Microgravity experiments are performed to study wind-assisted flame spread over discrete fuel elements. Ultra-thin cellulose-based fuel segments are distributed uniformly in a low-speed flow and flame spread is initiated by igniting the most upstream fuel segment. Similar to continuous fuels, flame spread over discrete fuels is a continual process of ignition. Flame propagation across a gap only occurs when a burning fuel segment, before it burns out, ignites the subsequent segment. During this process, gaps between samples reduce the fuel load, increasing the apparent flame spread rate and decreasing the heat transfer between adjacent segments. The reduction in heat transfer decreases the solid burning rate. In this study, sample segment length, gap size, and imposed flow velocity are varied to study the impacts on burning characteristics, including propensity of flame spread, flame spread rate, and solid burning rate. Detailed profiles of the transient flame spread process are also presented.

This book provides an introduction to understanding combustion, the burning of a substance that produces heat and often light, in microgravity environments-i.e., environments with very low gravity such as outer space. Readers are presented with a compilation of worldwide findings from fifteen years of research and experimental tests in various low-gravity environments, including drop towers, aircraft, and space.Microgravity Combustion is unique in that no other book reviews low- gravity combustion research in such a comprehensive manner. It provides an excellent introduction for those researching in the fields of combustion, aerospace, and fluid and thermal sciences.* An introduction to the progress made in understanding combustion in a microgravity environment* Experimental, theoretical and computational findings of current combustion research* Tutorial concepts, such as scaling analysis* Worldwide microgravity research findings

A Gallery of Combustion and Fire is the first book to provide a graphical perspective of the extremely visual phenomenon of combustion in full color. It is designed primarily to be used in parallel with, and supplement existing combustion textbooks that are usually in black and white, making it a challenge to visualize such a graphic phenomenon. Each image includes a description of how it was generated, which is detailed enough for the expert but simple enough for the novice. Processes range from small scale academic flames up to full scale industrial flames under a wide range of conditions such as low and normal gravity, atmospheric to high pressures, actual and simulated flames, and controlled and uncontrolled flames. Containing over 500 color images, with over 230 contributors from over 75 organizations, this volume is a valuable asset for experts and novices alike.