Measurement of the degree of mixing of carbon-containing gases with air by the method of probe discharge spectroscopy

A method based on spectral analysis of the radiation of a low-power high-voltage electric discharge is proposed for the estimation of the degree of mixing of hydrocarbon fuels with air and nitrogen. The transition bands $\mathrm {N}_2(C^3P_u \to B^3P_g{,}\,0$–$2)$ and $\mathrm{CN}(B^2\Sigma^+ \to X^2\Sigma^+{,}\,0$–$0)$ were selected for analysis. A series of calibration measurements was carried out for several model mixtures. The range of applicability of the method with respect to the concentration of carbon-containing gas is determined. The proposed approach is used to assess the effectiveness of the intensification of the mixing a jet of gaseous fuel with air by a powerful pulsed discharge.