Soot particles are generated by combustion systems when this combustion is incomplete (industries, transports, fires). It corresponds to nanoparticles having a complex morphology (fractal) and for which the composition and radiative properties are variable and poorly known. These particles have an impact on human health and climate change. Concerns about the effects of soot released into the environment have led to the implementation of increasingly strict emission regulations, even though the mechanisms involved in their impact on health or global warming are not yet fully understood.
In addition, because of their important contribution in thermal processes using their high radiant power, emissions of soot particles must be controlled. Therefore, detailed characterisation of soot in flames or once emitted into the atmosphere is crucial, especially for the validation of accurate models of soot production (size, volume fraction, morphology, composition) for their integration in CFD codes.
CORIA develops different measurement techniques for the determination of size, shape, composition, concentration (number or volume) of soot particles. Among these developments we find :
These techniques are used in flames but also for particles dispersed in the aerosol phase (e.g. for the study of their atmospheric ageing).
In addition to the development of optical techniques, CORIA has an expertise in more conventional measurement of nanoparticle aerosols:
These metrological developments are implemented in different projects in order to respond to different issues:
Ongoing PhD on these subjects : Maxime Bouvier, Ana Teresa Juarez Facio, Maxime Joret.
Associated projects : SOPRANO (EU), mobility France-Chile joint program receiving a research grant provided by Ecos/ANID C19E01, Pufbio (ANSES), Solonino (Regional project).