Droplet flames with radiation

An increase in droplet size with axial position is observed for all three gases. However, the relative trend of smallest droplet mean size with steam and largest with normal (unheated) air remains unchanged. As an example, at 50 mm downstream from the nozzle exit at r = 0, droplet mean size for steam, preheated air, and normal air were found to be 69, 86, and 107 pm, respectively see Fig 16.3. The droplet size with steam is also significantly smaller than air at all radial positions see Fig. 16.3. The droplet size with preheated air is somewhat smaller than normal air due to the decreased effect of preheated air at this location and increased effect of combustion. Early ignition of the mixture with preheated air (see Fig. 16.1) must provide a longer droplet residence time which results in a smaller droplet size. In addition, the increased flame radiation with preheated air increased droplet vaporization at greater distances downstream from the nozzle exit. Indeed, the results indicate that the measured droplet sizes with preheated atomization air are smaller than normal air in the center... 

Droplets entering the flame evaporate then the remaining solid vaporizes and decomposes into atoms. Many elements form oxides and hydroxides in the outer cone. Molecules do not have the same spectra as atoms, so the atomic signal is lowered. Molecules also emit broad radiation that must be subtracted from the sharp atomic signals. If the flame is relatively rich in fuel (a rich flame), excess carbon tends to reduce metal oxides and hydroxides and thereby increases sensitivity. A lean flame, with excess oxidant, is hotter. Different elements require either rich or lean flames for best analysis. The height in the flame at which maximum atomic absorption or emission is observed depends on the element being measured and the flow rates of sample, fuel, and oxidizer.6... 

The fundamental function of atomizers in AAS is simply to produce atoms. The basic steps carried out continuously in flame atomization are (i) Nebulization (conversion of sample into droplets leaving small particles) (ii) Desolvation (removal of solvent) (iii) Atomization (thermal or chemical breakdown of solid particles) (iv) Measurement (interaction with radiation) ... 

Steam-assist flares use high pressure steam to entrain surrounding air and inject it into the core of the flare gas stream. The rapid mixing of the steam and air with the flare gas helps reduce soot formation that tends to lower the flame radiant fraction. Figure 30.14 shows a steam-assisted flare operating under identical flare gas flow conditions with and without steam-assist. Notice without steam-assist, the flame is more luminous and contains more soot this results in higher radiant fractions. The fraction of heat radiated from a flame can also be greatly increased by the presence of liquid droplets in the gas. Droplets within a hot flame can easily be converted to soot [21]. 

To measure an atomic absorption signal, the analyte must be converted from dissolved ions in aqueous solution to reduced gas phase free atoms. The overall process is outlined in Fig. 6.16. As described earlier, the sample solution, containing the analyte as dissolved ions, is aspirated through the nebulizer. The solution is converted into a fine mist or aerosol, with the analyte still dissolved as ions. When the aerosol droplets enter the flame, the solvent (water, in this case) is evaporated. We say that the sample is desolvated . The sample is now in the form of tiny solid particles. The heat of the flame can melt (liquefy) the particles and then vaporize the particles. Finally the heat from the flame (and the combustion chemistry in the flame) must break the bonds between the analyte metal and its anion, and produce free M° atoms. This entire process must occur very rapidly, before the analyte is carried out of the observation zone of the flame. After free atoms are formed, several things can happen. The free atoms can absorb the incident radiation this is the process we want. The free atoms can... 

Scattered radiation interference is greater with a total-consumption burner than with premixed systems. Larger and more nonuniform droplet sizes are observed with total-consumption burner systems. The area of observation in a flame also is a factor in scattered radiation interference. Figure 11-3 illustrates this effect. Scattering is greater in both turbulent... 

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