MONITORING POWER PLANT EFFICIENCY USING THE MICROWAVE-EXCITED PHOTOACOUSTIC EFFECT TO MEASURE UNBURNED CARBON

Three test instruments are being evaluated to determine the feasibility of using photoacoustic technology for measuring unburned carbon in fly ash. The first test instrument is a single microwave frequency system previously constructed to measure photo-acoustic signals in an off-line configuration. This system was assembled and used to test parameters thought important to photo-acoustic signal output. A standard modulation frequency was chosen based upon signal to noise data gained from experimentation. Sample heterogeneity was tested and found not to be influential. Further testing showed that sample compression and photo-acoustic volume do affect photo-acoustic signal with photoacoustic volume being the most influential. Testing in the fifth quarter focused on microwave power stability. Simultaneously, a second instrument is being constructed based in part on lessons learned with the first instrument, but also expands the capabilities of the first instrument by allowing a spectrum of microwave frequencies to be tested up to 10 GHz. The power amplifiers for this second instrument were completed and tested. Improvements were made to the current leveling loop, which will stabilize the microwave power. This loop is currently in operation with the single frequency cell. Discriminatory measurements are continuing in an attempt to differentiate between magnetic contaminants such as iron and non-magnetic contaminants such as carbon. A short coaxial test fixture was fabricated and tested showing the promise of another microwave based test method for determining carbon content in fly ash. Preliminary design iterations for the third on-line instrument (based on the experiences of the first two instruments) have begun