Visualize flame processes, understand combustion.
Reduce emissions.Analysis and Optimization of Modern Combustion Processes

Why Combustion Is the Key Lever for Optimization

The transition to sustainable energy sources changes not only the fuel but also the entire combustion behavior. Hydrogen’s high reactivity, ammonia’s slow reaction kinetics, mixed-fuel operation, and fuel switching lead to new stability limits, new emission mechanisms, and significantly more complex control requirements. Combustion determines whether an energy source is technically controllable, regulatory compliant, and economically viable. This is where process understanding, design decisions, and operating strategies directly intersect—and become technical reality.

Where Efficiency, Stability, and Emissions Are Decided

All upstream processes converge in the combustion stage. The following factors are determined here:

System Efficiency and Performance

Flame stability, operating window, and safety margins

Sources and Spatial Distribution of Emissions, Especially NOx

Regulatory Acceptability and Marketability

Targeted analysis of the flame is therefore the key not only to utilizing sustainable energy sources, but also to using them in a controlled and optimized manner.

Combustion & Emissions Analysis

In the development of modern burner and engine systems, the focus is not on examining individual effects in isolation, but rather on the systematic analysis of flame stability, emission formation, and operating limits under real-world conditions. It is crucial to quantitatively characterize flame behavior, identify critical stability limits at an early stage, and clarify the interactions between fuel, flow, and reaction kinetics.
The analysis includes a detailed investigation of flame shape, length, propagation, and dynamics, as well as the identification of flashback, blow-off, and transient effects under real-world load conditions. Different fuels, mixing ratios, and fuel-switching scenarios are evaluated comparatively to define stable operating windows and quantify safety margins.
In parallel, a spatially and temporally resolved investigation of emission formation—particularly NOx formation—is conducted. Local hotspots, temperature gradients, and reactive zones are analyzed to specifically optimize design parameters, operating points, and control strategies. The goal is to sustainably reduce emissions without compromising the system’s efficiency and performance.

Optical measurement technology is indispensable for the analysis of combustion and emissions

Combustion processes are highly dynamic, transient, and spatially highly inhomogeneous. Conventional sensor technology or exhaust gas analysis alone provides integral values—but does not capture where and why emissions occur or when stability limits are exceeded. Optical measurement technology provides a direct, spatially and temporally resolved view of flame structure, reaction zones, temperature fields, and emission formation. This makes it possible to understand and specifically influence cause-and-effect relationships between the mixture, the flame, and emissions. Combustion is thus not only monitored, but also physically analyzed and systematically optimized.

From the "
" flame to a reliable basis for decision-making

LaVision combines high-resolution imaging with quantitative analysis. Flame emissions, reactive species, temperature fields, and flow structures are not examined in isolation, but are evaluated in correlation with one another.
This results in:

reliable statements regarding flame stability,
spatially resolved emission maps,
time-resolved analyses of transient effects,
Valid input parameters for CFD and LES models.

Combustion thus transforms from a complex, difficult-to-control process into an area of optimization that can be measured and controlled.

From Flame to Emission—Targeted Analysis by Application

Based on real-world gas and mixture conditions, combustion processes can be further analyzed and optimized in a targeted manner. Depending on the fuel, reaction kinetics, and regulatory focus, different areas take center stage:

Hydrogen Combustion Analysis

Understanding, stabilizing, and safely operating highly reactive flames—from flashback prevention to low-emission design.

Ammonia Combustion Analysis

Control slow reaction kinetics, stabilize flames, and specifically reduce NOx formation—even in mixed-mode operation.

NOx Combustion Analysis

Spatially and temporally resolved NOx analysis as a basis for emissions optimization, control strategies, and regulatory compliance.

FlameStar NOx – Core Technology for Combustion and Emissions Analysis

Centralized imaging and analysis system for flame structure, dynamics, and temperature and emission distribution.

Relevant Optical Analysis Methods in Combustion

Flame Emission & Chemiluminescence Imaging

Visualization of the flame front, structure, and stability using spectrally filtered emissions (e.g., OH*).

High-Speed & Time-Resolved Imaging

Detection of rapid instabilities, flashback events, and transient effects with high temporal resolution.

Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF)

Analysis of reactive species, fuel distributions, and reaction zones in laser light sections.

PIV in Flames (Particle Image Velocimetry)

Flow fields as a link between mixing, flame stability, and emission formation.

Rayleigh Thermometry & Raman Imaging

Spatially resolved measurement of flame temperature and gas composition.

Measurable Answers to Complex Questions About Combustion Processes

How can flame stability be measured under real operating conditions?

Flame stability is quantitatively measured using optical combustion analysis with high-speed flame imaging and chemiluminescence-based imaging. This process analyzes flame shape, propagation speed, oscillations, and stability limits under real-world load conditions to precisely define stable operating windows.

How can NOx formation be analyzed at a spatial resolution?

NOx formation is investigated using laser-induced fluorescence, chemiluminescence imaging, and temperature-resolved techniques. This optical emission analysis enables the identification of NOx hotspots, local temperature peaks, and reactive zones that are not detectable by conventional exhaust gas measurements.

How are flashback and blow-off limits determined?

Flashbacks and blow-offs are visualized using high-speed imaging and time-resolved combustion diagnostics. Transient flame movements, backfires, and flame separation can be precisely detected and evaluated based on fuel type, load conditions, and geometry.

Why is optical measurement technology particularly important for hydrogen combustion?

Hydrogen combustion is characterized by high reactivity and flame propagation velocity. Optical combustion diagnostics enable the analysis of flame fronts, reaction zones, and stability limits, and support the safe design and emission optimization of H₂ systems.

How can ammonia combustion be optimized in terms of NOx emissions?

In ammonia combustion, the focus is on slow reaction kinetics and increased NOx formation. Optical measurement methods allow for spatially resolved analysis of temperature fields, reaction zones, and emission formation in order to develop low-emission operating strategies.

How are transient combustion processes analyzed?

Non-steady-state combustion phenomena such as flame oscillations, pressure fluctuations, and load changes are investigated using high-speed and time-resolved imaging. These techniques enable time-resolved analysis of dynamic effects and their influence on emissions and stability.

How does optical combustion analysis support CFD validation?

Spatially and temporally resolved measurement data on flame structure, temperature fields, and flow interactions provide valid reference parameters for the CFD validation of combustion models. This allows simulations to be calibrated to reflect real-world conditions and design decisions to be validated.

Why aren't traditional exhaust gas measurements sufficient for emissions optimization?

Conventional exhaust gas measurements provide integral emission values but do not provide information about the formation mechanisms of NOx or local temperature gradients. Optical emission analysis enables the targeted identification of emission hotspots and the physically sound optimization of geometry and operating conditions.

Analysis: Where Efficiency and Emissions Are Determined

Let’s work together to analyze how flame behavior, stability, and emissions interact in your processes—and how these factors can be specifically optimized.

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Visualize flame processes, understand combustion. Reduce emissions.Analysis and Optimization of Modern Combustion Processes