Assessment of interferences to nonlinear two-line atomic fluorescence (NTLAF) in sooty flames

Nonlinear excitation regime two-line atomic fluorescence (NTLAF) is a laser-based thermometry technique that has application in turbulent flames with soot. However, no assessment of the various interferences from soot or its precursors in flames with high soot loadings on the technique is available. To examine these issues, both on- and off-wavelength NTLAF measurements are presented and compared for laminar nonpremixed ethylene-air flames. Laser-induced incandescence (LII) measurements were used to determine the corresponding soot concentration and location in the investigated flames. The measurements indicate that interferences, such as spurious scattering and laser-induced incandescence from soot, are not significant for the present set of flame conditions. However, interferences from soot precursors, predominantly condensed species (CS) and perhaps polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), can be significant. Potential detection schemes to correct or circumvent these interference issues are also presented. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.