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Fourier Transform Spectrometer for Continuous Flue Gas Monitoring
EPA Contract Number: 68D40058Title: Fourier Transform Spectrometer for Continuous Flue Gas Monitoring
Investigators: Green, Ben A.
Small Business: Remote Spectral Capture Inc.
EPA Contact: Manager, SBIR Program
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1994 through March 1, 1995
Project Amount: $55,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1993)
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , SBIR - Monitoring and Analysis
Description:
Power plant and incinerator emission control can be improved by continuous monitoring and measuring many constituents of flue gas at a time. Currently, such monitoring is done as separate batch processes requiring costly and time consuming laboratory analyses. An unattended fiber-optic chemical sensor that continuously analyzes laser-induced Raman or fluorescent signature for multi-contaminants can solve this continuous monitoring problem. Conventional spectrometers require long optical paths, precise mechanical scanning of optical components, and post processing time that is incompatible with real-time continuous monitoring and process control. This project constructs and tests a new type of Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) that marries a fiber-optic light delivery and collection system with a common-path interferometer and a unique solid-state light sensor that provides light detection and spectral processing on a single integrated circuit. The project will integrate the FTS technology with existing Raman and laser-induced fluorescence detection techniques. The new FTS promises to be much smaller and more stable than conventional spectrometers and optical multichannel analyzers, while retaining high speed and high sensitivity. The results will be a commercially available instrument capable of continuous monitoring and control process effectiveness measurement. Supplemental Keywords:Fiber Optic Remote Sensing Flue Gas Fourier Transform Spectrometer. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Air, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, flue gases, laser induced fluorescence, remote sensing, fiber optic remote sensing, monitoring, fourier transform spectrometer (FTS), continuous monitoring, continuous emissions monitoring, multiple pollutant monitor, fiber optics