Mid-infrared laser absorption spectroscopy for process and emission control in the glass melting industry Part 2. Difference frequency generation based MIR laser spectrometer for glass melting furnaces

Abstract

Emerging techniques of mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy offer potentially great sensitivity and selectivity for combustion control and emission monitoring. Because of that, a difference frequency based mid-infrared absorption spectrometer has been considered for application in the glass industry. Based on preliminary tests within laboratory conditions, a spectrometer which operates at wavelengths around 5 μm was applied to online monitoring of the atmosphere of a gas fired glass melting furnace. The CO concentration was measured in order to demonstrate the feasibility of a mid-infrared absorption spectrometer for process control in the glass industry. A series of measurements was performed in situ as well as crossing the recuperator entry, resulting in general advice on the construction of a prototype device.