly have an effect upon communications. The initial studies were of a practical nature. The first was the influence of the spatial arrangement of the fuel and oxygen injectors on soot formation. In the second study, inhibition of soot formation was considered. Considering the given situation, it was impractical to use an additive. However, since methanol combustion does not produce soot, and methanol can be produced from methane in situ, the possibility that methanol could act as an inhibitor was studied. In the third study, since these are restartable engines, the effect of shutdown on the rapidity of soot formation was studied.

Dauerman, L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Soot formation in pyrolysis of acetylene, allene and 1,3-butadiene

The formation of soot behind reflected shock waves in argon-diluted mixtures of acetylene, allene, and 1,3-butadiene was investigated by monitoring the attenuation of a laser beam in both the visible (632.8 nm) and the infrared (3.39 microns) regions of the spectrum. The experiments utilized temperatures ranging from 1500-3100 K, reflected shock pressures of 0.3-7.0 bar, and total carbon atom concentrations of 2-20 x 10 to the 17th atoms/cu cm. A bell-shaped dependence of soot yield on temperature was observed during the pyrolysis of all three compounds, which was similar to that previously found for toluene. For acetylene, the decrese in total pressure was found to shift the soot bell to higher temperatures with a significant increase in the maximum soot yield. A computer simulation for acetylene pyrolysis suggested that the reactions between C2H3, C4H3, and C4H4 may be those which lead to the formation of aromatic structures. In addition, it was found that soot is formed much faster and in much larger quantities from allene than from 1,3-butadiene.

Frenklach, M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Shock tube study of the fuel structure effects on the chemical kinetic mechanisms responsible for soot formation, part 2

Soot formation in oxidation of allene, 1,3-butadiene, vinylacetylene and chlorobenzene and in pyrolysis of ethylene, vinylacetylene, 1-butene, chlorobenzene, acetylen-hydrogen, benzene-acetylene, benzene-butadiene and chlorobenzene-acetylene argon-diluted mixtures was studied behind reflected shock waves. The results are rationalized within the framework of the conceptual models. It is shown that vinylacetylene is much less sooty than allene, which indicates that conjugation by itself is not a sufficient factor for determining the sooting tendency of a molecule. Structural reactivity in the context of the chemical kinetics is the dominant factor in soot formation. Detailed chemical kinetic modeling of soot formation in pyrolysis of acetylene is reported. The main mass growth was found to proceed through a single dominant route composed of conventional radical reactions. The practically irreversible formation reactions of the fused polycyclic aromatics and the overshoot by hydrogen atom over its equilibrium concentration are the g-driving kinetic forces for soot formation.

Frenklach, M.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Optical and probe determination of soot concentrations in a model gas turbine combustor

An experimental program was conducted to track the variation in soot loading in a generic gas turbine combustor. The burner is a 12.7-cm dia cylindrical device consisting of six sheet-metal louvers. Determination of soot loading along the burner length is achieved by measurement at the exit of the combustor and then at upstream stations by sequential removal of liner louvers to shorten burner length. Alteration of the flow field approaching and within the shortened burners is minimized by bypassing flow in order to maintain a constant linear pressure drop. The burner exhaust flow is sampled at the burner centerline to determine soot mass concentration and smoke number. Characteristic particle size and number density, transmissivity of the exhaust flow, and local radiation from luminous soot particles in the exhaust are determined by optical techniques. Four test fuels are burned at three fuel-air ratios to determine fuel chemical property and flow temperature influences. Particulate concentration data indicate a strong oxidation mechanism in the combustor secondary zone, though the oxidation is significantly affected by flow temperature. Soot production is directly related to fuel smoke point.

Eckerle, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Shock-tube pyrolysis of chlorinated hydrocarbons - Formation of soot

Soot formation in pyrolysis of chlorinated methanes, their mixtures with methane, and chlorinated ethylenes were studied behind reflected shock waves by monitoring the attenuation of an He-Ne laser beam. An additional single-pulse shock-tube study was conducted for the pyrolysis of methane, methyl chloride, and dichloromethane. The experiments were performed at temperatures 1300-3000 K, pressures of 0.4-3.6 bar, and total carbon atom concentrations of 1-5 x 10 to the 17th atoms cu cm. The amounts of soot produced in the pyrolysis of chlorinated hydrocarbons are larger than that of their nonchlorinated counterparts. The sooting behavior and product distribution can be generally explained in terms of chlorine-catalyzed chemical reaction mechanisms. The pathway to soot from chlorinated methanes and ethylenes with high H:Cl ratio proceeds via the formation of C2H, C2H2, and C2H3 species. For chlorinated hydrocarbons with low H:Cl ratio, the formation of C2 and its contribution to soot formation at high temperatures becomes significant. There is evidence for the importance of CHCl radical and its reactions in the pyrolysis of dichloromethane.

Frenklach, M.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Optical measurements of soot and temperature profiles in premixed propane-oxygen flames

Two laser diagnostic techniques were used to measure soot volume fractions, number densities and soot particle radii in premixed propane/oxygen flat flames. The two techniques used were two wavelength extinction, using 514.5 nm to 632.8 nm and 457.9 nm to 632.8 nm wavelength combinations, and extinction/scattering using 514.5 nm light. The flames wre fuel-rich (equivalence ratios from 2.1 to 2.8) and had cold gas velocities varying from 3.4 to 5.5 cm/s. Measurements were made at various heights above the sintered-bronze, water-cooled flat flame burner with the equivalence ratio and cold gas velocity fixed. Also, measurements were made at a fixed height above the burner and fixed cold gas velocity while varying the equivalence ratio. Both laser techniques are based on the same underlying assumptions of particle size distribution and soot optical properties. Full Mie theory was used to determine the extinction coefficients K sub ext, and the scattering efficiencies, Q sub vv. Temperature measurements in the flames were made using infrared radiometry. Good agreement between the two techniques in terms of soot particle radii, number density and volume fraction was found for intensity ratios (I/I sub o) between 0.1 and 0.8. For intensity ratios higher or lower than this range, the differences in extinction coefficients at the wavelengths chosen for the two-wavelength method are too small to give accurate results for comparing particle radii and number densities. However, when comparing only soot volume fractions, the agreement between the two techniques continued to be good for intensity ratios up to 0.95.

Lyons, Valerie J.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Effect of alcohol addition on shock-initiated formation of soot from benzene

Soot formation in benzene-methanol and benzene-ethanol argon-diluted mixtures was studied behind reflected shock waves by monitoring the attenuation of an He-Ne laser beam. The experiments were performed at temperatures 1580-2250 K, pressures 2.0-3.0 bar, and total carbon atom concentrations (2.0-2.7) x 10 to the 17th atoms/cu cm. The results obtained indicate that the addition of alcohol suppresses the formation of soot from benzene at all temperatures, and that the reduction in soot yields is increased with the amount of alcohol added. The analysis of the results indicates that the suppression effect is probably due to the oxidation of soot and soot precursors by OH and the removal of hydrogen atoms by alcohol and water molecules.

Frenklach, Michael↗

NASA NTRS1988

Optical measurements of soot and temperature profiles in premixed propane-oxygen flames

Two laser diagnostic techniques were used to measure soot volume fractions, number densities and soot particle radii in premixed propane/oxygen flat flames. The two techniques used were two wavelength extinction, using 514.5 nm to 632.8 nm and 457.9 nm to 632.8 nm wavelength combinations, and extinction/scattering using 514.5 nm light. The flames were fuel-rich (equivalence ratios from 2.1 to 2.8) and had cold gas velocities varying from 3.4 to 5.5 cm/s. Measurements were made at various heights above the sintered-bronze, water-cooled flat flame burner with the equivalence ratio and cold gas velocity fixed. Also, measurements were made at a fixed height above the burner and fixed cold gas velocity while varying the equivalence ratio. Both laser techniques are based on the same underlying assumptions of particle size distribution and soot optical properties. Full Mie theory was used to determine the extinction coefficients K sub ext, and the scattering efficiencies, Q sub vv. Temperature measurements in the flames were made using infrared radiometry. Good agreement between the two techniques in terms of soot particle radii, number density and volume fraction was found for intensity ratios (I/I sub o) between 0.1 and 0.8. For intensity ratios higher or lower than this range, the differences in extinction coefficients at the wavelengths chosen for the two-wavelength method are too small to give accurate results for comparing particle radii and number densities. However, when comparing only soot volume fractions, the agreement between the two techniques continued to be good for intensity ratios up to 0.95.

Lyons, V. J.↗