Quantitative infrared absorption imaging of vapor concentration fields during evaporation

Abstract

Quantitative full-field measurements of vapor concentration remain challenging near receding liquid-gas interfaces. We develop and quantitatively assess an infrared absorption imaging method for measuring vapor mole-fraction fields during evaporation. Broadband mid-infrared attenuation is converted into mole fraction using a spectrally weighted absorption coefficient. A vertical Hele-Shaw cell provides a controlled, nearly one-dimensional evaporation benchmark, with calibrated object-plane sampling of $30.5\,μ\mathrm{m/pixel}$. Small transverse concentration variations in the central measurement region justify reducing the two-dimensional fields to axial profiles. Five profiles spanning different retained gas-phase interval lengths and three hydrocarbon liquids are compared with Stefan predictions using only measured interval lengths and endpoint concentrations, without fitting interior concentration data. At the higher vapor loading of n-pentane, the measurements resolve the nonlinear Stefan concentration profile and distinguish it from the linear diffusion limit. At the lower vapor loadings of n-hexane and n-heptane, the profiles progressively approach that dilute limit. The profiles agree with Stefan predictions, with normalized root-mean-square deviations of 0.0055-0.0185, and collapse onto the predicted identity relation after the logarithmic Stefan transformation. These results demonstrate quantitative recovery of both the magnitude and spatial structure of vapor concentration fields under the tested conditions. The method provides a full-field, tracer-free diagnostic for investigating evaporating flows in geometries and regimes where analytical concentration fields are unavailable.