Microgravity combustion of isolated n-decane and n-heptane dropletsThis paper presents recent experimental results on n-heptane droplet combustion from a 5.0 second Zero-Gravity Facility. For these experiments, droplet sizes from 1 mm to 1.75 mm were studied, oxygen mole fractions in nitrogen ranged from 12 to 21 percent, and the pressure was varied from 0.25 to 1 atm. Disruptive burning mechanisms were observed in some of the experiments conducted in air environments. However, this behavior was inhibited by reducing the oxygen concentration and/or the system pressure. The above results suggest that combinations of lower oxygen indices and reduced ambient pressures are important to reducing the effects of sooting on droplet vaporization-rates.
Document ID
19920044303
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Choi, Mun Y. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Dryer, Frederick L. (Princeton University NJ, United States)
Card, John M. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Williams, Forman A. (California, University La Jolla, United States)
Haggard, John B. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Borowski, Brian A. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)