HITRAN/HITEMP Spectral Databases and Uncertainty Propagation by Means of Monte Carlo Simulation with Application to Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Diagnostics

A merged HITRAN2008/HITEMP2010 spectral database and the distribution of spectral database parameters uncertainty was compiled for the two most prevalent combustion by-product gases, H2O and CO2. A Monte Carlo based uncertainty analysis methodology for application to tunable diode lasers or other high spectral resolution measurements was developed. This technique was applied in a sensitivity analysis of absorption measurements. Seven different representative data reduction methods were applied to four different hypothetical measurement scenarios typical of high-speed flow diagnostics. Through the use of the Monte Carlo analysis, the key input parameters that affect the uncertainty in retrieved gas temperatures, absorbing specie number density, velocity, and total number density were identified. Rough estimates of uncertainties in gas properties based on uncertainties of spectral parameters in the merged HITRAN2008/HITEMP2010 database were provided. Recommendations for further investigations, improvements, as well as guidance in the use of a Monte Carlo based analysis are presented. The original document contains color images.