Abstract

Two laser-based diagnostic methods, resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), were used for concentration measurements of seven species, O, H, OH, CH, CO, HCO and CH₃, in low pressure methane/oxygen, ethylene/oxygen and ethane/oxygen premixed hydrocarbon flames. For the well-understood methane/oxygen flame, measured density profiles for these seven species were in excellent agreement with flame modeling calculations. This agreement encourages confidence in the experimental procedures and current kinetic modes of C₁ chemistry. Indeed, the methane/oxygen flame provides an accurate standard of comparison by which relative density profiles, measured for other hydrocarbon flames, may be placed on an absolute density scale. This approach was used for measurements for the ethylene/oxygen and ethane/oxygen flames.

© 1991 Optical Society of America