Abstract
This study demonstrates trace element measurement using laser diagnostics. A LIBS technique has been applied to detect alkali metals under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, and an automated LIBS unit has been developed and applied in a month-long monitoring experiment. The results were compared to those obtained using the conventional sampling method, and good agreement was found. LIBS can detect Na and K at ppb levels, even under the high-pressure conditions of PFBC and IGCC thermal power plants. LIBS is capable of a 1-minute detection time, as opposed to the 20-hour sampling time required by the conventional method, and offers various advantages as a tool for actual plant monitoring.
