Characterization of the thermal properties of gases using a thermal wave interferometer

• Published in: Measurement science & technology Vol. 12; no. 11; pp. 1949 - 1955
• Main Authors: Lima, J A P, Marín, E, Silva, M G da, Sthel, M S, Schramm, D U, Cardoso, S L, Vargas, H, Miranda, L C M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.11.2001; Institute of Physics
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Interferometers; Optical instruments, equipment and techniques; Physics; Physics of gases; Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges; Thermodynamic properties, equations of state; Characterization; Thermal properties; Methodology; Thermal conductivity; Thermal diffusivity; Combustion; Modelling; Thermal wave; Gas analysis; Binary mixtures; Interferometers
• ISSN: 0957-0233; 1361-6501
• DOI: 10.1088/0957-0233/12/11/326

A method suitable for the thermal characterization of gases is described. It is based on thermal wave interference (TWI) in a cavity. A TWI device was constructed and the thermal diffusivity of different binary gas mixtures as a function of their relative concentrations was measured. From these values, using a logarithm mixing model for the thermal conductivity of a 2-phase gas system, the thermal properties of the corresponding pure gases were calculated. The data obtained for several test gases show good agreement with values reported in the literature. (Original abstract)