A tunable diode laser (TDL) adsorption apparatus will be used for studying the chemistry of diffusion flames. TDL absorption offers the capability for the analysis of a great many species in particle-laden combustion flows. Specifically, carbon monoxide, methyl radical, and acetylene will be measured in the sooty and soot-free regions of a laminar methane/air diffusion flame. Methyl radical profiles will be compared to those established by scavenger probe/mass spectrometry and multi-photon ionization techniques. The TDL instrumentation will allow quantification of important intermediate species formed in diffusion flames, giving insight into soot formation and control mechanisms.
