Combustion Science

Multi-user Droplet Combustion Apparatus (MDCA)

The Multi-user Droplet Combustion Apparatus is a multi-user facility designed to accommodate different droplet combustion science experiments. The MDCA will conduct experiments using the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) of the NASA Glenn Research Center’s Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF). The payload is planned for the International Space Station. The MDCA, in conjunction with the CIR, will allow for cost effective extended access to the microgravity environment, not possible on previous space flights. It is currently in the Engineering Model build phase with a planned flight launch with CIR in 2008.

Flame Extinguishment Experiment (FLEX) experiment

The Flame Extinguishment Experiment (FLEX) experiment was designed to assess and quantify the effectiveness of inert-gas suppressants in microgravity and obtain the most conservative estimate of the limiting oxygen index for steady combustion. FLEX is studying the behavior of near-limit diffusion flames examining in detail liquid- and gas-phase transport and chemical kinetics, and developed and is validating detailed and reduced-order transport and chemistry models that are the foundation for real engine simulations.

Advanced Combustion via Microgravity Experiments (ACME)

ACME is focused on advanced combustion technology via fundamental microgravity research. The primary goal is to improve efficiency and reduce pollutant emission in practical terrestrial combustion. A secondary objective is fire prevention, especially for spacecraft.

Solid Fuel Ignition and Extinction (SoFIE)

Fire can be a catastrophic hazard for manned spacecraft. NASA mitigates the risk of fire with the implementation of NASA-STD-6001, which establishes program requirements for evaluation, testing, and selection of materials to preclude unsafe conditions related to flammability, odor, offgassing, and fluid compatibility. NASA-STD-6001 impelements a 1-g flame propagation test for proposed space flight materials which some researchers believe is not conservative in low-g.