Microgravity experiments on flame spread along fuel-droplet arrays at high temperatures

Microgravity experiments on droplet-array combustion were conducted under high-ambient-temperature conditions. n-Decane droplet arrays suspended on SiC fibers were inserted into a high-temperature combustion chamber and were ignited at one end to initiate the flame spread in high-temperature air. Flame-spread modes, burning behavior after the flame spread, and flame-spread rate were examined at different ambient temperatures. Experimental results showed that the appearance of flame-spread modes and the flame-spread rate were affected by the ambient temperature. The flame-spread rate increased with the ambient temperature. These facts are discussed based on the temperature effects on the droplet heating and the development of a flammable-mixture layer around the next droplet. A simple model was introduced to analyze these effects. The effects of the ambient temperature on the appearance of group combustion of the array after the flame spread and the scale effect in the flame spread are also discussed.