Particulate detection in turbine exhaust using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

摘要

The ability to monitor the health of an aircraft engine is desirable in a diagnostic test cell. The work described in this paper discusses testing efforts to develop a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) system for monitoring the exhaust gas from a turbine engine. The goal of this effort is the detection of metallic particles within the exhaust stream of the turbine engine. The particulate matter may be derived from wear of engine components including blades, bearings, and casings. As described in the paper, a magnesium chloride (MgCl) solution was injected into the exhaust nozzle of a turbine engine, and the LIBS plasma spark was formed within the exhaust stream exiting the nozzle. The LIBS system demonstrated the ability to detect Mg within the exhaust stream during the seeded flow. The LIBS system also detected the presence other particulate matter during the testing.