It is therefore, desired to provide a method for detecting multiple gas species in a combustion operation and to provide data in a real-time manner for controlling important process variables. Further, the time inherently involved in isolating and cooling the gas sample results in a time lag, which prevents real time in-situ analysis. Such slip stream analyses require that the gas sample be cooled, possibly resulting in changes in the gas composition. A variety of prior art techniques take off a slip stream of the gas for analysis. This inability to detect and analyze results in an inability to precisely control, resulting in waste of energy and materials and needless pollution.
Prior methods do not permit real-time in situ detection and analysis of the various gas species present in a heat treating furnace. Once these data are obtainable, real time control of the process becomes feasible.
The present invention relates to a device for sensing multiple gas species to provide real-time in situ determination of the operation of important processes, including heat treating furnaces. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one diatomic gas being sensed is a mixture comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen and nitrogen. The method of claim 11 wherein the argon ion laser has a power of at least about 1 watt.ġ4. The method of claim 11 wherein the argon ion laser emits lights at a wavelength of 514.5 nm.ġ3. The method of claim 1 wherein the monochromatic light source is an argon ion laser.ġ2. The method of claim 9 wherein the argon ion laser has a power of at least about 1 watt.ġ1. The method of claim 8 wherein the argon ion laser emits lights at a wavelength of 514.5 nm.ġ0.
The method of claim 4 wherein the monochromatic light source is an argon ion laser.ĩ. The method of claim 6 wherein the scattered beam is collected proximate to the window in a second fiber optic cable.Ĩ. The method of claim 4 wherein the incident beam is brought proximate to the window in a first fiber optic cable.ħ. The method of claim 4 wherein the at least one diatomic gas being sensed is a mixture comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen and nitrogen.Ħ. The method of claim 1 wherein the temperature at the focal point of the incident beam is in excess of 1000° F.ĥ. The method of claim 2 wherein the scattered beam is collected proximate to the window in a second fiber optic cable.Ĥ. The method of claim 1 wherein the incident beam is brought proximate to the window in a first fiber optic cable.ģ. Ĭ) collecting a scattered light beam from the flow chamber passing external to the flow chamber through the window andĭ) analyzing the intensity of the collected scattered beam in at least one characteristic frequency for each of the at least one diatomic gases.Ģ. A method for sensing at least one diatomic gas in a flow chamber, comprising the steps of:Ī) providing the flow chamber with a window transparent to light in the visible spectrum ī) focusing an incident beam from a monochromatic light source on the gas at a focal point internal to the flow chamber through the window, wherein a temperature of the gas measured at the focal point is in excess of 250° F.