Carbon Monoxide Concentration Measurements in Fuel Cell Environments Using Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS): An Assessment

Published

February 19, 2017

Author(s)

William M. Pitts

Abstract

This report is an analysis of the potential of tunable laser diode absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) for recording carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in hydrogen fuel cell environments characteristic of those present during reforming of organic fuels. Typical gaseous compositions, temperatures, and pressures are taken from a recent report that identifies the measurement of CO as the most important diagnostic need in fuel cell applications. High-resolution spectra are calculated in the region of the CO fundamental and first and second overtone vibrational bands in order to identify lines with the maximum absorption that minimize interference from other absorbing species expected to be present in the fuel cell gas mixture. The most promising rovibronic transitions are tabulated for the three spectral regions. The current state of diode laser development for applications in the near- and mid-infrared is summarized with a special focus on their application to CO concentration measurements in fuel cell environments.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 6810

Report Number

6810

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

absorption coefficients, carbon monoxide, concentration measurement, diode lasers, fuel cells, HITRAN, TDLAS

Citation

Pitts, W. (2017), Carbon Monoxide Concentration Measurements in Fuel Cell Environments Using Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS): An Assessment, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed March 14, 2025)