Plasma and Fusion Research

Volume 15, 2405008 (2020)

Regular Articles


Analysis of Hydrocarbons in the Exhaust Gas of a Fusion Test Device Using Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy
Masahiro TANAKA1,2), Hiromi KATO1) and Naoyuki SUZUKI1)
1)
National Institute for Fusion Science, 322-6 Oroshi-cho, Toki, Gifu 509-5292, Japan
2)
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, 322-6 Oroshi-cho, Toki, Gifu 509-5292, Japan
(Received 29 November 2019 / Accepted 5 February 2020 / Published 14 April 2020)

Abstract

To investigate the behavior of hydrogen isotopes in a large fusion test device, a new technique using infrared absorption spectroscopy is applied for the monitoring of hydrocarbons in exhaust gas. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy combined with a gas cell, which has an optical path length of 16 m, was installed at the plasma exhaust line. In this configuration, the detection limit of CH4, C2H6, C2H4, and CO is at the level of sub-ppm. The exhaust gas observations were conducted during hydrogen glow discharge and during the regeneration operation of cryosorption pumps during the hydrogen plasma phase. As a result, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide were detected in the exhaust gas, and the exhaust behavior and the ratio of gas components were determined. It is also demonstrated that light and the heavy hydrocarbons can be discriminated by the FT-IR system. Our infrared absorption spectroscopy study provides positive prospects for its application to exhaust gas analyses.


Keywords

exhaust gas monitoring, hydrocarbons analysis, FT-IR, long optical path gas cell, deuterium plasma experiment, large fusion test device

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.15.2405008


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