Hot gas flow cell for optical measurements on reactive gases

A new design is presented for a gas flow cell for reactive gases at high temperatures. The design features three heated sections that are separated by flow windows. This design avoids the contact of reactive gases with the material of the exchangeable optical windows. A gas cell with this design was validated for high resolution measurements at temperatures of up to 800K (527°C) in the ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) regions (190–20000nm). Verification of the gas temperature in the cell is provided by a thermocouple and emission/transmission measurements in the IR and UV regions. High-resolution measurements are presented for the absorption cross-section of sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the UV range up to 773K (500°C). •New design presented for a gas flow cell for reactive gases up to 800K.•Design avoids contact with optical windows.•Design verified by different methods for the IR and UV regions.•High-resolution absorption cross-section presented for SO2 in UV up to 773K.