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A burning rate emulator for study in microgravity

  • Y. Zhang
  • , M. J. Bustamante
  • , P. B. Sunderland
  • , J. G. Quintiere
  • , P. Ferkul

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

A gas-fueled burner with embedded heat flux gages has been used to emulate the burning characteristics of several liquid and solid fuels. Dubbed the Burning Rate Emulator (BRE), it establishes the heat of gasification (L) in steady burning by measurements of surface temperature, incident flame heat flux, and flow rate of a gaseous fuel mixture. The mixture is selected with appropriate properties such as the heat of combustion and radiation character by the soot point. Results are shown to accurately emulate methanol, heptane, and PMMA pool fires of 50 mm in diameter. Used in a microgravity environment, a BRE can readily identify stable and steady burning conditions yielding relevant fuel properties: heat of gasification, surface temperature, heat of combustion, and smoke point. These properties identify a potential real condensed-phase fuel that can burn in microgravity. Repeated experiments identify a range of fuel conditions that can support microgravity burning. The flammability region is bounded by extinction values, and critical conditions needed for ignition can also be established. The plausibility of the BRE has been demonstrated for normal gravity conditions, and a burner without heat-flux sensors has achieved an appearance of steady burning in the NASA 2.2-s drop tower. Recent tests with a 50-mm-diameter burner including heat flux measurements conducted in a 5.18-s drop facility have indicated stable flames with ethylene.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication8th US National Combustion Meeting 2013
PublisherWestern States Section/Combustion Institute
Pages1469-1482
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9781627488426
StatePublished - 2013
Event8th US National Combustion Meeting 2013 - Park City, United States
Duration: 19 May 201322 May 2013

Publication series

Name8th US National Combustion Meeting 2013
Volume2

Conference

Conference8th US National Combustion Meeting 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPark City
Period19/05/1322/05/13

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