Measuring particulate matter in a fluid

Abstract

A device for measuring near forward scatter caused by particulate matter in a fluid is disclosed. The device comprises, according to various embodiments, a transceiver and a reflector. The transceiver includes a light source and a detector. The reflector is positioned opposite the transceiver so that at least a portion of the fluid is present between the transceiver and the reflector. The reflector includes a front portion facing the transceiver. Optical energy from the light source incident upon the reflector is reflected towards the transceiver as a return beam of optical energy, wherein the detector senses primarily optical energy of the return beam that is scattered over a range of near forward angles by particulate matter in the fluid.

1 . A device for measuring near forward scatter of light caused by particulate matter in a fluid, the device comprising: 
 a transceiver, the transceiver comprising: 
 a light source for projecting a light beam through the fluid; and  
 a detector positioned on the same side of the fluid as the light source; and  
   a reflector positioned opposite the transceiver so that at least a portion of the fluid is present between the transceiver and the reflector, wherein the reflector includes a front portion facing the transceiver, such that optical energy from the light source of the transceiver incident upon the reflector is reflected towards the transceiver as a return beam of optical energy, wherein primarily optical energy of the return beam that is scattered over a range of near forward angles by particulate matter in the fluid reaches the detector.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the range of near forward angles is between 1 and 5 degrees.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the front portion of the reflector includes a lens.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the front portion of the reflector includes a convex lens including a non-transmissive central portion.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the front portion of the reflector includes a concave wedge shaped lens.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the concave wedge shaped lens includes a non-transmissive central portion.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the front portion of the reflector includes a convex wedge shaped lens.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the convex wedge shaped lens includes a non-transmissive central portion.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the transceiver further comprises a second light source with a wavelength different than a wavelength of the first light source.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the lens includes a non-transmissive central portion.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising means for replacing the lens of the reflector with a second, differently shaped lens.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising means for replacing the reflector with a second reflector.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the second reflector includes a front portion facing the transceiver, such that optical energy from the light source of the transceiver incident upon the second reflector is reflected towards the transceiver as a return beam of optical energy, wherein primarily optical energy of the return beam that is scattered over a second range of near forward angles by particulate matter in the fluid reaches the detector.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the return beam crosses itself in the field of view of the detector.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, a laser diode, and an incandescent source.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is mounted on an exhaust stack and is for measuring particulate matter present in an exhaust stream in the exhaust stack.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is mounted in a diversion chamber and is for measuring particulate matter present in a fluid that has been diverted from an exhaust stream into the diversion chamber.  
   
   
       18 . A system for monitoring particulate matter in a fluid comprising: 
 a transceiver, comprising: 
 a light source for projecting a light beam through the fluid; and  
 a detector; and;  
   a reflector assembly positioned opposite the transceiver so that at least a portion of the fluid is present between the transceiver and the reflector assembly, the reflector assembly comprising: 
 a first reflector including a front portion facing the transceiver, such that, when the first reflector is in the path of the light beam from the light source, optical energy from the light source incident upon the reflector is reflected towards the transceiver as a return beam of optical energy, wherein primarily optical energy of the return beam that is scattered over a range of near forward angles by particulate matter in the fluid;  
 a second optical device; and  
 means for cyclically moving the first reflector and the second optical device into the path of the light beam from the light source.  
   
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the second optical device includes an extinction reflector.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the reflector assembly further includes an absorbing device, and wherein the means for cyclically moving is further for cyclically moving the first reflector, the second optical device and the absorbing device into the path of the light beam from the light source.