Interfacing a laser induced breakdown spectroscopy system with a plasma torch control computer for hazardous waste process control

Toxic metal emissions from various waste processing off-gas systems present a potential health hazard The measurement of toxic metals in real-time in stack emissions is required to control the quantities of these species emitted into the atmosphere. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a laser based optical diagnostic technique which has been used to detect certain atomic and molecular species in various environments. The toxic metal concentration in stack emissions can be monitored in realtime with LIBS to provide necessary control for the waste treatment process. This paper describes the details of interfacing LIBS with a plasma torch control system during a plasma torch waste treatment test with simulated surrogate feed The results of this test are also presented.