Paper 13026-15
Paper 13026-15
FuelScan: Portable LIBS for trace metals in fuels
National Harbor 4
Abstract
Development of a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)-based person-portable instrument for the measurement of sub-ppm concentrations of metals in fuels. This paper updates the development to summarize performance of the final portable prototype sensor. This sensor technology is important for the rapid field analysis of fuels, and confirmation of a safe level of metal contamination that precludes the potential for fast (catalyzed) thermal degradation. Qualified batches of fuels may be distributed with assurance of good performance, and without significant holdup time for the analysis.
Presenter
Richard T. Wainner
Physical Sciences Inc. (United States)
Dr. Wainner received his B.S. with honors in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida in 1992 and his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering in 1999 at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Wainner’s doctoral studies concentrated on the application of laser diagnostics in combustion environments. On joining the staff at Physical Sciences Inc. in January 2001, he has been heavily involved in projects aimed at miniaturization and commercialization of sensors based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) and laser- and spark-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS/SIBS). Recently, Dr. Wainner has also led the development of concentrated solar power (CSP) and fiber-optic relay for space applications, including the production of structural elements from molten and reformed Lunar regolith glass. Recent LIBS developments are focused on developing a consistent, reproducible, and accurate method for analyzing liquid samples for metals content.