Effect of Gravity on Interactive Combustion of Fuel Droplets

Abstract

The effect of gravity on fuel droplets burning interactively has been studied experimentally. Experiments on two droplets aligned horizontally were conducted both in normal gravity and in microgravity. Results show that in normal gravity, oxygen starvation between the flames is not as severe as in microgravity. Natural convection, which supplies oxygen to the flame, is stronger at a smaller initial separation distance when two flames exist separately. The instantaneous burning rate for the same normalized droplet diameter has a maximum in normal gravity when the initial separation distance is changed and decreases monotonically in microgravity with decreasing initial separation distance, except for the initial period of burning. Thus, the effect of gravity, which decreases the burning lifetime, is greatest at a certain initial separation distance. © 1995, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. All rights reserved.