Flame spread over thermally thick fuels in narrow channel apparatus

The flame spread over polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polyethylene (PE) fuels have been investigated in a narrow channel with height of 14 mm. Other variables include flow velocity (less than 15 cm/s) and oxygen concentration (30% and 50%). The flame spread rates are measured as a function of flow velocity. A good agreement between the experimental results and microgravity theoretical prediction is obtained. The experiments show that, because the buoyancy-driven flow is suppressed to such a degree that the role of surface radiation in solid phase is relatively enhanced, the narrow channel apparatus can provide a simulated microgravity condition.