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Tracer-free, non-intrusive, time- and space-resolved temperature and scalar measurements

Lead Research Organisation: University of Oxford
Department Name: Engineering Science

Abstract

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
 
Description During this award we have developed our transportable LIGS based instrument, "PILOT", to the point where it can be deployed at partner facilities. We have collected data at the Cardiff University GTRC and on Cambridge University's pressurised burner rig. Publications have been written and are being written in order to explain the viability of LIGS in these environments. We have learned that the technique is very effective for working in pressurised systems, and have had success exciting gratings both electrostrictively as well as thermally using water vapour and soot particles as absorbers. We have not added any extra species to any of these flows to enable the measurements, which is exactly the "tracer-free" approach we set out to demonstrate. The way that the LIGS signal is generated from an "extended point" complicated our initial analysis attempts but we have developed solutions that are being written up for publication. Finally, we have collected signals using a tuneable mid-IR pump laser which is demonstrating the merits of working with such wavelengths for addressing water vapour to generate thermal-LIGS signals, even at the water vapour concentration levels seen in atmospheric conditions.
Exploitation Route The PILOT instrument will be used in further projects - we are discussing this with other research groups and with industrial partners.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Energy

Environment
 
Title IR-LIGS dataset 
Description A set of data have been collected employing direct energy absorption in water molecules using shortwave infrared laser light 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2024 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact This dataset allows us to demonstrate the viability of SWIR LIGS and evaluate its merits for gas sensing with ruggedised industrial lasers available at these wavelengths. At least one publication is planned, which will include making the data available publicly. 
 
Title LIGS data from Cambridge pressurised burner 
Description This dataset includes LIGS signals collected as the LIGS measurement volume is moved axially through a flat flame. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact This dataset will be used to help understand how LIGS signals from inhomogeneous systems should be interpreted 
 
Title LIGS dataset from GTRC 
Description Electrostrictive and thermal LIGS signals have been collected from the Gas Turbine Research Centre run by Cardiff University. Several conditions were tested, including a range of non-combusting temperatures and pressures and some combustion cases. Measurements were also made at several locations within the combustor. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact This dataset has taught us about what conditions can be accessed by the LIGS technique, and where it may be feasible to measure within the combustor. These observations are shaping the future direction of this project and enabling us to identify areas that need further development to deliver on the project's goals. 
 
Title LIGS dataset from GTRC staged combustor 
Description LIGS data collected at the GTRC using their novel staged combustor and for different fuelling strategies. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2023 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact This dataset allows us to a) demonstrate the viability of the GTRC's new staged combustor configuration and b) to show how the LIGS technique performs in such conditions. Publication(s) are being written currently.