(181c) Imaging Combustion Flames Using Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography

Flames are commonly encountered in burners such as internal combustion engines and natural gas fired plants. Visualization of flames in burners is still a challenge and is desired for optimization of the combustion process and burner design. Flames introduce charged particles, ions, and variations to electrical properties in the flame vicinity. This change in permittivity and conductivity induced by flames enables the use of electrical sensors for flame imaging. Electrical capacitance volume tomography (ECVT) is an effective electrical permittivity imaging tool that can be applied for imaging flames and combustion. In this study, an ECVT sensor is developed for the visualization of flames in a testing duct. The position, length and three-dimensional shape, and dynamic development of flames in the testing duct will be investigated using ECVT. The three-dimensional dynamic behaviors of flames obtained by ECVT are geared toward applying ECVT for the design of burners for increased efficiency. This visualization will also aid in reducing combustion emissions through optimization of the combustion process.