AMENDED EXPERIMENT DATA MANAGEMENT PLAN

CANDLE FLAMES IN MICROGRAVITY (CFM)

USML-1 Glovebox Experiment #8

  1. 0 CONTACT INFORMATION
    1.1.a Principal Investigator
    Howard Ross/NASA Lewis Research Center
    21000 Brookpark Rd. Cleveland, OH 44135, 216/433-2562

    1.1.b Co-Investigators
    Daniel Dietrich/Sverdrup Technology, Inc., Cleveland,OH
    James T'ien/Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

    1.2 Project Scientist
    N/A

    1.3 EDMP Author
    Howard Ross/NASA Lewis Research Center
    21000 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland, OH 44135
    216/433-2562

    1.4 Archive Center Technical Contact
    Laura A. Maynard/NASA Lewis Research Center
    21000 Brookpark Rd. Cleveland, OH 44135
    216/433-8756

  2. 0 EXPERIMENT DESCRIPTION
    2.1 Experiment Name
    Candle Flames in Microgravity (CFM) aka GBX-8

    2.2 Mission
    USML-1 (STS-50)

    2.3 Purpose
    To determine if wick flames (candles) can be sustained in a purely diffusive, i.e.
    quiescent, environment or in the presence of very slow, sub-buoyant convective
    flows; to determine the effect of these processes on burning rate, flame shape and
    color; to determine if near-extinction flame oscillations occur in the absence of
    buoyantly-induced flow; to study interactions between two, closely spaced diffusion
    flames.

    2.4 Method (Short description of experiment method)
    Candles were ignited in a 25 liter glovebox facility by the crew and were observed
    by video and/or 35 mm photography.

    2.5 Facility Used (Hardware facility experiment flown in)
    Glovebox

    2.6 General Experiment Summary (General overview of the experiment)
    During launch and reentry, the candlebox and candle parts box were stowed in a foam-padded drawer. In orbit, a crewmember placed the candle box inside the glovebox; the candle parts box was attached to the outside of the glovebox. He/she removed from the candle parts box the candle(s) and igniter, and installed them inside the glovebox. After the electrical connections were made and verified, the crew set up the cameras focussing on 1 inch by 1 inch area around the candle tip and on thermocouple displays.

    The crew member then activated the igniter and lit the candle(s). Ignition was via an electric-powered, hot-wire igniter. The flame was observed in orthogonal views by video cameras and, in one run, 1 35 mm SLR camera. Two temperatures of the nearby suroundings within the box - were monitored in one run via small thermocouples. Their output was linked through an amplified/conditioning circuit to small displays. The displays were observed via on of the cameras.

    Photography and temperature measurements continued until the flame burned to extinction. The glovebox fan was then turned on to cool the candle box and to replenish the glovebox with normal air. After about 1 minute, the next test proceeded.

    2.7 Summary of Results and Data
    2.7.1 Summary of Results (short summary of experiment results)
    Video was taken of about 10 candle tests. In addition, a sequence of 35 mm color still pictures were taken approximately 7 sec apart, from candle flame ignited in 22% 02/78% N2.

    Compared with those in normal gravity in the same atmospheric conditions, the low gravity candles are different in that: (a) the shape is spherical rather than elongated and (b) the main reaction zone, as indicated by the visible blue region, is much farther away from the wick. This distance, referred to as the flame standoff distance here, gives an indication of the magnitude of the heat flux from the flame to the liquid fuel in the wick. In normal gravity, this distance is about 1 mm at the base of the flame; in low gravity or low pressure, it is about 5 mm. Thus the candle in low gravity or pressure produces a flame much lower power (small burning rate per unit wick surface area) and, based on the disminished soot content a lower flame temperature.

    In short, on Earth, the familiar candle flame is bright, yellow, soot producing, and teardrop shaped. In microgravity we found, as expected, that the flames were dim, blue, non-sooting, and hemispherical in shape. We were however surprised on three counts.

    First the flames spontaneously oscillated several times, very small, symmetric oscillations at first but with large amplitude just before extinguishing. Such oscillations were not observed previously in drop tower or aircraft tests, due to their short microgravity times. These oscillations involved the appearance and disappearance of the flame base without affecting in an observable way the flame tip. Similar oscillations were observed on Earth at low-pressure by Chan and T'ien who suggested that this near-limit oscillation is a consequence of the pressure of convective flows, even at the reduced pressure level; that the flame base oscillation is a series of flame front retreats and flashback motions, relative to the buoyant flow existent in Earth's gravity. They observed an oscillation frequency of around 7 Hz whereas the USML-1 microgravity flames oscillate at 1-2 Hz. This explanation does not suffice since buoyant flows in microgravity were suppressed far more than in their low pressure tests. Instead the different frequency of oscillation is attributed to different transport rates.

    Secondly, we could not ignite two candles in close proximity in space. The distance between these candles would have produced very strong, in fact near-optimal, burning on Earth. In space, the flame from the first candle seemed to prevent the second from being ignited. We have no clear explanation why this occured, but believe it is due to a lack of oxygen around the second candle. We did however observe the interactions of a candle flame with an unlit candle. Heat lost to the unlit candle quenched the lit candle's flame tip; this then destablized the candle flame and it started oscillating asymmetrically and rotationally before extingushing.

    Thirdly, we believe we could see the effect of a momentary acceleration: the flame suddenly flared up, and produced soot, this at levels 10-3g. We believe the accelerations momentarily increased the convective flow of oxygen to the flame front region, raising the flame temperature which drives the chemical breakdown of the hydrocarbon wax to produce soot.

    2.7.2 Summary of Data
    The data from this experiment, which includes size, shape, color and temperature of the candle, was gathered from video cameras, 35mm photography, and thermocouples. Twenty-three video tapes were taken for 10 candle tests, and in one run, a sequence of 35 mm still pictures was taken. Fifty-nine pictures at 7 seconds apart from candle flame ignited in 22% O2/78% N2. The low gravity candles were spherical in shape, and the heat flux from the flame to the liquid fuel in the wick was a distance of about 5 mms. In microgravity the video tape showed that the flames were dim, blue, non-sooting, and hemispherical in shape. The flame was observed in orthogonal views by cameras which were focused on the 1" x 1" area around the candle tip. The temperature of the nearby surroundings in the box were monitored by thermocouples who output display was video taped. Photography and temperature measurements started with the lighting of the candle and continued until the flame burned to extinction.

    2.8 Keywords (Discipline, Subdiscipline, Parameter Group and Parameter)
    2.8.1 Discipline (i.e. Microgravity)
    Microgravity

    2.8.2 Subdiscipline (i.e. Fluids, Combustion)
    Combustion

    2.8.3 Parameter Group (Provide next division under `Subdiscipline')
    Diffusion Flames

    2.8.4 Parameter (Provide next level under `Parameter Group')
    Flame Structure; Burning Rates

    2.8.5 General Keywords (Specialized terms that apply to experiment)
    Ignition; Buoyancy

  3. 0 PROCESSING AND ANALYSIS DESCRIPTION
    3.1 Measurement Techniques (Instrument description, types of measurements taken)
    Video cameras, 35mm photography, and thermocouple were used to measure the shape, size, color, and temperature of flames.

    3.2 Analysis Techniques Performed (on-orbit, in ops ctrl center, post flight by PI and team.)
    Analysis took place in operations control center and post flight analysis by the PI (reviewing data) determined flame shape, color, size, as functions of time and residual accelerations.

  4. 0 ARCHIVING AND ACCESSIBILITY
    4.1 Data Archive Center (The location(s) of the data inventory.)
    NASA Lewis Research Center

    4.2 Inventory of Data to be Archived (types, media, formats, quantity, special storage)
    4.2.1 Video Tape (Quantity, tape format, tape numbers)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: Cndl Fl in Rt Cndl 337 18:42:56 and 337 19:11:03 Cndl Fl Lft Cndl 337 19:17:47 and 337 19:20:03

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: GPX#6 - Candle Flame in Right Candle (337 10:07:11) (337 10:53:06)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: STS-50 SHUTTLE MISSION USML GBX #10 - Flm in Lft Candle (339 21:13:19), (339 21:13:19) (339 21:24:12), (339

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: STS 50 SHUTTLE MISSION USML 1 GBX#7 Candle Flame in Right Candle (337 10:53:05)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: STS-50 SHUTTLE MISSION Candle flame in right candle at GBX-024; cndl flm in rt candle (337 10:09:13)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: STS 50 SHUTTLE MISSION USML-1 GBX #7 Candle Flame (337 10:53:05); Flame Left (337 18:51:11) (337 19:20:02)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: GPX#6 Candle flame in right candle (337 10:08:59); (337 10:09:13); (337 10:19:04) Bubbling or Boiling

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: CFM ROUGH - Candle in Left Candle (337 18:51:10) same tape oscil. later

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: STS-50 Shuttle Mission Candle Flame in Right Candle at GBX 024 Bright Flash Flicker spreads from the right

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: PDRF GBX 071 STS-50 Candle in Left Left Candle (339 21:13:17)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: GBX 024 cndl flm lft (337 18:51:11); cndl lft (337 19:10:58); cndl lft (337 19:17:46) osc.

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: CFM ROUGH COMPOSITE Cndl flm Right Candle 337 10:07:10 ; Sparks 26 seconds later (337 10:53:32)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: GBX 043 Cndl flm lft (339 21:24:12)osc.; flm lft (339 21:40:58); flm lft (339 22:08:16)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: Cndl Flm in lft (339 21:13:18); cnd flm lft (339 21:24:12 Osc); cnd flm in lft (339 21:40:58)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: CFM Night Tape Candle Flame in Lft cndl with sparkling points jumping from bulb 337 18:30:46

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: PDRF GBX 045 Cndl Flm in rt (337 10:09:13); cnd flm rt (339 10:19:05); cndl flm rt (33 10:53:05)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: GBX-024 flm rt cndl 337 10:07;10; cndl flm rt cndl 337 10:076:33; cndl flm rt cndl 337 10:09:13

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: GBX 046 Cndl Flm in lft (339 21:40:58) Osc; Cndl flm in lft (33 22:08:14)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: PDRF GB 070 - Candle Flame in Left Candle (337 19:10:58)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: CFM DATA Dump (Top View with Window Displays) Cndl Flm in right candle (337 10:53:05)

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: GBX-043 flm rt 339 21:13:18 osc; flm lft cndl 339 21:24:12 osc; cnd flm lf cnd 339 21:40:58

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: CFM 7/13:30 1 Candle with 35 MM Camera Cdl lft (339 21:13:19) Cndl flm lft 339 21:24:12

    TAPE NUMBER: 0
    DESCRIPTION: STS-50 Days NASA Select CFM Candle Flm in lft Cndl 337 19:20:03; cndl flm on left cndl 337 18:30:51

    4.2.2 Film (Quantity, film format (16 mm, 35 mm, etc.), film numbers, etc.)
    PHOTOGRAPHS

    C 92.00812
    DESCRIPTION: CANDLE BOX AND PARTS BOX IN STUDIO STILL

    C 93.02300
    DESCRIPTION: CANDLE MISSION DATA 14.08.58

    C 92.00814
    DESCRIPTION: CANDLE BOX

    C 92.00816
    DESCRIPTION: CANDLE PARTS BOX TOP OPEN IN-STUDIO STILL

    C 92.00811
    DESCRIPTION: GLOVEBOX AND IGNITOR IN STUDIO STILL

    C 92.00813
    DESCRIPTION: CANDLE AND IGNITOR IN STUDIO STILL

    C 92.00815
    DESCRIPTION: CANDLE BOX IN STUDIO STILL

    C 93.02301
    DESCRIPTION: CANDLES MISSION DATA 14.08.51

    C 93.02302
    DESCRIPTION: CANDLE MISSION DATA 14.08.44

    C 93.02303
    DESCRIPTION: CANDLE MISSION DATA 14.08.37

    C 93.02304
    DESCRIPTION: CANDLE MISSION DATA 14.08.3

    STS 227.00000
    DESCRIPTION: Experiment Photo Sequence STS-227 thru STS-232-21 STS photos duplicated and C numbered

    C 92.00817
    DESCRIPTION: CANDLE PARTS BOX OPEN FULL IN-STUDIO STILL

    C 92.00818
    DESCRIPTION: CANDLE PARTS BOX BOTTOM OPEN, IN-STUDIO STILL

    No C Number
    DESCRIPTION: Composite of 11 flames

    STS 9261991.00000
    DESCRIPTION: MARSHALL CONTROL ROOM DURING MISSION PHOTO SENT FROM MARSHALL

    C 90.01444
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01435
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01427
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01426
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01428
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01424
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.09423
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01425
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01421
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01420
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01422
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01418
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.10417
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01419
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01415
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Tests

    C 90.01414
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01416
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01412
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01411
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01413
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.12882
    DESCRIPTION: Parts

    C 90.12881
    DESCRIPTION: Candle Box Engineering Model

    C 90.01410
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01443
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01434
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01441
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01433
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.10439
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01432
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01437
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01431
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    STS 9129497.00000
    DESCRIPTION: GLOVE BOX EXPERIMENT MODULE READY FOR FLIGHT

    C 90.01430
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01442
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01438
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01436
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01440
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01429
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.01445
    DESCRIPTION: Drop Tower Flame Test

    C 90.12879
    DESCRIPTION: Candle Box Engineering Model

    C 90.12879
    DESCRIPTION: Candle Box Engineering Model

    C 90.12880
    DESCRIPTION: Candle Box Engineering Model

    4.2.3 Digital Data (Flight data, doc files, drawing files, readme file)

    4.2.4 Samples (Unused/used samples, memos, photographs (C-numbered.))

    4.2.5 Other
    VUGRAPHS

    CD 93.63976
    DESCRIPTION Candle Flames in Earth Gravity

    CD 93.65608
    DESCRIPTION Effects of Gravity on Combustion

    CD 93.68975
    DESCRIPTION Candle Flames

    CD 93.65604
    DESCRIPTION Candle Flames in Earth Gravity

    CD 93.63974
    DESCRIPTION Candle Flames Interactions of Earth Gravity

    CD 93.65602
    DESCRIPTION Candle Flames Interactions in Earth Gravity

    CD 93.63980
    DESCRIPTION Effects of Gravity on Combustion

    CD 93.65607
    DESCRIPTION Effects of Gravity on Combustion

    CD 93.65603
    DESCRIPTION Candle Flames

    CD 93.63981
    DESCRIPTION Effects of Gravity on Combustion

    CD 93.63720
    DESCRIPTION Wire Insulation Flammability

    CD 93.63721
    DESCRIPTION Candle Flames in Microgravity

    CD 93.63723
    DESCRIPTION Candle Flames in Microgravity

    CD 93.63722
    DESCRIPTION Candle Flames in Microgravity

    CD 93.63761
    DESCRIPTION Candle Flames in Microgravity

    CD 93.65609
    DESCRIPTION Effects of Gravity on Combustion

    CD 93.63978
    DESCRIPTION Effects of Gravity on Combustion

    CD 93.63979
    DESCRIPTION Effects of Gravity on Combustion

    4.2.6 Publications/Reports/etc
    H. Ross, R. Sotos, J. T'ien: "Observations of candle Flames Under Various Atmospheres in Microgravity"; Comb. Sci. Tech. July, 1990.

    D. Dietrich, H. Ross, J. T'ien: "The Burning of candles in Microgravity - Space Shuttle Results"; submitted for presented at the Eastern States Section Meeting of the Combustion Institute, July 1993.

    H. Ross, D. Dietrich, J. T'ien: "The Burning of candles in Microgravity - Drop Tower and Space Shuttle Results"; presented at AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Jan. 1994

    H. Ross, D. Dietrich, and J. T'ien: "The Burning of a candle in Microgravity - Space Shuttle Results", L+1 report submitted to and presentation at NASA/MSFC September 1993.

    4.2.7 Related Ground Based Experiment Data
    None

    4.2.8 Data Not Archived (justification and description of that data.)
    None

    4.3 Data Accessibility and Availability (Describe unique accessibility or availability issues)
    None

    4.4 Policies for Proprietary Data (State any proprietary policies)
    None

Last Updated Tue, Sep 28 10:09:02 AM EDT 1999
Laura Maynard <lmaynard@lerc.nasa.gov>