Photothermal Detection of Adulterants in Automotive Fuels

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a new, simple, and fast photothermal method for detecting the presence of adulterants in commercial gasolines. The method consists essentially of measuring the time evolution of the gasoline vapor in an originarily air-filled closed cell using a pyroelectric sensor. The transient photothermal signal amplitude data fitting yields two parameters, namely, a saturation signal amplitude and the characteristic time for approaching saturation. From the values, two figures of merit are defined. The method was tested with a universe of 210 commercial samples collected in different gas stations. It is shown that the proposed method has an uncertainty of 5.7%. This good accuracy, together with its simplicity and fast response, may render it useful for developing a portable device for fast checking in field analysis.

Water Transport Monitoring in Calcium Carbonate Stones by Photoacoustic Spectroscopy

“…PA techniques have been used to monitor in real time, the evolution of different processes, such as oxygen release during the photosynthesis process and oxygen evolution in plants [18,22], gas adsorption and desorption in porous substances [23,24], realtime monitoring of the gas concentration in a binary gas mixture [25], detection of adulterants in automotive fuels [26], evaporation dynamics [27], effects of changes in geometry on the PA signal when a solvent is evaporated inside of a ring [28,29], etc.…”

Effect of Fuel Adulteration on Engine Crankcase Dilution

“…The similar density, distillation characteristics and financial factor very strongly indicates to adulteration of petrol using gas-field distillates, which have been supported by some information gathered during the field-survey. However detailed chemical or Photo-thermal analysis [5] of the fuel samples and contaminated lubricant could be more confirmatory but those were beyond the scope of this investigation.…”

“…Hence the focus of the investigation was concentrated on possible fuel adulterations. Although less common in the developed world, the effect of fuel adulteration on engine performance have been studied experimentally [4,5] and statistically [6] resulting poor engine exhaust emission [7,8] in a number of places.…”

Photothermal Study of the Formation Dynamics of Fumed Silica Thin Films

“…PT techniques have been used to monitor in real time, the evolution of different processes, such as oxygen release during the photosynthesis process [5,9], gas adsorption and desorption in porous substances [10,11], real-time monitoring of the gas concentration in a binary gas mixture [12], detection of adulterants in automotive fuels [13], evaporation and contraction dynamics of droplets on metallic surfaces [14], effects of changes in geometry on the photoacoustic (PA) signal when a solvent is evaporated inside of a ring [15,16], among others.…”