Thermal properties measurements in biodiesel oils using photothermal techniques

Frequency analysis of temperature-dependent interferometric signal for the measurement of the temperature coefficient of refractive index

A method of frequency analysis for the measurement of the temperature coefficient of refractive index (dn/dT) using a Fabry-Perot interferometer was developed and tested against ethanol and water. The temperature-dependent interferometric signal described by Airy's formula was analyzed in both the temperature and frequency domains. By fast Fourier transform, a low-pass filter was designed and employed to eliminate the noise superimposed on the signal. dn/dT was determined accurately from the noise-removed signal by peak analysis. Furthermore, the signal frequency parameters may be utilized for the material thermophysical property characterization. This method lays the foundation for an online dn/dT instrument for monitoring chemical processes.

Thermal lens spectroscopy for the differentiation of biodiesel-diesel blends

Thermal lens (TL) spectroscopy was applied to biofuels to test its potential to distinguish diesel from biodiesel in blended fuels. Both the heat and mass diffusion effects observed using a TL procedure provide significant information about biodiesel concentrations in blended fuels. The results indicate that the mass diffusivity decreases 32% between diesel and the blend with 10% biodiesel added to the diesel. This simple TL procedure has the potential to be used for in loco analyses to certify the mixture and quality of biodiesel-diesel blends.

A dual-beam photothermal reflection based system for thermal diffusivity measurement of optically dense liquids

A dual-beam photothermal reflection based system capable to measure thermal diffusivities of optically dense liquids has been designed and implemented. The large optical absorption coefficient of these liquids inhibits the possibility to use conventional transmission instruments for direct thermal diffusivity measurements. To overcome this problem, a front heating front detection photothermal reflection system has been proposed. This method expands the range of application and simplifies the experimental procedure of traditional photothermal methods, allowing precise measurement of thermal diffusivity of a variety of liquids. Measurements of the change in thermal diffusivity with the concentration of asphaltene in toluene solutions are described to test the applicability of this technique for reliable measurements of thermal diffusivities of optically dense liquids.

Temperature-dependent optical properties of Intralipid measured with frequency-domain photon-migration spectroscopy

We present the temperature dependence of absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of 1.8% Intralipid measured by frequency-domain photon-migration spectroscopy between 710 and 850 nm. These measurements were made in the physiologically relevant 30 to 40 degrees C temperature range. The temperature coefficients for absorption were consistent during heating and cooling and follow closely other reported results. The change in absorption coefficient at 740 nm suggests that a minimum temperature change of 4 degrees C is observable within the error limits. We found that the reduced scattering coefficient shows a hysteresis with temperature at 740 nm. The temperature coefficient for reduced scattering determined from heating cycle measurements agrees with theory and other measurements within the error limits.

Effects of residue and antioxidant on thermo-optical properties of biodiesel

Thermal lens (TL) spectrometry was applied to soybean biodiesel samples, in order to assess the behavior of their thermo-optical properties during the preparation before and after the washing process. The study was based on the thermal diffusivity parameter, which is highly sensitive and is related to the chemical composition of the sample. The results showed a difference of approximately 20% between the initial (unwashed) and the final (washed) steps of biodiesel production. This behavior indicates that the residue of the biodiesel production influences the thermal diffusivity value. Consequently, TL spectrometry can be a useful methodology for certifying the quality of biodiesel during production.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy measurement in methane and biodiesel flames using an ungated detector

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been applied to measure the equivalence ratio of CH(4)/air flames using gated detection. In this work, we have developed an ungated, miniature LIBS-based sensor for studying CH(4)/air and biodiesel flames. We have used this sensor to characterize the biodiesel flame. LIBS spectra of biodiesel flames were recorded with different ethanol concentrations in the biodiesel and also at different axial locations within the flame. The sensor performance was evaluated with a CH(4)/air flame. LIBS signals of N, O, and H from a CH(4)/air flame were used to determine the equivalence ratio. A linear relationship between the intensity ratio of H and O lines and the calculated equivalence ratio were obtained with this sensor.