Showing papers by "Steven G. Buckley published in 2001"

Temporal Gating for the Optimization of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Detection and Analysis of Toxic Metals

Abstract: Optimal temporal gating for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis was investigated for a select group of toxic metals, namely the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) metals arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury. The differing rates of decay between the continuum plasma emission and the atomic emission were used as a means to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio of the atomic emission lines for these six metal species. Detection windows were investigated corresponding to delay times from 2 to 50 μs following the plasma-initiating laser pulse. For the current experimental conditions, it is concluded that the relatively short delay time of 12 μs is optimal for the detection of arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, and mercury, while a longer delay time of 50 μs is optimal for the detection of chromium and lead. The reduced atomic emission intensity at relatively long delay times is compensated for by the use of long detector gate widths. Estimated detection limits are reporte...

Experimental Measurements of the Thermal Conductivity of Ash Deposits: Part 2. Effects of Sintering and Deposit Microstructure

Abstract: This paper describes an experimental study that examines the influence of sintering and microstructure on ash deposit thermal conductivity. The measurements are made using a technique developed to make in situ, time-resolved measurements of the effective thermal conductivity of ash deposits formed under conditions that closely replicate those found in the convective pass of a commercial boiler. The technique is designed to minimize the disturbance of the natural deposit microstructure. The initial stages of sintering and densification are accompanied by an increase in deposit thermal conductivity. Subsequent sintering continues to densify the deposit, but has little effect on deposit thermal conductivity. SEM analyses indicate that sintering creates a layered deposit structure with a relatively unsintered innermost layer. We hypothesize that this unsintered layer largely determines the overall deposit thermal conductivity. A theoretical model that treats a deposit as a two-layered material predicts the observed trends in thermal conductivity.

Experimental measurements of the thermal conductivity of ash deposits: Part 1. Measurement technique

Abstract: This paper describes a technique developed to make in situ, time-resolved measurements of the effective thermal conductivity of ash deposits formed under conditions that closely replicate those found in the convective pass of a commercial boiler. Since ash deposit thermal conductivity is thought to be strongly dependent on deposit microstructure, the technique is designed to minimize the disturbance of the natural deposit microstructure. Traditional techniques for measuring deposit thermal conductivity generally do not preserve the sample microstructure. Experiments are described that demonstrate the technique, quantify the experimental uncertainty, and determine the thermal conductivity of highly porous, unsintered deposits. The average measured thermal conductivity of loose, unsintered deposits is 0.14 ± 0.03 W m-1 K-1, approximately midway between rational theoretical limits for deposit thermal conductivity.

Digital spatial wavelength domain multiplexing (DSWDM) using a prism-grating-prism (PGP) and a CMOS imager: implementation and initial testing

Abstract: A CMOS imager-based spectrometer is used to interrogate a network containing a large number of Bragg grating sensors on multiple fibers as part of a proprietary structural health monitoring system. The spectrometer uses a Prism-Grating-Prism (PGP) to spectrally separate serially multiplexed Bragg reflections on a single fiber. As a result, each Bragg grating produces a discrete spot on the CMOS imager that shifts horizontally as the Bragg grating experiences changes in strain or temperature. The reflected wavelength of the Bragg grating can be determined by finding the center of the spot produced. The use of a random addressing CMOS imager enables a flexible sampling rate. Some fibers can be interrogated at a high sampling rate while others can be interrogated at a lower sampling rate. However, the use of a CMOS camera brings several specific problems in terms of signal processing. These include a logarithmic pixel response, a low signal-to-noise ratio, the long pixel time constant, obtaining sufficient process priority for the control program, and proper selection of the window of interest. In this paper we investigate computer algorithms and hardware solutions to address these problems. We also present experimental data to validate these solutions including calibration data and initial field-testing data with 24 sensors on 4 fibers.