Laser-Induced Fluorescence for measuring salt mass fraction in evaporating saline solutions

Abstract

A non-intrusive optical diagnostic based on Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) is developed for measuring salt mass fraction in highly concentrated aqueous solutions relevant to absorption heat pump applications. The method relies on a systematic redshift of the fluorescence emission spectra of several dyes, likely induced by an increase of ionic strength with salt mass fraction. A two-color ratiometric approach, based on the ratio of fluorescence intensities in two spectral bands, enables robust mass fraction measurements. This study demonstrates that the techniques is not limited to LiBr but also NaCl, relevant for desalination applications. In parallel, fluorescence lifetime measurements using Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) reveals that fluorescence lifetime is also affected by the LiBr mass fraction, allowing an alternative measurement technique. For both techniques, many dyes are tested and are compared in terms of salt mass fraction sensitivity. Both techniques are validated independently through comparison with shadowgraphbased measurements during evaporation of droplets. Good agreement is obtained in liquid-phase conditions over a wide range of salt mass fractions, confirming the reliability of the proposed diagnostics. Key sources of uncertainty including temperature, reabsorption effects and phase changes has been identified and analyzed. Finally, preliminary results demonstrate the potential extension of the approach toward planar imaging of evaporating droplets and more complex multiphase flows. The methodology provides a basis for future quantitative diagnostics of heat and mass transfer in desorption systems such as falling-films.