Spectroscopical characterisation of carbon-containing aerosols formed in rich premixed flames

It is well known that carbonaceous aerosols (or high molecular mass structures) are formed during the pyrolysis and the rich combustion of hydrocarbons. The physical and chemical characterization of these aerosols may be carried out employing different effects such as mass spectrometry, electron microscopy, mobility analysis, etc. This paper will deal with the "in situ" characterization of combustion generated aerosols with u.v.-visible extinction, laser induced fluorescence and light scattering techniques.