Development of the Microgravity Experimental Device for Pulverized Coal Combustion

A facility that can be used for pulverized coal combustion experiment in microgravity is described. It is used to study pulverized coal particles’ pyrolysis, gasification, ignition, volatile release, char combustion and burnout, and other combustion characteristics in microgravity. The pulverized coal is blown into the furnace chamber intermittently. When the temperature reaches the set point, turn on the valve and put pulverized coal into the furnace chamber, and then observe whether pulverized coal can be ignited so as to determine the ignition temperature of pulverized coal. By detecting the coal gases in the combustion, the volatile changes in precipitation of char combustion and the burnout characteristics can be attained. The flame structure and flame temperature distribution can be recorded by CCD image. The structure, the working principle and the experimental results of this facility are introduced. Further improvements of the facility are presented.