a laser interferometric study of electric field effects on

119
Eastern Illinois University e Keep Masters eses Student eses & Publications 1982 A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on Methane-Oxygen Flame Plasmas Mark D. Prairie Eastern Illinois University is research is a product of the graduate program in Chemistry at Eastern Illinois University. Find out more about the program. is is brought to you for free and open access by the Student eses & Publications at e Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters eses by an authorized administrator of e Keep. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Recommended Citation Prairie, Mark D., "A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on Methane-Oxygen Flame Plasmas" (1982). Masters eses. 2917. hps://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/2917

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Page 1: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

Eastern Illinois UniversityThe Keep

Masters Theses Student Theses & Publications

1982

A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric FieldEffects on Methane-Oxygen Flame PlasmasMark D. PrairieEastern Illinois UniversityThis research is a product of the graduate program in Chemistry at Eastern Illinois University. Find out moreabout the program.

This is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Theses & Publications at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Thesesby an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact [email protected].

Recommended CitationPrairie, Mark D., "A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on Methane-Oxygen Flame Plasmas" (1982). Masters Theses.2917.https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/2917

Page 2: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

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SUBJECT: Permission to reproduce theses.

The University Library is receiving a number of requests from other

institutions asking permission to reproduce dissertations for inclusion in their library holdings. Although no copyright laws are involved, we

feel that professional courtesy demands that permission be obtained

from the author before we allow theses to be copied.

Please sign one of the following statements:

Booth Library of Eastern Illinois University has my permission to lend

my thesis to a reputable college or university for the purpose of copying it for inclusion in that institution's library or research holdings.

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Page 3: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

A LASER INTERFEROMETRIC STUDY OF ELECTRIC FIELD

EFFECTS ON METHANE-OXYGEN FLAME PLASMAS (TITLE)

BY

Mark D. Prairie

THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE DEGREE OF

Master of Science in Chemistry

IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL, EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS

---) / 1982 '

( YEAR · ...___-

I HEREBY RECOMMEND THIS THESIS BE ACCEPTED AS FULFILLING

THIS PART OF THE GRADUATE DEGREE CITED ABOVE

DATE ADVISER

J/-11-¥L. DATE COMMITTI'f MEMBER

//-/?· /J-DATE r$MMITTEE MEMBER

//- /J-,?2-DATE DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON

Page 4: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

A LASER INTERFEROMETRIC STUDY OF ELECTRIC

FIELD EFFECTS ON METHANE-OXYGEN FLAME PLASMAS

By

Mark D . Prairie

B.S. in Chemistry, May, 1981

Eastern I l l inois University

Charl eston, I l l inois

Submitted in

part ial ful fi l lment of the requirements

for the degree of Master of Science in Chemistry

at the Graduate School of Eastern I llinois University

Charleston, I l l inois

1982

423565

Page 5: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

ABSTRACT

Title of Thesis: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects

on Methane-Oxygen Flame Plasmas

Mark D . Prairie, Master of Science 1982

Thes i s Director : Dr . Giles L. Henderson

A laser interferometer is developed to study the refractive index

field , aerodynamic structure , and three dimensional temperature profile

of a methane-oxygen flame system under the influence of D . C .. electric

fiel ds . A combined graphical -numerical method is used to transform the

observed interference patterns into radial temperature distributions .

The results indicate that the electric field exerts a marked influence

on the flame stability, geometry, and charged particle flow. Experimental

evidence shows that these effects are most apparent under fuel rich con­

ditions . It is suggested an electric field may change the concentration

gradients of reacting species, leading to an altered course of fuel py­

rolysis. The possibility of new electron-molecule reactions is also

examined.

i

Page 6: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

To my mother and father

who've put more than twenty-three years of hard

work into me and my projects, and they deserve

to share in my accomplishment s .

It is terrifying to think how much research i s needed

to determine the truth of even the most unimportant fact.

-Stendahl

1)

Page 7: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to Or . Giles L.

Henderson for h i s many helpful discussions and valuable sugge stions,

but above all, for an enthusiastic att itude in his approach to this wor k .

I would also like to thank Dr . Edward 0. Sherman whose continued

help and interest in i t s pr0gress has been a great encouragement .

I am indebted to Dr . David H . Buchanan and Matthew Madigan for the

k ind use of their cameras .

iii

Page 8: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract Dedication Acknowledgements List of Figures List of Plates List of Tables

Introduction

Electric Field Effects on Flames Flame Reactions Optical Theory

Hydrodynamical Cosine Law

Experimental

The Optical System

Data Analysis

Analogy

Theory of Fringe Interpretation Method of Analysis Applications . . . .

Results

Flame Mixture and Opt ical Phase Shift D ifferential Effects of Transverse Electric Fields Effects of Longitudinal Electric Fields Effects of "Spraying Charge" Flame Temperature Di stribution

Discussion

Flam� Mixture and Optical Phase Shift Differential Effects of Transverse Electric Fields Effects of Longitudinal Electric Fields Effects of "Spraying Charge" . . . .

Effects of Electric Fields on Temperature Profiles

iv

Page

i 1 1

i i i v

vii v i i i

] 6

1 1 12 14

18

32 42 43

55 57 62 66 66

72 72 78 80 82

Page 9: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

Figure

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

LIST OF F IGURES

Hydrodynamical analogy of the nature of fringe

formation . . . . .

Fringes produced by reflection from the surface

of a p l ane para l le l plate . . . .

Calculat ion of path difference in fringes

The optical system . A conventional para l l e l -beam

schl i �ren system, set up for interferometry

The method of spati a l fi ltering . . . . . .

The D . C . power suppl y with variab l e autotransformer

The transverse field electrode assembly .

The longitudinal field e lectrode assembly

The e lectrode assemb l y used to "spray charge"

The method of superimposit ion by front and back

reflection

1 1 The conjugate optical system; a superimposition of

two image forming �rocesses .

12 The fringe pattern due to htgh-speed air flow past

a wedge-shaped airfoil (schemat ic); an infinite

13

14

fringe interf erogram

Wedge-shaped airfoi l ; a finite fringe interferogram

An optical ray trave l l ing ·in the Z direction

through a radially symmetric phase object

1 5 The cross section of a rad ia l ly symmetric phase

object divided into discrete ann u l ar e l ement s of

width 6 r . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

v

Page

1 3

15

1 5

19

21

24

25

26

26

29

3 1

36

36

38

39

Page 10: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

16 The fringe order number distr ibut ion , N (x) , as a

function of radial flame distance . .

17 Relationship between finite and infinite fringe

interf erograms and the wavefront topography .

18 The flame temperature distribution; variation of

temperature , T (K) , with radial flame d i stance at

an elevation of 28.2 millimeters

19 Paths taken by the ionized species and the net wind

movement induced in the flame . . . . . .

20 Flow pattern observed when ion mobi l it ies and

e lectrode distances are equal . . . . . .

2 1 Flow pattern observed due t o asymmetry o f electrodes

9r one larger charge carrier

vi

46

56

71

74

81

81

Page 11: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

Plate

1

LIST OF PLATES

Straight and equidistant interference fringes produced by

reflection off the planar surfaces of a wedge-shaped

plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2 Curved interference fringes caused by the optical

3 4

5

6

7

aberrations inherent in the p l ate . .

Interferogram of a pure methane d iffusion fl ame

Interferogram of a pre-mixed fuel rich methane-oxygen

flame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interferogram of a stoichiometric composition pre-mixed

methane-oxygen flame . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interferogram of a pure methane diffusion flame subjected

to a 500 volt/cm D . C . transverse electric field . . . . .

Interferogram of a methane diffusion flame with no applied

field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8 Interferogram of a methane diffusion flame under the

influence of a 500 volt/cm D . C . longitudinal electric

field; top electrode negative .

9 Interferogram of a methane diffusion flame under the

influence of a 500 volt/cm D . C . longitudinal electric

field; top electrode positive .

10 Interf erogram of a methane diffusion flame under the

influence of a 500 volt/cm D . C . electric fjeld; ring

e lectrode positive

1 1 Interferogram o f a methane diffusion flame under the influence

Page

33

34 58

59

60

61

63

64

65

67

of a 500 volt/cm D . C . electric field; ring electrode negative 68

vii

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LIST OF TABLES

Table

1 Major reactions involved in the oxidation of methane

2 Photographic developing parameters . . . .

3 Burnt gas composit ion for a methane-oxygen stoichio-

4

s

metric flame mixture;· included are their refractive

indexes, n , and polar i z ib i l it ies, a, needed to cal­o

culate molar refractivities, RM

RM values for simple and complex test spaces

RM values for simple and complex flame exhaust gases

6 Variation of temperature with radial flame distance,

at an e l evat ion of 28 . 2 m i l l imeters, calculated by

Program ABEL from the refractive index distribution

v i i i

Page

6

28

50

51

52

70

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INTRODUCTION

Electric Field Effects on Flames

The effects produced on flames by fields between el ectrodes at high

potentials are quite spectacular and were observed early on. Despite

the fact that the phenomenon was observed centuries ago by Franklin 1 and

2 Watson , most of the details of the mechanism which causes these effects

are not fully understood . In 1801, Volta3 showed that the leaves of a

gold- leaf electroscope diverge when burning charcoal is brought in con-

tact with the knob . Many researches f o l l owed for the purpose of measuring

the electrical conduct ivity of f lames. It was found that the !!ases which

emerge from the flame r�re conductive for some tjme afterward and further-

more , that this property of conduction can be lessened or removed by

passing the gases through an electric field of appropriate strength.

4 I n 1 8 14 , Brande recorded that "when the flame of a candle is placed

between two surfaces of opposite electrical states, the negative surface

becomes more heated . . . " and " . the smoke and flame of the candle

were visibly attracted towards it .11

The striking effects which electric fields exert on flames have been

observed and reported on in the literature for a very long t i me; the sub­

ject has been reviewed at some length by Lawton and Weinberg. 5

Many of the early workers supposed that these phenomena were caused

by chemical effects induced by transposing the charge carriers by the

the action of the electric fields . 6 In 1 910, Thomson suggested that

combustion is partly concerned with el ectrons . The main point of con-

l

Page 14: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

2

tention since has been whether these e ffects indicate that the ions and

e lectrons in the reaction zone of a flame facilitate an exchange of

energy between the reacting species like a catalyst or simply give rise

to macroscop ic forces which can a l ter the shape or stabi lity.

of the flame .

The details are not yet fully understood . The concept of the

e lectric wind which is often associated with Chattock7 was invoked by

8 9 . 10 1 1 Calcote, Calcote and Pease, Lawton and Weinberg, Payne and Weinberg,

and others12 to explain the effect upon flame geometry, spec ifically the

attraction of the f l ame towards the negative electrode . The reasoning

runs as f o l l ows. Ions, \�hi ch are now known to be produced by chemical

reactions between neutral species, 13 are accelerated by the field toward

the negative electrode . At the end of a mean free path they collide witl1

various neutral species giving up a portion of their momentum to the

mo lecules with which they collide . Since the mean free path is small

and since the ions are reaccelerated by the field after each co l l ision,

each ion is responsib le for causing a large number of neutra ls to be dis-

p laced toward the cathod e . Thus, the flame which i s comprised o f neutral

species emitting visible radiation is caused to deflect toward the

cathode . The momentum transfer between the el ectrons and the neutral

gas molecules is negligib le because the electrons are of low mass and

also have low velocity while they are in the f l ame region. Guenault and

14 Wheeler found that the growth of a flame initiated between two condcn-

ser pl ates was greatly influenced by an electric field . They suggested

at the time (193 1 ) that jonic body forces may be the cause and sub-

sequently ( 1 932) studied f lame propagation in vertical tubes in an

attempt to resolve the matte r . They concluded from observations of

changes in flame shape and vel ocity of propngatfon that flame arrest or

retardation by the electrjc field could be accounted for in terms of

Page 15: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

3

wind effects alone. These winds caused flame distortions and movement

towards the cathode onl y . I t was concluded that the gas flow accounts

for any observations, and it was not necessary to postulate "chemical"

effects of ions in order to account for the experimental obs.ervations.

The suggestion has been put forth that the effects may not be purely

aerodynamic and that as a consequence of the body force , there is a

change in the concentration of reacting neutral specjes and the com-

b . h . . 1 d 15 ust1on c em1stry is a tere . That the electric field might directly

9 ] 6-affect the fl ame chemistry has been referred to by a number of workers . '

1 7 K . Sridhar !ya, i n 1974 , found that the effect of an e l ectric field on

a one-dimensional flame can be analyzed in terms of a body force or

ionic wind, and this body force can change the chemical kinetics. The

ionic wind a l ters the stream velocity, which changes the rates of reac-

tion and concentrations of free radicals and stable molecules, bringing

about changes in the ion generation rate . The value of the ion generation

rate measured at current saturation conditions is not the same as the

rate with no applied field.

Effects such as change in co lor , species concentrations , and extiRc-

tion l imits are not eas i ly explained by the electric wind mechanism .

18 Nakamura observed that emission spectra profiles of CH, OH , and c2 in

a propane-air diffus ion flame were influenced differently by a longi­

tudinal fie l d . Place and Weinberg 19 recorded an increase in Oil emission

intensity, and a reduction in CI!, c2 and so l id particle emission in the

pyro lysis zone of an opposed jct diffusion flame, where the field wns

appl ied normal to the flame sheet. Rezy and Heinsohn20 observed c. large

scale increase in the "apparent fl ame strength': of opposed jet di ffusion

flames and deduced that an increase in the maximum vol umetric heat release

Page 16: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

4

d H . h 115 . d h d h . rate occurre . einso n et a 1nterprete sue ata as a c ange in

the overall order of reaction, which indicates changes in the reaction

mechanism.

A manifestation of an increased rate of chemical reaction might be

an increase in the laminar-burning velocity. German and Russian workers

in the 1920's reported that an electric field can speed up , slow down,

or completely extinguish a flame under apparently similar conditions.

2 1 22 . Malinowski et al. ' found the propagation of hydrogen-air flames at

one atm . to be completely suppressed by a D . C . electric field and the

speed of hydrocarbon flames reduced by fields of frequencies up to about

1 0 MHz .

The effect of an electric field on the speed of propagation of a

fl f . b d . d b F 1 d C · 16 · ame ront in a tu e was stu 1e y ow er an orrigan using

natural gas (CH4) and air at 1 atm . in a 1 meter long glass tube of S cm

diameter . The average propagation ve locit�.' rose by up to 50% and appeared

to approach saturation . It is unfortunate that in the foregoing invest i -

gations n o direct visual observations of the flame could be made whi l e

under the influence of the field.

23 Jaggers and von Engel have measured flame propagation velocities

in D . C . , A . C . , and H.F. electric fields, reporting an increase in burning

velocity due to the field, but this has not been confirmed in subsequent

k 24 ,25 wor .

The effects of electric fields on flames have been studied in recent

years for providing additional parameters for the design and control of

flame systems . The factor responsible for the effects is the selective

action of electric fields on flame ions, leading to significant altera-

. . fl 1 . . 19,20 ,26-29 8 d 8 . . 30,31 tion-s 1n ame um1nos1ty, geometry, spee , extinct ion,

32 and temperatur e . The motion of flame ions induced by electric fields

Page 17: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

·5

has also heen observed to result in increased heat-transfer rate s . 33

Such studies have led to the development of electrical control of aero-

1 2 6 . 1 d f 1 b 19 • 34 1 . d b 3 5 so s, particu ates an ame car on, so i prop e l lant urning,

. • J . • 1 9 , 30 d . . 36 extinct1on imits, an noise generation.

Clear l y , a number of questions must be answered before a proper

understanding of the flame-electric field interaction can be developed.

There have been results for which the ionic wind theory does not appear

sufficient to explain the observed phenomena . There i s some suggestion

that changes in the combustion chemistry may be invo lved. The mechanism

for the change is not certain. It may involve

(1) velocities of ions and e lectrons becoming sufficiently high,

causing initiation of new reaction steps, or

(2) concentration profiles being altered by momentum transfer due

to ionic winds.

The obj ective of this study is to provide evidence for the mechanism

of such field effects. A detailed structural study of a flame can be

made , even in the presence of an e lectric field, by utilizing well-

establ ished optical techniques for determination of refractive index

changes and subsequently flame temperature s . The interferometric system

used will give a direct optical record of the thermal flux which may not

be evident from the visible emission of excited tr�nsient metastab le

species in the flame gase s .

Structural studies37•38 have been carried out in the past through

an analysis of the thermo-aerodynamic data of the system . ThC' thermal

structures were obtained with the help of inert micron ized particles trac-

39· ing the gaseous flow streams. Dayal and Pandya have made interferometric

studies of counterflow diffusion flames under the influence of trans,·crse

e l ectric fields .

Page 18: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

6

Flame React ions

This study wi l l eventual ly be concerned with the chemica l processes,

specifically the ion generation , involved in combustion. Ariy subsequent

observations made must be framed within the scope of the flame reactions

which occur .

The oxidation process of methane, the simplest hydrocarbon , has been

extensively studied. Yet, even some of the reaction processes presented

are of a speculative nature.

The complete reaction sequence40 is surrunarized in Table 1 .

Table 1. Major reactions involved in the oxidation of methane.

Initiation

�rimary Chain

(non-branching)

Degenerate branching reaction

Reaction producing further primary chains

Induced oxidat ion of Cl 120 (non-branching)

Terminal.ion

CII4 + 02 ____,.. c113 + 1102

CJI3 + 02 � CJI20 + OH

Oil + CJ I4 � 1120 + Cl!3

c112o + 0 �·CHO 2 + 1102

1102 + CH4 --+1-1202 + c113

CllO + 02 _..co + H02

1102 + CH20-+ll202 + CllO

Oil + CH2o � H20 + CHO

Oil, 1-102 ---+ \fol l s

Not a l l \'IOrkcrs agree even on this simple mechani�m . It has been

suggested 4 1 that the reaction is initiatc<l by

+ +

and the degenerate branching reaction is

+ + 0

Page 19: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

7

followed by reaction of the oxygen atoms with methane to produce further

primary chains

0 + > OH +

The majority of combustion phenomena involve significant extents

of ionization. Ion concentrations are particularly high in flames of

organic fuels, by comparison with other flames. Mass spectral analysis42

has shown that the predomina�t ion is H30+ with an appreciable amount

of C3H3 +

and small concentrations of HCO +.

Chemi-ionization, either with or without the exchange of excitation,

is thought to be the most likely source of fl ame ionization. This is

the process most favored at the present time by experimental evidence.

The specific mechanism proposed is

- 43 CH 0 + + e

Asswning CHO+

is the primary ion, all other charged species must

arise either directly or indirectly from electron or proton transfer

reactions involving this ion . Various charge transfer schemes have been

devised to account for the presence of the other ions,

+ co 44

+ 1120 44

+ co 4 5

tt20 44

e + H 44

with the final stages of the combustion process involving the burning of

CO and H to co2 and H20 in the presence of an increased supply of oxygen

in the reaction zone. +

Some evidence also points to c3113 as one of the parent ions and as

the dominant primary ion in certain cases.

Page 20: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

step

8

+ The mechanism for the formation of c3H3 involves the el ementary

CH* + + - 46 e

Th . . f CH* b G d ' h . 4 7 . 11 d e or1g1n o y ay on s mec an1sm is genera y accepte

+ OH ---> CH* + CO

Various reaction schemes have bee11 put forward to account for the

formation of secondary ions from C3H3 + 45 by a chain of oxidative degre-

daticn reactions

+ 02

+ co C3H3 + ) c2113o +

+ 0 c113o+ co c2H30 + +

+ OH CH30+ CHO C2H30 + +

C3H3 + + 0 CllO+

+ c2112 + c112o

+ co c2H30 + � C2H50 +

Cil30+ + 0 H 0+

3 + co

It is necessary to consider then the possible existence of two pri­

mary chemi-ions, CHO+

and c3H3+

, the relative importance of which may

vary from flame to flame and from which the great variety of ions formed

in flames probably derive as-a result of charge transfer react ions.

Results obtained from studies of negative ions in flames are contra-

dietary and as of yet there is no clear overall picture . 45 Calcote,

using electrical probes deduced that about 98% of the negative charge is

present as negative ions. This conclusion is supported by the work of

Feugier and van Tiggelen , 48 and Goo<lings, Bohme, and Ng4 9 who used a mass

spectrometer . However, other measurements ca rd ed out with a mass spec-

50 44 4 5 trometer by Green, Green and Sugden , and Calcote indicate that there

are only very small concentrations of negative ions present , up to 99%

Page 21: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

9

'of the charge being carried by free e l ectrons .

While there are almost certainly negative ions arising natural ly

in flames, present evidence indicates that their format ion i s contingent

so upon the primary product ion of e l ectron s . It i s reasonable then to

first consider the negative ion formation as one of e lectron attachment .

45 Several possible dissociative attachment reactions may be written

H202 + e OH + OH H202 + e H20 + 0 H02 + e ) 0 + OH H02 + e ) OH + 0

In addit ion to these react ions, the important species 0 and OH might be formed by reaction with hydrogen atoms

02 H 0 OH 49 + +

- OH 0 49 02 + H +

In any case , OH w i l l predominate over 0 because of the known reac-

tion of 0 with methane

0 + � --> 00 +

In systems in which the · el ements hydrogen and oxygen occur , the OH radical is an important and frequently the dominant species causing oxi-

dation.

Associative detachment with oxyeen atoms is a l so possible

02 0 > 0 02 49 + +

02 0 ) 03 49 + + e

If d �d OH were the first negative ions produced, there i s no

- 4 5 difficulty in writing reactions for producing c2 , because of i t s large

electron affinity

Page 22: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

0 +

OH +

0 +

The molecular oxygen

0 + OH

or 02 + c

ion

0 +

OH +

OH +

might

0 2

10

be

+

02 49

produced by

H 45

since the electrons are produced in the presence of electronegative oxygen

molecules. It is thus pos�ible to explain all of the ions observed by

reasonable argumen t s . More than one important ioni zing mechanism may be

. 51 52 active in different flames; to what extent the role energetic electrons '

play as a possible source i s clearly an important consideration.

Page 23: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

11 Optical Theory

In this introductory section a variety of concepts are presented

which are required for the development of the theory , practice and

application of interferometr y .

Light i s a form o f e lectromagnetic radiation . It i s characterized

by its runp l itude, wave length, phase , polarization, speed and direction

of propagation. When l ight is .scattered or reflected by the surface of

an opaque object, or when it is transmittec through a transparent mediwn,

some of these characteristics wi l l be altered. By measuring the changes

in these characteristics, information can be obtained about the state of

the object - - its s i z e , shap e , temperature , ve l ocity, or density. Inter­

ferometry is one method for carrying out measurements of this type .

For most applications of interferometry, a laser i s used as the

iight source . Lasers emit l ighi waves of unique character, having pa­

rameters which are quite constant in both time and space . Lasers emit

narrow beams of nearly monochromatic l ight with a l most perfectly plane

wavefronts . The most important characteristic of laser l ight is its

high degree of coherence .

The phenomenon of interference i s central to this experiment. Inter­

ference occurs when radiation follows more than one path from its source

to the point of detection. When two waves of identical frequency and

ampl itude superimpose, the resulting amp litude may be of any magnitude

between zero and twice that of the constituents . If they are exactly

in phase , crest superimposes upon crest, and the waves reinforce each

other, whi le if they are comp letely out of phase--by an integral number

of n's--�rest superimposes upon trough , and the waves cancel each other .

In the case of light, this aspect of wave behavior is responsibl e for the

intensity variations treated by physical optics, anJ accounts for the

Page 24: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

12

light a!1d dark bands observed, cal led interference fringes, which are

dealt with in interferometry. The irradiance pattern in any p l ane can

be. recorded by simply exposing a sheet of photographic film to the

l ight. The fringe pattern enables one to r.1easure the spatiai distribu­

t�on of phase difference between the two waves .

Hydrodynamic Analogy. 53 A specific important example of interference

is that of two spherical waves emanating from two separate sources, s1

and s2 (Fig. 1 ) . Such a case arises i f two needles are attached to the

prongs of a vibrating tuning fork and dipped into water, each creating

circular waves which spread out over the surface and produce interference .

The two disturbing needles are strictly in phase thus forming standing

wave s . This hydrodynamical analogy holds closely in optics, for l ight

interference often takes p l ace between two waves reflected f�om s l ight l y

separated, or s l ightly inclined surfaces, the net effect being as if t here

were interference between a source and its coherent virtual image which

is displaced by virtue of the reflection.

This analogy is useful when considering the nature of the fringes

formed under particular condit ions. From s1 and s2 circular waves spread

out on the surface of the liquid, strict ly in phase . Letting the circles

represent crests , then where they intersect w i l l be a maximum . These

maxima lie on the heavy curved black lines. At a point P there is a

maximum when s2P - s1P = N�. As the two sources are in phase , stationary

waves appear , having the equation of a fami ly of hyperboloids of revo­

lution about the axis s1s2 connecting the two point sources.

The dark hyperbolic curves represent the localization o-r- fringes ,

each fririge being defined by a specific value of N. Al ong the l ine XY

the path difference is zero, i . e . N is zero, and this is said to be zero

order; successive orders arise for N = 1 , 2,3 . . . .

Page 25: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

13

F igure 1

Hydrodynamical analogy of the nature

of fringe format ion .

Page 26: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on
Page 27: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

14

The interference fringes which would be observed by placing a

detector surface , such as a sheet of film, into the field is the inter-

section of these hyperboloids with that surface . Suppose a screen is

pl aced in the position AB in Fig . 1 , perpendicular to the l{ne s1s2, then the intersections of the hyperboloids of revolution with the pJane

will produce circular rings. The fringes formed on a plane will always

be straight l ines, or arcs or circles or hyperboloids, depending on the

location and orientation of the plane .

Two light waves which are capable of producing an interference

pattern are said to be coherent. Because of coherence requirements most

interference experiments are conducted using two images of the same

source . There are two basic types of interferometers: Division of

wavefront and division of amp l itude .

If radiation from the source must pass through one of several

aperatures, it is said to be separated by division of wavefron t .

The second method of obtaining two coherent beams is by ampl itude

division . This division is usua l l y brought about by simple reflection .

When light falls on a plate of glass, part of the amplitude of the in-

cident wave is reflected at the first face of the plate met, and the

remainder continues until it meets the second face where a similar

fraction is reflected. These two fractions, being coherent and having

traversed different path lengths are in a condition to interfere. The

calculation of the law governing the fringe separation is simply deduced

from the interference effect in the para l l e l-sided plate . This law,

h h 1 1 d h . S4 'SS . f d 1 . h. h w ic is ca e t e cosine law, is a un amenta equation w ic

describes and relates a number of interference phenomena .

Cosine Law. Consider a plane para l l e l plate of thickness d and

index of refraction n (Fig . 2), i l l umin�ted by an extended source, S , of

Page 28: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

15

Figure 2 (upper)

Fringes produced by reflection from the surface

of a p l ane paral l e l plate .

F igure 3 (iower)

Calculation of path d i fference in fringes .

Page 29: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

\ \ '\ '

d

\ \ \ '

' \ / / / / / /

I \ I \ I \ I \ I I I I I I I I I

/ / /

,, ,,. /

/ / /

/ / ,,

/ / / ,,

I I

I I

L

, L

Page 30: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

16

monochromat i c l i ght . A ray s1I1 is divided in I1

on the plate and gives

rise to one transmitted ray I1J

1 and one reflected ray r1L1; I1J1 i s

reflected i n J1

and emerges along K1

L1

' para l l e l t o I1

L1

. The two paral ­

l e l rays I1L1 and K1

L1' meet 'each other in F i n the focal p l ane TI of the

objective 0 at which they interfere .

Let s2

be another polnt of the source S . Consider among the rays

emitted by s2

the ray s2

r2

para l l e l to the ray s1

r1. The same phenomenon

occurs again, and the two · rays I2

L2

and K2

L2

' end at the same point F at

which they interfere . It can be seen that the path differences ( I1J

1K1L{F)­

(I1

L1

F) and (I2

J2

K2

L:2F)-(I2

L2

F) are equa l . The interferencE .. phE:nomena

produced in F by s1 and s2

are incoherent but because they are ident ical

the v i s ib i l ity of the phenomena stays the same.

We can now cal culate the path difference in F . Let an incident ray .

SI make an angle of incidence i (Fig. 3). After the reflection on the

two faces of the plate the incident ray SI gives rise t o two rays iL and

KL'. Their phase d i fference stays constant with respect t o Kand H,

where H i s the foot of the perpendicular from K to IL. Between I and KH

the ray IL fol l ows the path IH in air , and KL' the path IJK in the

medium of the index of refract ion n. Thus , the path di fference i s 2nIJ

-IH, to which we must add the additional delay A/2 caused by the advance

in phase produced by the air-glass reflection at I. The path difference

in F between the two rays IL and IJKL' i s

6 = 2nIJ - IH + (>1/2) ( 1 )

then

IJ d

IH IK =

i ' =

cos sin i IK = 2d tan i '

from which

6 = 2nd

cos i ,. 2d sin i tan i ' + (A/2)

·5 = 2nd cos i ' + (A/2) (2)

Page 31: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

17

Equation 2 shows that 6 = constant for i; = constant . The fringes

therefore are rings, with the noTmal to the pl ane para l l e l p l ate forming

an axis .

For a l l points on t he ring, t he order of interference p i s constant

and equal to

6 p = >: =

2nd cos i., .\ + 1/2

If p = K, we sha l l have a bright ring and if p = K + �. a b l ack

ring.

(3)

Page 32: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

EXPERI MENTAL

The Opt ical System

The optical system used was capab l e of interferometry , deflection

mapping, and a wide range of schl ieren methods, requiring onl y minor

adjustments to convert it from one function to another. A combination

of these faci l i t ies was desirab le since shadowgraphy and schlieren

methods make refract ive index visib l e , whi le deflection mapping and

interfe�ometry a l low i t s accurate meas urement . Interferograms portray

the distribution of optical path, whi l e deflection mapping gives its

�irst derivative with respect to distance , and shadowgraphy , to a first

approximat ion , its second derivat ive . In accordance with previous

usage56

a schlieren system i s defined to be that in which the receptor

is opt ically conj ugate with the test space, and deflected regions are

marked by changes in i l l umination or color, but not by any distort ion

of the image . Schl ieren systems are considered, since the opt ical

system used in this s t udy i s based on the convent ional para l l e l -beam

schliercn system.

The opt ical system (Fig. 4 ) , shown in one of its possible forms is

set up for interferomet ry . In this arr angement , the Hght source , LS,

is centered on a pinho l e , PH, by a short focal length lens , L. The

l i ght coming thro ugh the pinhole is divergent and rendered para l l e l by

the first schlieren mirror, SM1

. After passing thro ugh the test space,

TS, the l ight strikes the second schl ieren mirror , SM2 , which causes the

18

Page 33: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

19

Fi gure 4

The optical arrangement . A conventional parallel -beam sch l i eren

system set up for interferometry .

LS, l ight source; L, len s ; PH, pinhole; SM, sch l i eren mirror; TS, test

space; TO, test object ; NL, negative focal length lens; GS: glass s l ab ;

CL, camera len s ; R, receptor.

Page 34: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

L

LS I PH

[L---__ ___.J)� TS --

SM1

e-ro

Page 35: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

20

light t o focus. The beam is made parallel again after contraction by

a negative focal length lens, NL. Use is now made of reflection at the

two parallel surfaces of a glass slab, GS. The reflected light is then

captured by the camera Jens, CL, and focused onto a receptor, R .

I t will be convenient t o subdivide this section into component parts

and discuss each as a separate piece of the apparatu s .

The light source used was a .8mW, mode] ML-810 Metrologic He-Ne

laser, which emits radiation of wavelength 632 . 8 nanometers . The attri­

butes of laser light present special opportunities. The methods of

physical optics , such as interferometry, can be s implified . Laser light

is highly monochromatic and coherent in time as well as in space, i . e.,

each wave train remains continuous for an appreciable time and all ampli­

tudes across the beam are in phase. The beam can be made almost perfectly

parallel and the light , up.on adjustment , is plane polarized .

Mechanically, a beam of light constitutes a very satisfactory probe

in addition t o being without influence on the flame. Its use affords

the possibility of recording the result s photographically and thus pro­

ducing a map of the instantaneous refractive index distribution .

The beam emerging from the laser i� focused by a 1 5 mm focal length.

lens onto a pinhole . This "spatial filter11 cleans the J ight beam by

removing the optical noise. This noise is sometimes visible as stray

light around an unexpanded laser beam or ring-like patterns in a beam

expanded by a lens . The pinhole i s made t o allow the primary beam t o

pas s , but small enough to block the stray light . Since the optical noise

will focus at different distances most of it will be blocked by the area

around the pinhole . When a spatially filtered beam is expanded and

viewed on a screen, an unmottled disc of light wi l l appear (Fig . 5) .

Page 36: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

21

Figure 5 The method of spatial fi1tering.

Page 37: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

PINHOLE" DIAPHRAGM

_.-.. .. . -- :;

LE:NS

Page 38: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

2 2

Proper a l i gnment o f a spatial filter invo lves centering a laser

beam on a converging lens and then centering a pinhole at the apex of

the cone of l ight produced by the lens . The critical aspect of a l ignment

i s that the pinhole must be placed at the prec ise point of focus . This

requires adjustment of the pinhole in three direct ion s : horizonta l ,

vertical , and distance (X, Y> and Z axes ) .

The f i lter used was a Metrologic '15-245 spatial filter. This unit

includes the housing, a +lSmm focal length lens , and a SO micron diameter

pinho l e . The entire unit was attached direc t l y t o the laser by virtue of

a bui l t - in threaded opt ics mount . Unless excessive noise is present , 90%

of the beam power wi l l be transmitted . Initially a suitable pinhole was

made by folding several thicknesses of aluminum foi l , placing the foi l

on a glass plate, and puncturing i t with a need l e . A satisfactory pinhole

was obtained from one of the middle fo lds.

Fine adj ustments are provided for all a l ignment movemen t s . X and Y

axis adjustments are contro l led by two t humbscrews . A third thumbscrew

locks movement in the X and Y axe s . Z axis a l i gnment is made by rotating

a threaded pinhole carrier. A locking ring holds the Z axis in place .

The pinhole i s a l igned by adjusting the thumbscrews for X and Y axis

positioning. When the pinhole is centered with respect to the beam, the

output w i l l consist of a bright central spot surrounded by concentric

ring s . The pinho l e is then adjusted the appropriate distance in the Z

direction; the rings w i l l disappear and the central spot wi l l be an un­

mot t l ed disc of uniform brightness .

The region between the two 4 . 2 5 inch sch l i eren mirrors i s termed the

test space . The test object was a pre-mixed methane/oxygen flame from a

commercial oxy-acctylenc welding torch equipped with a No . AAO Victor

torch tip. The fuel used in these experiments 1\las obtained from the

Page 39: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

2 3

laboratory natural gas supp l y at a pressure of approximate l y one P . S . I .

An oxygen cy l inder obtained from Gano Welding Suppl y was regulated to

20 PSI with a doub le stage regulator, Victor Equipment Co . VTS 450 D .

The final flame mixture s , ranging from fuel rich to fue l lea·n , were con­

tro l led at the base of the torch.

Varying e lectric fiel ds were app l ied to the flame using several

d ifferent electrode assemb l ies. Power was s uppl ied by a Sarge nt-We l ch

5000 volt D . C . supply, with control maintained by a Powerstat variable

autotransformer (Type 3PN116B) as shown in Figure 6 . The el ectrode

assemb l ie s consisted of two 3 - inch square stainless steel plates to

study the effects of transverse fields ( Fi g . 7), the burner t ip and a

counter ring electrode to study the effects of longitudinal fields (Fig.

8) , and a ring and plate arrangement used to ''spray charge" ( r: ig. 9) .

The el ectrodes were wel l insulated and movab l e up or down with

respect to the burner t ip . Observat ions then could be made at different

height s , exposing more or less of the flame to the ac tion of the field .

Care was taken to insure that the f lame did not come into contact with

the e l ectrodes . The electrodes could be made positive or negative with

respect to the other by simply interchanging the output leads from the

power supp l y .

lbere are then two ways i n which an e l ectric field may be applied:

( 1 ) longitudinal l y - - in the direct ion o f the flow of gas ; and (2) trans­

versely--across the gas stream. A transverse field possesses one dist inct

advantage-:-name 1y, that the flame is not in contnct with the 0l ectrode .

This arrangement may a l so lead to more valuab l e information concerning

the role of charged spec ies .

For a coherent , plane and monochrowatic wavefront it is not rea!ly

necessary to des ignate a "reference'' and a "t est" be:im, slnce t he wave-

Page 40: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

24

Figure· 6

The D . C . power supply with variable autotransformer .

Page 41: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

-I-v \&I tt:

w 0 9 0

+

> 0 It) 0 t'l N N - ... ...

>

0 u 0 -u 0 lt')

flL .,-ER. C.f\PAC. lTO R

> 0 (6.

Page 42: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

25

Fi�ure 7

The transverse field e lectrode assemb l y .

Page 43: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

.I

3 I N C. H S Q U A R E ST f\IN L E 55

STE E L ( LE<.Tf\ODE5 +/-

TOP. C..H - # AAO T I P

Page 44: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

26

Figure 8 (upper)

The longitudinal field e l ectrode assemb l y .

Figure 9 (l ower)

The e l ectrode assemb ly used to "spray charp:e " .

Page 45: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

+

D c. Pow£ R SU PPLY

C.OM M E P. C. I A L # A A O W E. L O ING T \ P

Page 46: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

27

front can be folded at the most convenient point , after having traversed

the obj ect under study.

The simplest method of superposition i s by front and back reflection

from a glass s lab, which i n this case was an optical flat .

The beam from the schlieren mirror was made para l l e l shortly before

it converges to a point , by using a divergent lens whose focus coincides

with that of the schlieren mirror. The system is identical to a paral l e l

beam schlieren system almost up t o the point of focus of the second

mirror.

Th I · f . . S 7 .

h . F . 10 e mec1an1sm o s uperposition 1s s own in 1 gure . The rela-

t ionship between beam d i ameter d , thickness of the p l ate a , angle of

incidence a. , and extent of overlap n , in terms of fraction of the beam

diameter is

IV n = o = 1 -

2a sin a. d (4)

This overlap w i l l give rise to dual images of the obj ect under test , since

i t s image w i l l be contained in both the front and back surface reflection

of the beam. In the limit of increasing overlap the beams superimpose

exactly with point-to-point correspondence between the two beams. Be-

cause of coherence requirement s , the optical system can be used on ly with

a laser source , since one beam traverses the glass s lab twice whi le the

other i s reflected on i t s surface .

The front and back surface reflection from the glass s lab i s

gathered by a lens and focused on a receptor (photographic plate) . The

camera used was an Olympus OM- 1 with a se lf- timer to ensure a minimwn of

mechanical movement . The film used was Kodak Recording Film 2475 (ESTAR-AH

base) . Exposure times were on the order of 1/1000 of a second. The

<level oping parameters used are s wrnnari zed in Tab le 2 .

Page 47: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

Tabl e 2 . Developing Parameters

Developer (DK-50)

Stop Bath SB- la

. ,

Fixer F-5

Wash

28

5 minutes ( 2 1 �C)

30 second agitation

1 minute ( 2 1 °C)

Continuous agitation

10 minutes ( 2 1 °C)

30 second agitation

Running water

30 minutes

Page 48: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

29

Figure 10

The methpd of superimposition by front and back reflection.

Page 49: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

N E GAT IV£ L E N S

Page 50: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

30

One important feature of the opt ical system i s that the receptor

i s opt ical ly conjugate with the test spac e . The essential point is the

58 superimpos i t ion of two image forming processes (Fig. 1 1 ) . In the firs t ,

l ight passes from a pinhole t hrough schl ieren lenses , SL1 and SL2, and

i s focused (solid l ine) . In addition, the camera lens, C L, i s focused

on the deta i l s of the test space (dotted l ine) .

In this spec ific case, the two lenses are analogous to the schl ieren

mirrors . When the system i s s t i l l defocused shadowgraphs wj l l be pro-

duced. The most useful aspect of these patterns may be the use of their

disappearance as a sensitive criterion for focusing the test space on

the receptor, prior to using interferometric technique s .

The individual components o f the apparatus were secured on opt ical

benches and the entire interferometric system was p laced on a hal f ton

concrete tabletop. The most frequent origin of relative motion of com-'

ponents i s building vibrat ions , which is transmitted through the optical

tab l e . This problem was c ircumvented by using a table o f high mass

mounted on inflated inner tubes, thereby achieving a very low natural

frequency and filtering out most vibrat ions . The tab l e achieved high

rigidity and satisfactory vibrational isolation with relatively l i t t l e

expense.

Page 51: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

3 1

Figure 1 1

The conjugate optical system; a superposit ion of two image forming

processes .

PH, pinho l e ; SL, schlieren lens ; TS, test spac e ; TO, test ob j ect ; CL ,

camera lens; R , receptor (camera) .

Page 52: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

...

("c.: _ � TO

SLz. CL

-..

Page 53: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

DATA ANALYSIS ---·----

. 56 59 Theory of Fringe Interpretation '

This section considers the app l ication of interferometry to the

measurement of changes in the physical propert ies of transparent

obj ect s . These propert ies inc l uded e l ectron density of p l a smas, tern-

perature distributions and. chemical species concentrat ions in reacting

gases. These properties are a l l related to refractive inde x , which can

be quant itatively evaluated by interferometry.

The interferometer may be adjusted for a constant singularly

.i l l uminated field of view, i . e . an infinite fringe , so that the fringes

which appear on introducing the test object are cont our l ines of con-

stant opt ical path. The shearing plate needed to attain an infinite

fringe interferogram would need to have both surfaces perfectly plane

and paral l e l . However, in the more general system, fringes are always

present ; hence, a finite fringe interferogram . Their separation may vary

systemat ically across the fie l d o f view or give curved fringes in the

case of optical aberration s . If the p l ate used had perfect l y planar sur-

faces but was wedge -shaped, the resul ting fringes woul d be straight and

equidi stant (sec Plate 1 ) . In the case of nonp l anar surfaces the fringes

produced w i l l be curved �nd the distance between then wi ll vary (see

P l at e 2) . The qual ity of an opt ical plate can be characterized in this

manner.

I f the quality of a l l the opt ical components were perfect and the

focal point o f al l the lenses and mirrors coincided exactly, the ideal

32

Page 54: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

33

Plate 1 - Straight and equidistant interference fringes produced by

reflection off the p l anar surfaces of a wedge-shaped p l ate .

Page 55: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

34

Plate 2 - Curved interference fringes caused by the opt ica l aberrat ions

inherent in the plate .

Page 56: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

35

system would be in infinite fringe adjustment automat ica 1.1 y . This is

never attainable with the geometry of Fi p.ure 4 , because of off-axis

aberrat ions .

The flame under consideration i s treated as a phase object . The

optical pathlength d ifference of a ray trave l l ing in the Z direction

through a phase object is given by equation 5 .

6¢ (x,y) = / [ n (x , y , � ) - n0] dz = NA (5)

Here, n is the refract ive index of the air and n (x , y , z) is the 0

refract ive index di stribution of the flame at the instant it was photo-

graphed.

It is possible to measure 6¢ directly in units of wave length by

assigning order numbers to the fringe s . f-igure 12 is a fringe pattern

due to a high- speed flow of air past a wedge -shaped airfo i l . The number

N=O is assigned to the large bright fringe in the undisturbed ambient

gas . The centers of a l l subsequent bright fringes are ass igned the num­

bers N = 1 , 2 , 3 . . . consecutively . The centers of a l l dark fringes are

assigned the numbers N = 0 . 5 , 1 . 5 , 2 . 5 , etc . At any location the optical

pathlength difference i s

(6)

Figure 13 is a finite fringe intcrferogram of the same phase object

as in Figure 12 . To assign fringe order numbers to locations in a finite

fringe interferogram a straight l ine is drawn tangent to the ambient

reference fringe s , i . e . the dotted J ine in f-igurc 1 3 . The N=O is assigned

to all points where the fringe docs not dcvjatc from the dotted l ine.

Order numbers N = 1 , 2 , 3 . . . are ass igned to each consecutive point where

the center of a new dark fringe crosses the dotted l ine , and N = 0 . 5 ,

Page 57: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

36

F i gure 12 (upper)

The fringe pattern due to high-speed air flow past a wedge-shaped

airfoil ( schemat ic) ; an infinite fringe interferogram.

F igure 13 ( l ower)

Wedf!e-shaped airfoi l ; a finite fringe intcr:crogram.

Page 58: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

N =-o

Page 59: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

37

1 . 5 , 2 . 5 . . . to each point where the center of a bright fringe crosses

the dotted l ine .

Once 6¢ has been evaluated for an interferogram� Equation 5 must

be inverted to determine n (x , y , z) - n . 0 The ease of inversion depends on the structure of the phase objec t .

The structure o f the flame can b e considered to be a radially symmetric

phase object . The refractive i ndex i s a funct i on of radius only

f (r) = n (r) - n 0 (7)

Figure 14 depicts an optical ray trave ling in the Z direction through

2 2 1 2 2 J a radial l y symmetric phase object . Since dZ = d ( r - x ) 2 = (r - x ) - 2rdr,

and since many phase objects decay smoothly to zero at large radius and

have no discontinuit i es :

N (x) • >. f (r) r dr ,

(r 2 _ x 2) 2 (8)

The right -hand side of Equation 8 is the Abe l transform of f (r) .

In analyzing the data the fringe order number N (x) is known only

at a finite number of discrete locations and must be inverted numerica l l y .

The inverse o f Equation 8 is

f (r) ;. 100 TI r

(dN/dx)dx 1 (x2 - r '- ) 2 (9)

We consider the phase object to be divided into I discrete annul ar

e lements of constant width fir, as seen in Figure 15 . The objective i s

t o determine I discrete values o f f (r) from data consisting o f I values

of N (x) .

Methods approximat ing Equation 8 lead to a system of al gebraic

equations which must be solved . The simplest approach is to consider

that each annular el ement has a uniform refractive index. Let f . 1

Page 60: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

, ,

38

F i gure 14

An opt ical ray trave l l ing in the Z direction through a radi a l l y

symmetric phase obj ect .

Page 61: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

�-----r----- z

Page 62: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

39

Fi gure 1 5

The cross section o f a radia l ly symmetric phase object divided

into discrete annular e l ements of width 6r .

Page 63: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

N<�)

L.

Page 64: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

40

denote the value of n - n for the e l ement r . < r < r . 1 , where

r . = l

so

i ·6r . With this

N . . >. = l.

0 approximation

I - 1 r 2

k� f

k I k · l

k

l - -- l+

Equation 8 becomes

r dr 1 (r2 _ r . 2) 2

l

The integral in Equation 10 has the va l ue

1 1 1 1 rf) 2 - (r� - rf) 2 = 6r { ( (k + 1) 2 - i 2 ] 2 - (k 2 - i z ) 2 }

( 1 0)

( 1 1 )

( 1 2 )

'where the coefficients Aki are

1 1 �i = { f (k + 1 ) 2 - i 2 ] 2 - (k 2 - i 2 ) 2 } ( 1 3)

The solut ion t o Equation 1 2 i s quite simple since the coefficients

Aki form a matrix o f lower triangular form, so that

A f - >. N (I - 1 ) , (I - 1 ) ( I - 1 ) - 26 r1 ( I - 1 )

A( I - 2) , ( I - 2 )

f(I-2) +

A( I - I ) , ( I -2)

£( 1 - 1 ) = � 2Ar ( I - 2 )

A(I -3) , ( I-3)

f( I -3) +

A( l - 2 ) , ( I - 3)

f( I - 2)

+ A(I - 1 ) , ( I - 3)

£( 1 - 1 ) = 2�r

N(I -3)

The outermost el ement is located so that £1 = 0. Each value of

f can tnus be calculated in turn starting at the outer radius and work -

ing t oward the center. The coefficients given in Equat ion 13 have been

computed by Program "GLI I" up to I = 30 .

Page 65: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

4 1

0 0 1 00 PROGRAM GLH C I NPUT , OUTPUT r T APE5= I NPUT r TAPE6=0UTPUT >

0 0 1 1 0 DO 1 0 K= 1 r 3 0

0 0 1 20 D O 1 0 I = l r K

0 0 1 3 0 X I = I

0 0 1 4 0 XK�K

0 0 1 5 0 A 1 = < X K + 1 . 0 > * *2

0 0 1 6 0 A 1 =SQRT C A 1 - C X I *X I > >

-0 0 1 7 0 A2= C X K * * 2 - X I * * 2 >

0 0 1 8 0 A2=SQRT C A2 >

0 0 1 90 A = A 1 -A2

00200 WR I TE C 6 r 5 ) K ' I ' A

0 0 2 1 0 5 FORMA T C I 2 , 3 x , 1 2 , 3 x , F 1 2 . B >

00220 1 0 C O N T I NUE

00230 sror 0 0 2 4 0 E N D

READY .

Page 66: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

4 2

Method of Analysis

This section is concerned with the reading of interferograms. The

separation between fringes. i s the distance corresponding to one wave­

length change in optical path and provides the unit in terms of which

fringe displacement can be measured . Since only differences are

recorded, the optical path must be known ab solutely in at least one

region appearing on the reco�d . In the non- infinite fringe case, it is

necessary to compare the interferogram with a blank test spate, taken in

the absence of any perturb�tion , so as to en sure that no residual optical

path distributions due to faults in the .system ·wi l l be added onto the

measured distribut i o n .

The method which has been used i s t o superimpose o n a l l intercepts .

the interferogram over that of the blank test zone . A more e l e gant

variation on t h i s principle is to superimpose a p l ate on which one of the

two records has been printed as a positive upon the second plate on which

the other interferogram appears as a negative . The whole fiel d appears

dark where the records are ident ica l . A deviation of hal f a wavelength

in the opt i c a l path produces the first bright band, a further change of

.X the next, etc . The bands .are fringes resulting from the 11interference

of the two interferograms' ' ; only differences between the twa records are

displayed. Hence, a l l residual opt i c a l imperfections are automat ical ly

removed.

For any given e l evation on an interferogram a set of fringe order

number s , N(x) , can be found which correspond to certain radial distances

from the flame axis . This set of points i s obtained on the l i ne from

the f l ame axis up to the boundary radius of the radiating p lasma .

These observat ions give N (x) as a number of points , t hrough which

a curve can be traced. The curve was fit by a method of we i ghted least

Page 67: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

43

squares to a higher order polynomial i n order to obtain the best possible

accuracy. In each case the point on the flame axis was wei ghted so as to

create a maximum plateau on the N (x) curve. The use of the least squares

has the effect of smoothing out the readings.

In order to implement the Abel transform the fringe order numbers

must be known at equal l y spaced interval s . Program "POLY" was used to

generate a sequence of N (x) values for equidistant x values up to the

boundary region of the f l ame·.

Figure 16 i s a plot of the values generated by the POLY program.

This p lot i s a l tered (dotted line) at larger rad i i , near the flame boun-

dary , in order to ensure that N=O in the undi sturbed ambient gas region.

The N (x) values are then read directly from the graph. This approach

i s j ustifiec;l since the fringe order number i s known absolut e l y , (N=O) ,

.at a specific radial distance corresponding to the interface between the

chemical bolUldary of the flame and the ai r. The fringe order data would

be expected to smoothly decay to zero with no d i scontinuit i e s .

Appl i cations

This . section wi l l consider the app lication of interferometry to

the relation of the property of primary i nterest , temperature , to the

index of refraction . 'T1le optical properties of flames and the methods

that exploit them a l l depend ultimately on changes in refractive index

that occur in gases during combustion.

Depending upon the experimen t , the refractive index may be related

to one or more state variab les of the gas. The nature of the interac-

tion between an e lectromagnetic wave and matter must be considered. The

most common ly used relationship i s that of Lorenz and Lorentz:

2 2 (n - l ) /P (n + 2 ) = (14) where KLL' the Lorenz- Lorentz specific refracti vity, is a property of the gas.

Page 68: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

•.

44

0 0 1 0 0 PROGRAM POLY C I N PUT r O U T PU T r T A P E 5 = I NPUT r T APE6=0UTPUT >

0 0 1 1 0 D I ME N S I O N A C 9 >

0 0 1 20 DO 1 0 I = 1 r 9

0 0 1 30 A C I ) :::O . O

0 0 1 4 0 1 0 C O N T I N U E

0 0 1 5 0 REA D ( 5 , 1 5 ) N

0 0 1 6 0 1 5 FORMAT < I 2 >

0 0 1 7 0 DO 2 0 1 = 1 , N

OOHlO f�EAD C 5 , 2 5 ) A < I.>

0 0 1 9 0 2 5 FORMAT C E 1 2 . 6 >

0 0 2 0 0 2 0 C O N T I N U E

0 0 2 1 0 D O 30 I = l • N

00220 W R I T E ( 6 , 3 1 ) I • A C ! )

0 0 2 3 0 3 1 FORMA T C 2 H A C , I 2 , 3H ) = • E 1 2 . 6 )

0 0 2 4 0 3 0 C O N T I NUE

00250 W R I TE C 6 , 3 3 )

0 0 2 6 0 3 3 FORMAT C 4 X , 1 HX , 1 6 X , 1HY >

00270 DO 50 1 = 2 , 6 0 , 2

0 0 2 0 0 Y = I

00290 X = O . O

0 0 3 0 0 DO 4 0 J = l , 9

0 0 3 1 0 x � x + < Y * * < J - t > > * A < J >

0 0 3 2 0 40 C O N T I N U E

0 0 3 3 0 W R I T E C 6 , 45 ) X r Y

0 0 3 4 0 45 FORMA T C F 7 . 3 r 9 X r F 7 . 3 )

00350 5 0 C O N T I NUE

00360 STOP

003"70 END

R E A D Y .

Page 69: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

< •

82/0 9/08 . 1 0 . 2 7 . 36 . ff\OGRAM POLY

? 0 9 ? + . 45783 1 E + 0 1 '? + . 5 5 3 0 7 4 E - 1 5 ? - . 325524E-02 ? + . 425932E- 1 9 ? - , 296523E-06 ? - . 1 2 4 0 6 9 £ - 2 1 ? + . 4 8 1 068[·-09 ,.,. + . 1 45538E- 2�5 '? - . 6 6 7 087E- 1 3 A ( 1 ) = . 4 5783 1 E t 0 1 A < 2 ) = . 5 53074E - 1 5 A < 3 ) = - . 325524E-02 A C 4 ) = . 4 25932E - 1 9 A < 5 > = - . 296523£-06 A < 6 > = - , 1.24069E- 2 1 . A < 7 ) = . 4 8 1 068£-09 A < B > = . 1 45538E-25 A < 9 ) = - . 667087E- 1 3

x y 4 . �i65 4 . 5 2 6 4 . 4 6 1 4 . 36 9 4 . 2 5 0 4 . 1 0 �) 3 . 9 3 2 3 . 733 3 . �)()I) 3 . 2 � -;a 2 . 984 2 . 6 9 0 2 . 3 7 7 2 • ()�i 1. 1 . 7 1 5 1 . 3·77 1 . 0 4 3

.72 0

. 4 1 8

. 1 4 4 ·- . 0 9 2

- . 4 1 7 - . 4 9 2 -· . 5 0 2 - . 4 47 ·- . 330 ... • 1 6 2

. 0 4 3 . 25 7

RUN COMPLETE .

2 . 0 0 0 4 . 0 0 0 6 . 0 0 0 8 . 0 0 0

1 0 . 00 0 1 2 . 00 0 1 4 . 00 0 l b . 0 0 0 1 8 . 00() 2 0 . 0 0 0 2 2 . 0 0 0 24 . 0 0 0 2c-. . ooo 2 0 . 0 0 0 3 0 . 0 0 0 3 2 . 0.00 34 . 00 0 3 6 . 0 0 0 3 8 . 0 0 0 4 0 . 0 0 0 42 . 00 0 4 4 . 000 4 6 . 0 0 0 4 8 . 0 0 0 5 0 . 0 0 0 :"j2 . 0 0 0 �i4 . 0 0 0 ::;6 . 0 0 0 513 . 00 0 -6 0 . 0 0 0

45

X(from graph - fig. 1 6 ) .790 . 590 .450 .340 .250 . 1 80 . 1 1 0 .060 .030 .010 .005 .ooo

Page 70: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

46

Figure 16 The fringe order number distribution, N(x) , as a function of radial

flame distance.

Page 71: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

- s )( -z

V') "" � \U cO � '.) 3 z

a: w 0 z. a: 0

Ul � z � .... u. .... ., - - - - - - -0

0 10 zo 30 410 50 Eio ;o RAD\AL DlSTA N C. £ ) x

Page 72: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

47

The density of a gas can be calculated using the ideal gas equation of

state :

p = MP RT (15)

where P i s the pressure , M is the molecular wei ght of the gas , R is

the universal gas constan t , and T i s the absolute temperature.

Combining equations and solving for the quantity of interest , we

obtain

Cn2 + 2 ) RLL P

(n2 - 1 ) R

T ( 16)

where RLL i s the Lorenz-Lorentz molar refractivity , given by M KLL '

Program "ABEL" implements the Abel trans form which subsequent ly

a l lows the solution to Equation 1 6 .

The value of RLL was calculated from either the polari zibi l i t i e s ,

a , or the refractive indices , a s shown in the equations below. Table 3

gives a l l the necessary data needed to calculate the molar refractivity

by both methods.

Refrac tivities obtained from polari zibi l ities is governed by the

equation

RM (a) = 4/3 n N a 0

where N i s Avogadro ' s nwnber . 0

( 1 7 )

From refractive indices , Equation 1 6 , in a rearranged from, i s used

RM (n) = cn2 - 1 ) Cn2 + 2 )

(V) 1000 (l 7A)

Tab l e s 4 and S give the RM values for simple and comp lex test

spaces, and for simple and comp lex flame exhaust gases , respectively.

As can be deduced from the tab l e , molar refractivi t i es are additive by

mole fraction. This i s due to the constancy of the molar volume .

Page 73: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

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Page 74: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

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Page 75: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

so

Tab l e 3 . Burnt gas composit ion for a CH4

;o2

stoichiometric flame mixture ;

included are their refractive indexes, no ' and polarizib i l it ie s ,

Ct , needed to calculate molar refract ivities, RM.

60 Mole 60

6 1 Cl (cm3) 1 024 Species Fraction-X. no x RM. (n) RM. (a) 1 1 1

H?O . 37 . 1 . 0002S09 1 . 48 62

3. 746 3 . 73

co2

. 12 1 . 0004480 2 . 6S 63

6 . 690 6 . 68

co . l S 1 . 0003340 1 . 9762 ,63

4 . 987 4 . 97

02

. 0 7 1 . 0002701 1 . S86 2 , 6 3

4 . 033 4 . 00

1-12

. 0 7 1 . 0001386 . 8 06 2 , 63

2 . 069 2 . 02

OH . 14 2 . SS 64

0 . OS . 7 S 65

1 . 89

H . 03 . 667 62

1 . 68

N2

1 . 0002966 1 . 74 62

4 .429 4 . 39

Ar 1 . 0002810 4 . 196

Page 76: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

51

Tabl e 4 . RM values for simple and compl ex test spaces

Simp l e Test Space

Species (!!o)

02 - 2 1 %

N2 - 79%

EX. RM . =

1 1

x. RM . (11) l l

. 84 7

3 . 499

4 . 346

Avg. =

X. RM . (a) l l

. 840

3 . 468

4 . 308

4 . 32 7

.

Complex Test Space

Spec ies(%) X. RM . (11) l l X . RM . (a) l 1

02 -20 . 95% . 84 5 . 838

N2 - 78 . 08% 3 . 458 3 . 428

Ar - . 93% .039 .039

co2 - . 033% .002 .002

EX. RM . = 4 . 344 4 . 307 1 l

Avg . = 4 . 326

Page 77: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

52

Table 5 . RM values for simp l e and complex f l ame exhaust gases

Species

H20

co2

co

02

H2

Oil

H

0

L:X. RM. = 1 1

Comp lex

x. RM . (n) 1 1

1 . 386

. 803

. 748

.282

. 145

. 357

. 084

. 05 7

3 . 862

Avg. =

Exhaust

X.RM. (a) 1 1

1 . 380

. 802

. 746

. 28 0

. 14 1

. 357

. 084

. 0 5 7

3 . 8 4 7

3 . 854

CH4 + 2 o2 �2 H20 +

Simple Exhaust

X. R M . (n) 1 l

2 . 49 7

2 . 230

4 . 727

Avg. =

X. RM . (a) 1 1

2 . 487

2 . 227

4 . 714

4 . 720

co2

Page 78: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

53

A know ledge of the refractive index of the ambient test region,

110 , i s necessary to convert the intcrferogram (the distribution of

optical pathlength di fference s , 6� (x, y) ) to a refractive fie l d ,

11(x , y , z ) , by means o f Equation S .

ETAO, the index o f refraction of the a i r , at a pressure of 740 mm

of Hg , a relative humidity of 70%, and a temperature of 2 5 °C , was calcu­

lated from the law of Lorenz and Lorentz (Eqn. 16) . The quantity (n2 + 2 )

was approximated by the value three since the refractive index i s so

near unity that i t makes a neglibible contribution to the tota l . The

molar refractivity for air, cited i n Tab le 3 , was obtained by averaging

the value calcul ated from the polari zibi lities (Eqn. 1 7 ) , and the value

calculated from the refractive indices (Eqn . 17A) .

=

3 RLL p 1000 R T

+ 1 = 3 (4 . 326) (740/760) 1000 ( . 082056) (298 . 1 5 )

+ 1 =

For a gas , the refractive i n de x , 11 , i s a lso related to the gas

density, p , by the Gladstone-Dale equation:

11 - 1 = Kp ( 18)

1 . 0002582

where K i s the Gladstone-Dale specific refractivity. On multiplying it

by M, the molecular weight of the gas , it becomes the molar refracticity.

Thus

M(1 1 - 1 ) r

RGD

denoting the Gladstone-Da l e molar refractivity.

( 19)

The Gladstone-Dale constan t , K , of a mixture of gases can be ca lcu-

lated as a mass-wei ghted average of the values of K for the component

gases :

Page 79: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

K = E a. K. 1 1 i

54

(20)

where a. i s the mass fraction and K. the Gladstone-Dale constant o f the . 1 1 . th 1 component.

The Gladstone-Dale r e l ation (Eqn. 1 8 ) is in excellent agreement with

the value calculated ear l i er .

n 0 1 = (2 . 256 x 10 -4) (1 . 143)

n0 = 1 . 0002579

The laws of Gladstone and Dale and of Lorenz and Lorentz are the

best known , but by no means the only relationships between refractive

index and density that have been proposed.

A scaling factor that relates the optically projected test space

to the true laboratory coordinate i s needed to obtain DELR, the s i ze of

an annular element. This factor was initial ly estimated by ratioing

the known diameter of the torch tip to the corresponding image diameter

in the film plane.

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RESULTS

Flame Mixture and Opt ical Phase Shift Different ial

Plates 3 through S show a series of interferograms corresponding to

flames of d i fferent fuel -·oxygen mixtures . Plates 3 , 4, and S i l lustrate

a pure d iffusion flame , a pre-mix fue l rich flame, and a near stoichio­

metric composition pre-mix flame, respect ive l y . Plate 2 i l l ustrates the

finite fringe intcrferogram of the empty test space.

A comparison shows that the structure evident in plates 3 through S

i s characteristic of the f l ame and not of the shearing s l ab . A definite

qecrease in the dimensions of the closed fringe contours and a correspond­

ing increase in fringe density i s c l early observed as the fue l /oxygen

ratio i s decreased. There i s also a dist inct inflection in the fringes

immediate ly. beyond the nozzle head indicative of the unburnt gases up­

stream from the reaction zone.

As discussed before, doub l e images of the flame are generated by the

front and back surface reflections off a glass s l ab ; the extent of over­

lap being consistent with that predicted by Equation 4 . The posi t ive

and negative shearing angles created by the two angled surfaces of the

wedge-shaped plate resu l t in a finite fringe interfero�ram showing two

images of the wavefront topography charact eri zed by the features depicted

in Figure 1 7 . I f the interferometer were in infinite fringe adjustment ,

ident ical interference patterns of the flame woul d be obtained .

SS

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56

Figure 1 7

.

Re lationship between finite and infinite fringe interferograms and

the wavefront topography.

A) Fringe pattern observed for infinite fringe case

B) Finite fringe pattern created by a positive shear

C) Finite fringe pattern created by a negative shear

1 , laser source; 2 , short focal length len s ; 3 , pinho l e diaphragm;

4 , schl ieren len s ; 5 , p l anar wavefront ; 6 , phase object ; 7 , wedge-

shaped shearing plate; 8 , wavefront topography.

(See Experimenta l Section for a ful l discussion of the opt ical

system)

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+

'9 Q))) ) ) )))))

/ /

- _,. _ __ .:_. __ --

<

Page 83: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

57

Effects of Transverse E lectric fields

Experiments were done with the f l ame centered between two paral l e l

steel p l ates a s shown in Figure 7 . A D . C . voltage of 500 vo lt s/cm was

app l ied across the p late s . The original f l ame was pure diffusion, burn­

ing openly , as shown in plate 3 . Plate 6 shows the effect of an app l ied

field on the f l ame and i t $ surrounding region. The negative e l ectrode is

located on the right side of the field of view. The highly symmetric

refractive field of a normal diffusion f l ame (plate 3) i s dramatically

distorted under the influence of the transverse e l ectric fie l d . There is

c lear evidence of a resolut ion of flame gases deflected in both the posi­

t ive and negative field direction s . This field induced separation or

sp l itting of the f l ame gases is evidenced, even in the region of unburnt

gases, by the broad dark fringes immediate l y above the noz z l e .

Visua l l y the luminous 'part o f the flame bends toward the negative

electrode .

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58

P late 3 - Interferogram of a pure methane diffusion f l ame .

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59

P l at e 4 - · Interferogram of a pre-mixed fuel rich methane-oxygen flame .

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•··

60

-···-- ·-·- --·--·--··---·-- - - --· - -- -

Plate S - Interferogram of a stoichiometric compos i t ion pre-mixed methane­

oxygen flame .

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6 1

Plate 6 - Interferogram o f a pure methane diffusion flame subjected to

a 500 volt/cm D . C . transverse e lectric fie l d . The negative

e lectrode i s on the right side of the field of view.

Page 88: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

62

Effects of Longitudinal E lectric Fields

Experiments were done using the coaxial ring e l ectrode and burner

arrangement, shown in Figure 8 , to determine the effects o f longitudinal

electric fields on methane-oxygen flame structures .

A general effect on visib l e flame structure was observed for each

flame mixture used. \Vith the upper e lectrode posit ive , the flame struc­

ture was broadened and inner cone height lengthened; with the upper

electrode negative, the f l ame structure became contracted and inner cone

height shortened. These effects become increasingly apparent the more

fuel rich the fl ame mixture became. A pure diffusion flame then would

exhibit the largest qualitative changes in flame structure .

Plate 7 i s representative of a steady stat ionary diffusion flame with

no appl ied fie l d . Plate 8 shows the same diffusion flame under the influ­

ence of a 500 . vo lt/cm D . C . electric field. With the top electrode

negatively charged the fringe structure i l lustrates what amount s to a

· " lifted" or "dancing" flame. The flame i s no long�r stabi l i zed on the

burner t ip but i s 1 1£10.ating" in the air . I t undergoes oscil lating motions

and frequent l y at high potent ials sparks were observed between the e lec­

trode and the flame front . The visible flame structure takes on a: much

deeper blue . color, more characteristic of a pre-mixed flame rather than

a diffusion flame.

Plate 9 shows the opposite e lectrode configuration . In this case the

top e lectrode is positively charged. A 500 volt/cm field seriously de­

forms and weakens the appearance of the flame, resulting in a great ly

shortened "buttonlike" structure. The flame is actually forced down and

burning under the e lectrode/burner tip as evidenced by the observed

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63

1 I I

Plate 7 - Interferogram of a methane diffusion f l ame with no app lied

fiel d .

Page 90: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

'ri;r 7 · --:7 • • "1.il .. �,..... ..... . .. \. \ . . ..

\ \

64

� \ � \ \ .,.,,.,.;be.. \

. . ��- · ·�·' \ \ ?T'1,�-��·:• > \\ 0

' 1- ' · ..

I

'� . · , ,,�\, . i

.� ..

Plate 8 - Interferogram of a methane diffusion flame under the influence

of a 500 volt/cm D . C . longitudinal electric f i e l d . The top

electrode i s negatively charged.

Page 91: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

65

Plate 9 - Interferogram of a methane diffusion f l ame under the influence

of a 500 volt/cm D . C . longitudinal electric field . The top

e lectrode is positively char ge d .

Page 92: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

66

fringe structure. The visib l e fl ame structure assumes a much more lumi­

nous appearance.

Upon removing the electric field the f lame returns to i t s original

state . Under either e lectrode arrangement , if the potential i s increased

to a high enough value , the flame may be extinguished. A 500 volt/cm

field appears to be approaching the minimum l imit at which flame "blow-off"

wi l l occur .

Effects of "Spraying Charge"

Interesting effects are observed when one electrode i s a l lowed to

"spray charge" , by using the configurat ion shown in Figure 9 . In each

case the flame was pure diffusion. Plate 10 shows the effects when the

ring e lectrode is positively charged. This interferogram reveals the

thermal flux in the direction of movement of the positively charged par­

t icles (t owards the negatively charged plate) and a l so a sma l l effect near

the base of the flame in the opposite direction. This is similar to what

was observed in the f l ame shown in Plate 6 , where the luminous region of

the flame moved entirely in the direction of the negative electrode . There

i s also increased turbulence in the region of the ring electrode .

The change from plane electro�es is greater when the charge sprayed

is negative . Plate 1 1 i l l ustrates the effects when the ring electrode

i s negative . There i s a deflect ion at the base of the flame towards the

negative e lectrode and the visible flame plume is shortened and pul led

downward . Again severe turbulence i s observed in the proximity of the

ring electrode.

Flame Temperature Distribution

The method outlined in the preceding sections was used to measure

the temperature distribution across the ne�r stoichiometric pre-mixed

Page 93: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

67

Plate 10 - Interferogram of a methane d i ffusion f lame under the influence

of a 500 volt/cm D . C . electric field . The ring el ectrode i s

posi t ively charged.

Page 94: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

68

Plate 1 1 - Interferogram of a methane diffusion flame under the influence

of a 500 volt/cm D . C . e l ectric fiel d . The ring e l ectrode is

negatively charged .

Page 95: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

69

methane-oxygen flame shown in P late S . The t emperature distribution, at

an e l evation of 28 . 2 m i l l imeters, was calculated by Program ABEL from the

refractive index variat ion. The results obtained are presented in Table

6 . A graph of these values is shown in Figure 1 8 . The t emperature rise

i s seen to take place over about 6 mi l l imeters, the final flame tempera­

ture being 2419 K. The flame i s very much cooler towards its extremities

and it is possibl e that much of this space is simply air, the surrounding

gas· being heated by the flame. This outer edge effect poses a problem

in that it becomes difficult to determine the chemical boundary of the

flame.

Page 96: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

70

Table 6 . Variation of temperature with radial fl ame distance, at an

elevat ion of 28 . 2 m i l l i meters , calcu lated by Program ABEL

from the refractive index variat ion .

DELR = .0420

RM = 3 . 854

ETAO = 1 . 0002580

R (MM) INDEX OF RE FRACTION TEMPERATURE (K)

o . oo 1 . 0000284 24 1 9 . 0 0 . 4 2 1 . 0000289 2374 . 5 0 . 84 1 . 0000301 2278 . J 1 . 26 1 . 00003 19 2148 . 4 1 . 68 l .000034 7 1 9 7 7 . 3 2 . 10 1 . 0000384 1 784 . 5 2 . 5 2 1 . 0000429 1600 . 6 2 . 94 1 . 0000486 1 4 1 0 . 9 3 . 36 1 . 0000554 1 2 38 . 2 3 . 78 1 . 0000634 1081 . 7 4 . 20 1 .0000728 942 . 8

4 . 62 1 . 0000837 8 1 9 . 6 5 . 04 1 . 0000959 7 1 5 . 0 5 .46 1 . 000 L lOO 623 . 7 5 . 88 1 . 0001256 546 . 4 6 . 30 1 . 0001432 479 . 1 6 . 7 2 1 . 0001631 420 . 6 7 . 14 1 . 0001877 365 . 4 7 . 56 1 . 0002055 333 . 8 7 . 98 1 . 0002200 3 1 1 . 8 8 . 4 0 1 . 0002290 299 . 6 8 . 8 2 1 . 0002356 291 . 2 9 . 24 1 . 00024 1 0 284 . 7 9 . 66 1 . 0002446 280 . 5

1 0 . 08 1 . 0002495 27S . O 10 . 50 1 . 0002532 271 . 0 1 0 . 92 1 . 0002554 268 .6 1 1 . 34 l . 0002572 266 . 7 1 1 . 76 I . 0002575 266 . 4

'•

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7 1

Figure 1 8

Th� flame temperature distribution ; variation o f temperature , T ( K) , with radial flame distance at an elevation of 28 . 2 m i l l imeters .

Page 98: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

Z(>oo

Z180

1'560

J,l.10

1.1'l0

2000

1880

1760

16-40

- 1S10 � -.... ·�00

11110 CJ a: ';) 1160 \-< � /0-40 \.al a. � no uJ ..... aoo

'Bo

S60

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3to

l.oo 0 3 ' 7 8 10 II 13

R A D IA L 0 1 5 1-ANc.C ( M M.)

Page 99: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

DISCUSSION

Flame Mixture and Opt i cal Phase Shift Different ial

The main purpose of the present section i s to correlate the system­

atic optical shifts corresponding to changes in flame mixture and

temperature.

As a progression was made from a diffusion flame (Plate 3) , .to a

fue l rich mixture (Plate 4) , to that of a near stoichiometric mi xture

(Plat e 5) , the fringe density becomes greater . This increase in fringe

density can be indirectly related to the increased t emperature of the

phase object . As the p lanar wavefront passes t hrough the heated gases

of the flame it i s advanced accord ingly in phase, which in turn is related

to the magnitude of the temperature . The phase alteration then creates

a non-planar wavefront with the advance in some proportion to the f lame

temperature. Temperature effects are not solely responsible for this

phase shift , since composition effects and flame width also p l ay a rol e .

Effects of Transverse Electric Fields

The transverse e l e�trlc flelJ app l ied between two steel plates (Figure

7) had a significant effect on the structure of a methane di ffusion flame.

It appears that the central portion of the flame contains oppositely

charged part icles of different masses, since the curvature of the two

branches are not the same for the same value of the electric field. A

clear separation of negative and positive ions has occurred .

A qualitative est imate of the mass to charge ratio of the ions can be

inferred from the different traj ectories taken by the separate branches of

72

Page 100: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

73

the flame. This can be t hought of in terms of a conventional mass spec­

trometer, which is based on the observation that with contro l led e lectron

bombardment , a molecular species wi l l produce a reproducib le stream of

ions which can be separated from one another by accelerating.

them e l ectro­

stat ically through a perpendicular electric or magnetic fie l d . The radius

of curvature of the ion path is a function of the mass-to-charge ratio .

Some caution should be used in assessing particle mass in this manner

due to the aberrations of the·

optical p l ate resulting in an inherently

higher fringe density in the left hand side of the reference space .

Figure 1 9 shows the approximate paths taken by the posit ively and

negatively ionized species and the net distort ion of the visible flame

p lume induced by electric fields (dotted l ine) . The luminous flame dis­

tortion towards the cathode arises from the fact that there are positive l y

charged carbon part icles present which give off vi sible incandescent radia�

t ion at the high combustion temperature s . Although there i s no visual

indication of a distortion of the flame toward the anode , the interfero­

gram convincingly i l lustrates a significant flux of thermal energy in

this direction. One must then conclude that the negative charge carriers

do not emit visib le radiation.

A simple thermocoup le experiment was done to determine the relative

magnitude of the thermal flux towards each e lectrode . Using the trans­

verse field e l ectrode assembly shown in Figure 7, copper/constantan

ther�ocoup les were inserted in the dead air space between the flame and

the p l ate e l ectrode, very near the e lectrode. Initial EMF readings were

recorded using an ice bath reference . A field of 1000 vo l ts/cm was

app l ied �nd final EMF readings were recorded after stab i l i zat ion had

occurred . The rat i o o f the change in EMF averaged over both polarities

is as sumed to equal the relat ive number density of the positive to nega-

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74

, ·,

. ·.

Figure 19

• I Paths taken by the ionized species and the

net wind movement (dotted l ine) induced in the fl ame .

1 1

•I

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+

I I ' I I ' ' '

' ,

, ,

I I

I I

Page 103: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

75

tive ion s .

These readings* showed that o f the ions present in the fl ame ap�roxi­

mate l y 90% were positive and 10% were nega t ive . Such an estimate can be

made since the ions present are formed in a relat ively narrow region of

the flame zone . The species giving rise to the t hermocoup l e readings wi l l

be neutral molecules of similar heat carrying capabi l i t ies being dis­

p l aced by positive and negative wind effects i nduced by the fie l d .

The interferogram in Plate 6 shows a high l y focused region of fringes

towards the negative plate . The fringes on the side of the posit ive plate

do not show near this density or focusing of fringes, which tends to sup­

port the conclusion that greater amounts of posit ive ions are present in

the flame.

Earlier findings 1 2 suggest that the mass of the posit ive ion is very

much greater �han that of the negative ion . This observation has led to

the suggestion that the negative part icles are e l ectron s . The results

here seem to indicate that the negative charge carriers outside of the

reaction zone are not e l ectrons .

I f the negative ions present are e l ectrons, then because of their

sma l l s i ze , they w i l l be unimportant in momentum transfer. The observa­

tions , though, indicate a si gnificant amount of thermal flux in the

direction of the positive e lectrode . E l ect ron s , because of a greater mean

free path, wi l l be accelerated to much hj ghcr ve locities than the pos itive

ions, making possible important reactions between electrons and molecu l e s .

*Representative thermocoup l e EMF ' s :

Initial EMF

Final EMF

Posit ive

1 . 3 mV

2 . 1 mV

Negative

1 . 3 mV

7 . 65 mV

Page 104: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

76

It i s possible that e lectrons are drawn into the periphery of the

reaction zone, where atmospheric oxygen can di ffuse into the outer

boundaries , causing the reactions

e + +

or

49 e +

This type of reasoning can be used to explain the apparent d ifferences in

the particle trajectories shown in r:igure 1 9 .

The reaction now general ly accepted a s the pr imary ionization step

i s

Cll + O � CHO+ + - 4 3 e

So init i a l l y , in the sma l l sheath of the reaction zone, a positive ion

· and an e lectron are formed. The e lectrons w i l l be rapidly accel erated

by the field and carried downstream by the flow of gases. The e l ectron

molecule attachment reactions are therefore occurring farther downstream

in the flame zone . The trajectory di fferences can then be explained as

simply being due to the difference in the coordinate of origin of the ion.

In the d iffusion flame, positive and negat ive ions are formed i n the

reac�ion zone, the former· probab ly of carbon and the latter e l ectrons.

Since the electron ' s mob i l ity is much greater than that of the pos i t ive

ion, the e lectron dens ity, except for an outer rcglon near the anode,

wi l l become much sma l ler than the positive ion concentration in the flame .

Considering this, the positive ion wi l l continue to exert a net body

force on the system as a whole .

·.

·.

Page 105: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

77

A net change in the momentum of the flame gases toward the cathode,

brought about by ionic wind s , is apparent in this case . This is the

most obvious effect . The ionic-wind-induced body force5 ' 39 acting per

unit volume of the flame gases is given by

( 2 1 )

where J i s the current density, K is the ionic mob i l ity of the positive

CK) and nega.t ive ( K _ ) charge carriers, and a+ and a are the l engths

of the electrode spaces. Weinberg assumes the negative charge carriers

are principa l l y el ectrons provided they <lo not have to travel across a

region of temperature much lower than that of their source . Under this

circumstance, even a path length of only a few m i l l imet�rs at near room

temperature suffices to generate negative charge carriers by their

attachment to neutral gas molecu l e s . The conditions for t h i s t o occur

seem t o be operative in this cas e .

The body force resu l t s in an induced wind velocity given by

(22)

where p i s the gas dens ity .

66 Huang has estimated that the induced wind ve locities range from

approx jmately 1 1 0 cm/sec in fuel rich f l ames to 140 cm/sec in lean

flames. Burning veloc i t i e s , thoup.h , range from about 34 cm/sec under

fuel rich conditions to 330 cm/sec under stoichiometric cond itions . We

can see the increasingly important ro le the wind velocity w i l l play

relative to the burn�ng velocity in fuel rich flame s . Greater aerody-

namic effects can then b e anticipated under fuel rich condition s .

Page 106: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

78

Effects of Longitudinal E l ectric F i e lds

It is clear from P l ates 8 and 9 that the imposition of an electric

field had a decided influence upon the combust ion proces s , according to

the polarity of the e l ectrode .

With the flame moving from negative to positive in an e l ectric field,

the effect wi l l be for the posit ive ions to be kept in the region of

active combustion. The field wi l l rapidly extract the free electrons

from the reaction zone impart ing a doh�ward mob i l ity of the positive ions

toward the burner head. The high fringe density around the burner con­

firms the direction of thermal flux. This turbulent flow of ions, in the

opposite direction of the flame gases, wi l l cause unburnt neutral gase s ,

i . e . CH, c2, CH3

, t o move back into the reaction zone . This w i l l a l ter

the effective f l ame mixture giving rise to an increase in the C : O and H :O

ratio in the reaction zone.

The observed broadening of the visible flame structure was taken to

· be a decrease in the speed of propogat ion of the flame, because the field

drew back into the reaction zone the ions which otherwise would have been

carried downstream by the moving gases. In view of this it may be possib l e

to increase part icle residence t imes by applying a sma l l e l ectric field so

as to hold the part icles stationary against the axial component of the i r

flow velocit y . This directed flow of fl ame gases induc ing the "fP.edhack"

of movement of product gas through the combustion zone has the result of

forcing ions to "seed" the react<111t gase s . T<1k ing note of the polarity ,

it may be possible to sustain combustion at mass flow rates where without

the field there would be no combust ion .

The change in color accompanying the appl icat ion of a positive field

i s a l so important . It is general ly bel ieved that di ffusion flames arc

ye l low because a l l the l1ydrocarbon species are not ox i d ized and large

Page 107: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

7 9

carbon particles are formed , which radiate according t o the temperature.

When the field i s applied, carbon containing ions and molecules are

forced into the reaction zone , producing C + type parti c l e s , and this n

ye l low color i s enhancen. This change in effective reacting mixture can

be simulated by an increase i n the fuel-oxygen ratio.

When the f l ame moves from positive to negative in an e lectric fie l d ,

the positive flame ions wi l l .be quickly drawn out o f the reaction ZODe,

in the same direction as the flame gas flow , into the unburnt mediwn ahead.

The laminar flow of flame gases brought about by the field gives rise to a

reduction in flame diameter. The shift i n fringe density indicates the

direction of the therma l flux. The reaction zone i s depleted of C and H

containing ions resulting in a decrease i n the effective C : O and H:O

ratios. The alteration in flame mixture is expected to increase the

burning velocity, since the reaction zone i s deprived of fue l e l emen t s .

The flame also becomes intensely blue when a negative field i s app lied.

This is bel ieved to occur since, with hydrocarbon depletion , sufficient

ai r is avai lable to comp letely oxidize the carbon particles . This change

can be simulated by a decrease in fuel-oxygen ratio.

Most of the results can. be adequately explained by the effects of

field induced ion movements and mechanical wind effects due to the body

force of the ions on neutral flame gases. In any cas e , an active role

i s ascribed to the positive ions in . the flame.

It can be postulated that the ionic wind p lays an important role

in the displ acement of species profi l e s . 1 8 f.rom emission spectra, Nakamura

observed a displacement i n CH, OH, and c2 species concentration profiles

in a di ffusion flame subjected to a longitudinal fi e l d . Place and

lfoinberg1 9 observed an increase in OH emission spectral intcnsi ty and

reduction i n CH, c 2 , and solid part i c l e emission in the pyrolysis zone

Page 108: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

80

o f an opposed - j e t di ffusion flame as a field was app lied normal to the

flame.

·Effect s of "Spraying Charge"

The type of arrangement used in focusi n g lines of current between

a ring and plate e lectrode gives the most obvious effects o f turbulent

mixing. Ions movi n g through a g.as have been shown to exert a force

F = J /K on a unit volume of gas resulting i n gas flow of increased

velocity i n the direc.tion of the fi e l d . I n this ins tance the gas fol lows

the path created by the d�ag of the heavier positive ion moving out-

ward ly. The gases removed from the center must be replaced from the

outer region, setting up a type o f whirlpool or vortex system. This

turbulent induced gas flow is expected since the i nduced wind is perpen-

.dicular to the direction of flow of the fl ame gases. The irregul arities

seen in the vi sible flame p lume and the refract i ve field anomalies

support our hypothesi s .

The small effect near the base o f the flame i s due t o the flow

pattern induced by the two opposi n g ion streams. The pyrolysis zone i s

i n a state o f flux created by the competing part i c l e flows. Fi gures 20

67 and 2 1 i l lustrate qualitatively the effects on flow pattern of the

asymmetry o f the e lectrodes (which gives rise to recirculation of gases)

or one of the charge carriers being larger than the other. This gives

rise to eddies between the e lectrode spaces and leads to deflections of

the flame.

The poss i bi l i t y of inducing turbulence , hence augmenting the mixing

and com�ustion intensity, seem evident here. The increased mixing rate

i s demonstrated most easi l y in thi s system, a di ffusion flame , in which

these processes are normal ly s low. A field of alternating polarity as

an aid i n mixing would seem to be a plausible idea .

Page 109: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

81

Figure 20 (upper)

Flow pattern observed when ion mob i l it ies and e l ectrode

distances are equa l .

Figure 2 1 ( l ower)

Flow pattern observed due to asymmetry of e lectrodes

or one larger charge carrier.

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+

+

I . '

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8 2

Effects o f Electric Fie lds on Temperature Profiles

The method used to measure the temperature in the flame was an opt i ­

cal method which yielded the d i stribution o f refract ive index. The

method gives an instantaneous photographic record which can be analyzed

at one ' s convenience.

The analysis of the interferograms was based only on the assumption

that the flame was axi a l l y symmetric . The interferograms in Plates 3 ,

4 , and S , typical o f undisturbed flame systems, can easily be treated as

symmetric phase object s . Their treatment as such, analyzed by the method

out l ined earlier, gave sat isfactory cont inuous t emperature distributions

with no inflections in the data.

Attempts to analyze interferograms of flames in longitudinal fields

resulted in phys ical ly unreasonab le discontinuj t ie s and inflections in

the calculated temperatures. These rather discouraging attempts to

quantitative l y characterize the field induced changes in thermal flux are

the result of the apparent destruction of the radial symmetry and laminar

flow of the flame gases due to the induced ion movements . Even minor

disturbances, such as convection currents in the laboratory, introduce

small errors into the analysi s . Convect ion currents lead t o "floating

fringes" in the test space due to the long air path lengths traversed by

the light beam.

The region of refractive index variat ion, shown in the interferogram,

was divided into annular e lement s , which usua l ly numbered about 3 0 , the

outermost being chosen to coincide with the first detectable change in

fringe order on the interferogram . Anything to al ter the fie l d , such as

radial heating effect s , w i l l contribute to errors in the analys i s .

The analysis was carried out on a projected enl argement o f the inter­

ferogram and calculat ions ive re done using a numerical procedure . The

Page 112: A Laser Interferometric Study of Electric Field Effects on

83

optical path difference, the weighted mean of the fringe order, yielded

the refractive index in the outermost e lement . Next consideration was

taken of the first and second e l ement traversed, with the contribution

from the first zone subtracted, to yield the refractive index in the

second zone. This process was continued to the flame axis unt i l the

entire field was covered . The errors invo l ved because of the cumulative

subtraction procedure could become extensive. Some uncertainty due to

this effect could be minimized by accurately determining the refractive

index of the surrounding air at room temperature , since this val ue pro­

vides the starting point for the calculation. The number of e l ements

could be further divided into sma l ler increments . This subdivision ,

especial ly in regions of rapi d refractive index change could make a con­

tribution to the more accurate portrayal of the temperature distribution.

It was found t hat sma l l errors in the scaling factor had a profound

influence on the temperature distribution deduced . Th i s sca l ing factor,

DELR, was init ial ly determined by ratioing the known diameter of the torch

t ip i n the test space to that of its s i ze in the projected film p l ane .

Attempts were a l so made to ratio the s i ze of the beam diameter in the

test space to that on the pr�jected enlargement . Though inaccurate , these

methods at least provided a starting point in the determinat ion of i t s

value . These endeavors to find a suitable sca l ing factor proved unsuccess­

ful since separate magnification processes are occurring because of the

dua l image forming processes involving the schl icren opt ics and the camera

optics (sec f- i gure 1 1 ) .

However, an appropr i ate scal ing factor could be found by fitt ing

data for calibration to a reference flame of known final flame temperature .

This sca l ing factor could then be used for a l l cases under the same mag-

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84

nification. This was regarded as an acceptab le method since our

interest i s in the characteri zation of changes induced in the flame by

an e lectric field. However, attempts at analysis were frustrat·ed by the

distortions from radial symmetry caused by the presence of the fie l d on

the flame. An endeavor to draw shifted or t i l te d flame axes in order to

find a symmetry axis proved unsuccessfu l .

Beyond the physical and optical prob lems encountered, composition

effects must al so be considered. A constant molar refrac t ivity, RM, was

assumed across the entire flame front . Although this is not abso lutely

correc� the calculated flame temperature is relatively insensitive to

reasonab l e changes in this parameter . Even if we had an absolute knowledge

of i t s exact radial profile in the absence of an app l ied field, we would

sti l l require a knowledge of the effect of e l ectric fie lds on flame com­

position and molar refractivity profile in order to calculate an exact

temperature prof i le .

The interpretation o f interferograms i s unamb iguous only if the index

o f refraction i s a function o f one parameter, such as temperature . I f

other processes, such as chemical change s , make a contribution t o the

optical density, then the interferograms are difficult to interpret . It

i s evident that any assessment of the effect of an e l ectric field on a

flame system necessitates a careful analysis of a l l the separate effects

that govern its production.

The Abe l transform i s c l early an inappropriate analysis procedure ,

since the characteristic radial symmetry i s destroyed by ionic wind

turbulence induced by app l ied fields. An analysis uti l i zing a numerical

inversion technique, rather than the Abel transform, would permit the

study of unsymmet rica l l y distorted flame plasmas. Holographic interfer­

ometry should be considered as an alternative to the optical method

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85

employed. This technique i s capab l e of giving a comp lete three dimensional

profi le of the interference phenomena . An infra-red study might a l so prove

useful in determining the distributions and densities of the thermal

energi e s .

It has been shown that interferometry i s certainly capable of revea l -

ing field induced changes i n f l ame structure that are not visibly apparent .

Thi s study indicates that con�entration and temperature profiles are in-

deed altered by momentum transfer between accelerated flame ions and

neutral gas molecu l e s . It �as also provided direct optical evidence for

e lectron attachment reactions outside of the flame reaction zone. Changes

in the refractive prof i l e provide a c l ear indication that positive ions

dominate the alteration of temperature and concentrat ion profi les . Those

effects are more evident under fuel rich conditions where presumab ly the

number of positively charged C+ part icles is great l y increased. Optical n

fringe densities are observed to decrease when positive ions are acceler-

ated downstream of the reaction zone, and increase with counterflow of

positive ion . These opt ical effects suggest a field induced change in

composit ion profi l e . Under fue l rich conditions the interferograms a l so

reveal direct evidence of significant turbulance resulting in field in-

duced mixing and correspond ing increases in flame ve locity and temperature .

The observations here suggest possible improvement s in hydrocarbon

combustion proce sses, mod ifications i n heat transfer rates and alterations

in species profi les , by a control of residence t i mes and trajectories of

part i c le s formed in the reaction zone. Exercising control over a reaction

by the guidance of charged species may be a possibi l it y .

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NAME : Mark D . Prairie

VITA

PERMANENT ADDRESS : Route 1 Box 31 Momence , IL 60954

DEGREE AND DATE TO BE CONFERRED : M . S . (Chemistry) December 1 9 8 2

DATE O F BIRTH: October 1 2 , 1 95 9

PLACE O F BIRTH: Kankakee , Illinois

SECONDARY EDUCATION : Momence Community High School

COLLEGIATE INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED DATE

Eastern Illinois University 1 9 7 7 - 1 9 8 1

Eastern Illinois University 1 98 1 - 1 98 2

MAJOR: Physical Chemistry

DEGREE

B . S .

M . S .

POSITION HELD : Graduate Assistant - Chemistry Department Eastern Illinois Univer sity August 1 98 1 - May 1 982

DATE OF DEGREE

May, 1 98 1

December , 1 98 2