Ground-Based Study on Distribution of Fire Parameters and Installation of Fire Detectors in Space-Confined Microgravity

Abstract

The manned spacecraft is a typically confined space in microgravity and it suffers severe fire risks. This paper studies on the distribution of the fire parameters in space-confined microgravity to find a more rational way to install the fire detectors. The experiments are carried out in the ground simulation experiment platform for fire based on the International Space Station. Based on the functional simulation principle, this paper maintainsGr(Grashof number) and increasesRe(Reynolds number) to simulate microgravity environment in such a full-scale platform. The results show that Fire Detector 5 on the center of the side wall and Fire Detector 7 on the corner of the ceiling are the best installing locations for smoke detection. And, temperature detection is not appropriate in manned spacecraft. Namely, the way to install the fire detectors in manned spacecraft should be different from that in normal gravity.