A Novel Optical Instrument for On-Line Measurement of Particle Size Distribution—Application to Clean Coal Technologies

Mao Cheng, Zachariah Wargel, Duarte Magalhaes and Richard Axelbaum ()
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Mao Cheng: Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
Zachariah Wargel: Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
Duarte Magalhaes: Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
Richard Axelbaum: Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: A flow cell is a critical measurement interface for many optical instruments. However, the flows are often sampled under harsh conditions, such as under high pressure and/or high temperature, in the presence of particles, moisture, vapors with high dew points or corrosive gases. Therefore, obtaining a high-optical-quality flow cell that does not perturb the measurement is a significant challenge. To address this challenge, we proposed a new flow cell that employs a unique laminar coaxial flow field (for the purge and sample flows). A test system was built to conduct particle size distribution (PSD) measurements with no sampling bias using a state-of-the-art analyzer (Malvern Panalytical Insitec). The results revealed that the measurement zone is well defined solely by the sample flow, and the optical windows are well protected by the purge flow, with minimal risk of any depositions from the sample flow. Using this flow cell, the Insitec can successfully measure PSD under high pressure and temperature under moist, corrosive conditions without generating any sampling bias. Importantly, we successfully applied this flow cell for on-line PSD measurement for the flue gas of a 100 kW th pressurized oxy-coal combustor operating at 15 bara.

Keywords: flow cell; laminar; coaxial flow field; sample flow; purge flow; particle size distribution; optical instrument; on-line measurement; high pressure; pressurized oxy-combustion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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