INFERNITYFLAME IN FREEFALL

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Attribute
Hardware groupMDCA group
Pillars
Prevention
Fuel phaseLiquid
MaterialHeptane droplets
ShapeSpherical droplets burned in a quiescent microgravity environment
SizeMillimeter-scale droplets
O2 concentrationVaried / not specified
PressureVaried / not specified
AirflowVaried / not specified
FacilityMulti-user Droplet Combustion Apparatus (MDCA) in the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR)
Module / vehicleInternational Space Station
Sensors
  • High-speed droplet and flame imaging
  • Radiometers for low-level flame emission
  • Droplet diameter tracking
  • Combustion product and temperature diagnostics
Variables tested
  • Low-temperature cool flame chemistry in heptane droplets
  • Radiative extinction and near-limit burning
  • Droplet burning history after the visible flame extinguishes
ObjectivesInvestigate the cool diffusion flames first observed during ISS droplet experiments in 2012, characterizing low-temperature burning and its role in near-limit extinction.
Key findings
  • Cool diffusion flames were discovered during ISS droplet combustion experiments in 2012.
  • CFI examined heptane droplet cool flames, which can burn at low temperature with little or no visible light.
  • The data test low-temperature chemical kinetic models and help explain extinction near flammability limits.
Relevant environments
Spacecraft cabinSpace stationSpacesuit
SourceNASA PSI