Simultaneous planar laser-induced incandescence, OH planar laser-induced fluorescence, and droplet Mie scattering in swirl-stabilized spray flames

Simultaneous planar laser-induced incandescence, hydroxyl radical planar laser-induced fluorescence, and droplet Mie scattering are used to study the instantaneous flame structure and soot formation process in an atmospheric pressure, swirl-stabilized, liquid-fueled, model gas-turbine combustor. Optimal excitation and detection schemes to maximize single-shot signals and avoid interferences from soot-laden flame emission are discussed. The data indicate that rich pockets of premixed fuel and air along the interface between the spray flame and the recirculation zone serve as primary sites for soot inception. Intermittent large-scale structures and local equivalence ratio are also found to play an important role in soot formation.