Quenching dust mixtures: A new microgravity testing method using electric particulate suspensions
- Iowa State University, Ames, IA (US). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
The electric particulate suspension (EPS) is a combustion ignition system under development at Iowa State University for the evaluation of quenching effects of powders in microgravity (quenching distance, ignition energy, and flammability limits). Both walls and (inert) particles can be tested as quenching media. The EPS method has potential as a benchmark design for quenching powder flames that would provide NASA and the scientific community with a new fire safety standard. Because of its simplicity and size, it is also suitable for tests on the International Space Station and the Mars Rover. The EPS method also supports combustion modeling by providing accurate measurement of flame-quenching distance as an important parameter in laminar flame theory because it is closely related to characteristic flame thickness and flame structure. In microgravity, the EPS method is expected to produce dust suspensions that are highly uniform (before ignition) compared to 1-g, where gravity can cause stratification of the suspension. Microgravity will also permit increased concentrations of particles to be tested (for a given electric field strength). Several EPS experiments are reviewed, including X-Y laser scans for cloud stratification, particle velocity distribution evaluation by the use of particle tracking velocimetry/particle image velocimetry and a leak hole sampling rig, and measurement of particle slip velocity by the use of laser Doppler anemometry. Sample quenching and ignition energy curves are presented for aluminum powder and coal dust. Only ground-based data at 1-g are reported.
- OSTI ID:
- 20544551
- Journal Information:
- AIAA Journal, Vol. 42, Issue 10; ISSN 0001-1452
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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