Effects of Initial Diameter on Burning of Nonane Droplets in a Non-Buoyant and Buoyant Ambience: Burning Rate, Soot Formation and Flame Structure

The results from nonane droplet combustion experiments conducted at 1g and μg are analyzed and compared in the following aspects: the burning rate, soot formation, flame structure. By varying the initial droplet diameter, we observe and discuss the effect of Do on droplet burning. The μg experiments were performed in a drop tower and a drag shield was used to create a low buoyant environment All experiments were fiber-supported and used the same experimental instruments. The droplet size between 0.40 to 0.95mm was examined in the experiments. Results showed that droplet burning is nonlinear in both a buoyant and a non-buoyant environment for the initial droplet diameters examined. Soot formation, which is influenced by Do may strongly affect the droplet burning process in both environments. The large droplet produces more soot and bums slowly whereas the small droplet bums fast because there is less soot.