Studies of Flame Spread in an Opposed Flow Over Surfaces of Solid Fuels

Studies of Flame Spread in an Opposed Flow Over Surfaces of Solid Fuels PDF Author: Indrek S. Wichman
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 408

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Studies of Flame Spread in an Opposed Flow Over Surfaces of Solid Fuels

Studies of Flame Spread in an Opposed Flow Over Surfaces of Solid Fuels PDF Author: Indrek S. Wichman
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 408

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Investigation of Opposed Flow Flame Spread Over Solid Fuels

Investigation of Opposed Flow Flame Spread Over Solid Fuels PDF Author: Sarzina Hossain
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic dissertations
Languages : en
Pages : 203

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The opposed flow flame spread over flat solid fuels is of fundamental importance to the field of fire safety. Several features of opposed flow flame spread are experimentally, numerically and analytically investigated.Thermally thick slab of PolyMethylMethAcrylate (PMMA) was used to study the effects of opposed flow velocity (8-58 cm/s) and fuel thickness (6.6, 12.1 and 24.5 mm). The experiments were conducted with a Narrow Channel Apparatus (NCA) at Michigan State University (MSU). The flame spread rate results show that the maximum flame spread occurs at a lower flow velocity for relatively thicker fuel. The peak flame spread rate for 6.6 mm, 12.1 mm and 24.5 mm occurs at 18.5 cm/s, 12.1 cm/s and 10.3 cm/s, respectively. Several flame spread regimes: thermal, chemical and regressive burning are identified from the results. Flame spread regimes are usually depend on the opposed flow velocity. However, the flame spread rate for newly found regressive burning regime is independent of flow velocities. Visual observation of the flame indicates that the flame intensity augments with flow velocity for all thicknesses of PMMA. The comparison between NCA data and legacy data for similar material (PMMA) and thickness (12.1 mm) demonstrated excellent agreement, subject to the extension of the numerical and theoretical analysis to include relevant features of the flame spread stretch rate theory. The results also demonstrated the effectiveness of the stretch rate theory for markedly different experimental configurations. Although thick slab is used to perform tests, complete burn out of the samples for thickness 6.6 and 12.1 mm are observed at high opposed flow velocities (30 ℗ł 5 cm/s and higher). On contrary, the thickest sample (24.5 mm) did not go through complete burning. This indicates the nature of surface regression and its impact on flame spread rate.Based on the results, it can be emphasized that the factors controlling the flame front advancement involves both flame spread and surface regression. So, the burnt samples at different opposed flow velocities of 24.5 mm thickness from flame spread study is measured for surface regression depth experimentally. A semi-empirical correlation is developed to relate the flame spread and regression and to determine the mass loss rate from the burnt fuel surface. Mass loss rate is also a key aspect of characterizing the flammability of materials. Results show that the power law dependency of mass loss rate changes with opposed flow velocity. A comparison of power law exponents of current results and results from literature are made. Results demonstrate that the power law dependency at flow velocity 8.2, 10.3 and 12 cm/s is -0.5 which show excellent agreement with legacy work.Next, another study is conducted on the post-flame-spread 24.5 mm PMMA sample, burnt at opposed flow velocity 15 cm/s. Visual observation of post-burn sample shows the formation of significant number of internal bubbles. Three samples of similar thickness burnt at similar condition were investigated for bubble count and size. Results indicate higher and smaller bubble presence near the leading edge of the flame compared to the trailing edge side. Comparison of bubble size distribution with several distribution function demonstrates that the bubble size shows good agreement with Log-normal distribution function.Finally, the transient regression rate has been investigated analytically and numerically. The effect of external heat flux simulating flame heat flux is analyzed for PMMA considering it as an ideal-vaporizing solid. Results indicate a strong dependency of heat flux on material regression for a time duration. After a certain time period, the regression rate became insensitive to heat flux change. A scale analysis is performed to compare the analytical-numerical regression rate results with experimental surface regression depth. The predicted regression followed a similar pattern as the experimental surface regression.

Opposed-Flow Flame Spread Over Solid Fuels in Different Burning Regimes

Opposed-Flow Flame Spread Over Solid Fuels in Different Burning Regimes PDF Author: Luca Carmignani
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Several aspects of opposed-flow flame spread are experimentally investigated because of their relevance in fire safety studies. Different burning regimes based on the intensity of the opposed flow velocity are identified for acrylic fuels. In downward flame spread, where the flow around a flame is only naturally induced by gravity, the spread rate is highly dependent on fuel size and geometry. The fuel cross-sectional shape is experimentally varied, and a formula which takes into account geometrical effects is proposed by extending previous solutions for two-dimensional flames. The burning region of a solid fuel shows a consistent slope due to the competition between flame spread and surface regression. The angle at the vertex of the pyrolysis region, called burn angle, can be used to indirectly calculate the fuel burning rate. The burn angle depends on fuel thickness; a numerical model and a scale analysis are used to explore the reasons for this behavior. Next, the effect of a forced flow is investigated. The extreme case of blow-off extinction over thin fuels is considered, with flames extinguishing at locations determined by the flow velocity. Results suggest that the interaction between fuel and flow field is more important than the dependence on fuel thickness. The evolution of flame structure and pyrolysis also appear to be driven by flow interactions. A scale analysis is used to explore these dependencies. Finally, previous microgravity experiments are used to explore differences and similarities with ground-based results. By suppressing the buoyant flow, flame radiation becomes essential for the flame spread process. The experimental conditions are simulated numerically to describe the importance of a developing boundary layer in this regime. A numerical parametric study of the radiative emission of flames in microgravity, inspired by the experimental data, shows its dependence on flame area, mass burning rate and flame temperature by changing the burning conditions. For these small flames, soot does not seem to dominate flame radiation, although its generation increases with fuel thickness, oxygen concentration and flow velocity. The experiments in microgravity considered in this work showed flame extinction in a quiescent environment. However, two acrylic cylinders at higher oxygen concentrations from a previous investigation can burn vigorously. To clarify whether these flames are stable, a scale analysis is used to study the influence of surface curvature on radiation losses.

Forced Opposed Flow Flame Spread Over Flat Solid Fuels in the Thermal, Near Quiescent and Chemical Kinetic Regimes

Forced Opposed Flow Flame Spread Over Flat Solid Fuels in the Thermal, Near Quiescent and Chemical Kinetic Regimes PDF Author: Jeffrey S. West
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Combustion
Languages : en
Pages : 842

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Book Description
A detailed numerical model of opposed-flow flame spread over solid fuels is developed. The model is used to study flame spread in three regimes of flame spread; the Thermal, Chemical Kinetic and Near Quiescent Regimes. Simplifying assumptions that have been historically applied to this problem are investigated and their effect on the flame spread rate and flame structure are quantified in each regime. A semi-empirical flame spread formula for thermally thick fuels is developed from knowledge of the dominant simplifying assumptions in this regime. Spread rate predictions compare well to experimental and computed results. This semi-empirical model provides field variables which previous theories are unable to predict. Mechanisms of heat transfer ahead of the flame are studied in each regime. Forward heat transfer though the solid fuel becomes more important in the Chemical Kinetic and Near Quiescent Regimes, a previously unknown result. The rate and path of forward heat transfer is found to depend strongly on simplifying assumptions and the flame anchor location. These results explain the relationship between previous analytical and experimental forward heat transfer results. A dimensionless criterion predicting the fuel thickness at which transition from thermally thick to thermally thin is developed which compares well with experimental and computed results. Finite-rate gas-phase chemical kinetics are found to be the cause of the super-thin regime of flame spread. A formula for the limiting flame spread rate in this regime is developed. Correlation of computed spread rates with the Damkohler number is revisited. Uncertainty in residence time due to uncertainties in characteristic velocity and gas-phase properties is found to be the cause of spread in the correlation. The Damkohler number alone explains variations in many parameters although it alone cannot explain changes in gas-phase activation energy. The boundary between the Near Quiescent and Thermal Regime is quantified using a dimensionless radiation number. A new extinction limit for thick fuels in the Near Quiescent Regime is discovered. Radiative losses cause the flame to grow small and spread so slowly that sufficient oxygen is not available to sustain the flame. Recent experimental results confirm this conclusion.

A Numerical Model of Opposed Flow Flame Spread Over Thin Solid Fuels

A Numerical Model of Opposed Flow Flame Spread Over Thin Solid Fuels PDF Author: Amit Kumar (Ph. D.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 392

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Application of Validated Radiation Model in Flame Spread Rate Over Solid Fuels

Application of Validated Radiation Model in Flame Spread Rate Over Solid Fuels PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Electronic books
Languages : en
Pages : 79

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In this thesis the radiative effects of opposed flow flames spreading over solid fuels are discussed as well as the coupling of a radiation and CFD program. The coupled programs are used to show the radiative heat transfer mechanisms and how they affect the flame globally. A radiation program is used to calculate radiation properties of the flame such as the heat flux distribution, net heat flow, and mean Plank absorptivity constant for a particular flame. The radiation program imports the temperature fields from a CFD program. Trends in the mean Plank absorptivity constant with varying ambient conditions are analyzed and an application of the radiation program to simulate a physical radiometer is demonstrated for a test case. The CFD program can import radiation results to help improve the accuracy of the simulation. A script was written to automate the update process to produce more accurate results for flame simulations. Flux distributions, stability and relative error are analyzed to show the coupled programs are producing results within an acceptable error. Trends in error and stability are discussed and stable regions with low enough error are determined. The coupled programs are used to gather data on flame spread rate and find differences in flame structure and properties of neglecting certain radiation mechanisms. No radiation included produced the hottest fastest moving flame, while no gas to surface radiation produced the coolest flame. Including the gas to surface radiation produced a slightly hotter faster moving flame. This trend was studied across different opposed flow velocities and sample widths. The radiative heat fluxes are analyzed for the cases as well. All the flame simulations in this thesis were run for a microgravity, 21% oxygen, and PMMA fuel.

A Complete Parametric Study of Flame Spread Over a Thin Solid Fuel in Opposed-flow Forced-convective and Quiescent Environments

A Complete Parametric Study of Flame Spread Over a Thin Solid Fuel in Opposed-flow Forced-convective and Quiescent Environments PDF Author: Douglas A. Seaton
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Combustion
Languages : en
Pages : 280

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Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aeronautics
Languages : en
Pages : 592

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Microgravity Combustion

Microgravity Combustion PDF Author: Howard D. Ross
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080549977
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 601

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Book Description
This book provides an introduction to understanding combustion, the burning of a substance that produces heat and often light, in microgravity environments-i.e., environments with very low gravity such as outer space. Readers are presented with a compilation of worldwide findings from fifteen years of research and experimental tests in various low-gravity environments, including drop towers, aircraft, and space.Microgravity Combustion is unique in that no other book reviews low- gravity combustion research in such a comprehensive manner. It provides an excellent introduction for those researching in the fields of combustion, aerospace, and fluid and thermal sciences. * An introduction to the progress made in understanding combustion in a microgravity environment* Experimental, theoretical and computational findings of current combustion research* Tutorial concepts, such as scaling analysis* Worldwide microgravity research findings

A Gallery of Combustion and Fire

A Gallery of Combustion and Fire PDF Author: Charles E. Baukal, Jr.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1108660886
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 193

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Book Description
A Gallery of Combustion and Fire is the first book to provide a graphical perspective of the extremely visual phenomenon of combustion in full color. It is designed primarily to be used in parallel with, and supplement existing combustion textbooks that are usually in black and white, making it a challenge to visualize such a graphic phenomenon. Each image includes a description of how it was generated, which is detailed enough for the expert but simple enough for the novice. Processes range from small scale academic flames up to full scale industrial flames under a wide range of conditions such as low and normal gravity, atmospheric to high pressures, actual and simulated flames, and controlled and uncontrolled flames. Containing over 500 color images, with over 230 contributors from over 75 organizations, this volume is a valuable asset for experts and novices alike.