Abstract:
Flame spread in an $n$-heptane droplet array under conditions of microgravity, different ambient temperatures, and droplet spacing is studied numerically. The dimensionless distance, fuel type, and ambient temperature are characteristic parameters that could change the flame spread modes. Variations of the droplet spacing change the amount of the gas fuel on the centerline of droplets, and the flame can either appear between the droplets or pass above this space. A high-temperature environment causes an increase in the flame spread rate. Good qualitative agreement in the flame spread behavior between numerical results and microgravity experiments is obtained. Flame spread rates are obtained for different droplet spacings. This curve has a maximum, similar to experimental result.