ABSTRACT
An instrument for in-situ determination of ash deposit temperature and emissivity has been designed and assembled. The instrument, which was designed around a single lead selenide (PbSe) detector, measures emitted and reflected radiation in the infrared region of the thermal radiation spectrum. These measurements are motivated by a desire for more accurate and physically based models of boiler performance and the lack of information on the thermal properties of ash deposits under realistic conditions. The instrument was designed to utilize readily available and relatively inexpensive components to keep its construction and operation as simple as possible, this simple design should result in a durable, reproducible, and easy-to-operate system. This is especially important for an instrument that will be used in pilot- and full-scale combustion systems. The instrument will be used to measure the temperature and emissivity of ash deposits in the radiant section of the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center's (PETC) pilot-scale combustion facility, which is nominally rated at 500,000 Btu/hr. The instrument has been constructed and is presently being calibrated.
