A real-time on-line measurement of iodine flow rate based on absorption spectroscopy

Iodine flow rate (IFR) measurement is an essential diagnostic tool in the research and optimization of chemical oxygen–iodine laser (COIL) system. Venturi meter or absorption spectroscopy was used to monitor IFR. But it is difficult for Venturi meter to precisely measure IFR. Simple absorption spectroscopy has trouble monitoring IFR due to the contamination on diagnostic windows and aerosol scattering. An advanced absorption spectroscopy for measuring IFR was described in this paper. The method utilizes two wavelengths (e.g. 470 nm and 365 nm) to distinguish between iodine vapor absorption and other optical losses (e.g. contamination and aerosol scattering). It can easily eliminate the influence of the serious contamination and aerosol scattering on IFR measurement and obtain a reliable IFR. The method is about to apply in COIL studies as a routine diagnostic tool.