Effects of DC Electric Fields on Combustion of Single Droplets under Microgravity.

Abstract

This paper presents experimental results for effects of electric field on combustion of single droplets for sooting and non-sooting fuels in microgravity. The ambient gas was air at atmospheric temperature and pressure, and ethyl alcohol, n-octane, and toluene were used as fuels. The distance between electrodes is 50 mm and applied electric voltages ranged between 0 and 7 kV. The deformation of flame occurred and the burning rate constant increased with an increase in the electric field intensity for all of the fuels tested. It is supposed that the deformation of flame and the increase in the burning rate constant can be explained due to the movement of ions and soot particles which are charged positively and the flow induced by the movement. In consideration of not only the movement and induced flow but also behavior of soots, the experimental results of sooty flames can be explained.