An ultrafast optical sensor for simultaneous detection of NH3 temperature and concentration based on ultraviolet absorption spectral redshift combined with spectral reconstruction

Abstract

As a renewable and carbon-free fuel with high energy density, ammonia (NH3) is a promising alternative to fossil fuels. Real-time detection of its temperature and concentration is significant in improving NH3 combustion efficiency. In this paper, we report an optical sensor, which enables simultaneous measurement of temperature and concentration of NH3. The key idea is to acquire the temperature of NH3 through absorption spectral redshift, and determine its concentration by building three-dimensional field map combined with spectral reconstruction. Firstly, we explain the generation mechanism of temperature-induced redshift in ultraviolet differential absorption spectrum based on energy level distribution theory. The relationship between spectral redshift and temperature is then established using spectral autocorrelation algorithm. Secondly, a spectral reconstruction method based on absorbed intensity mapping wavelength is proposed to ensure real-time detection of NH3. Finally, a three-dimensional field map between temperature, reconstruction slope, and concentration is constructed to achieve the detection. Results indicated that the mean relative error in temperature measurement was 1.04% and the mean absolute error in concentration detection was 0.26mg/m3 in air. Additionally, the NH3 sensor enabled long-term detection with a detection limit of 15.50μg/m2, demonstrating its potential to broaden the application of NH3 as a fuel.