- Author
-
Chen, Y.
|
Kauffman, C. W.
|
Sichel, M.
- Title
- Transition From Smoldering to Glowing to Flaming Combustion.
- Coporate
- Michigan Univ., Ann Arbor
- Book or Conf
- Chemical and Physical Processes in Combustion. 1990,
681-684 p.,
1990
- Keywords
-
flaming combustion
|
smoldering combustion
|
glowing combustion
|
wood
|
paper
|
experiments
|
beeswings
|
wood shavings
|
shredded paper
- Abstract
- Smoldering is defined as a non-flaming, exothermic, surface reaction that propagates through a porous and permeable combustible material. It is a fundamental combustion process, and is distinguished from other combustion reactions by its low temperature, lack of flame and slow propagation velocities. Smoldering combustion has been the subject of much interest and study because it is acknowledged as a significant fire safety hazard. Smoldering may progress for a long period of time undetected (because of its low intensity) until a sudden transition to flaming occurs. Glowing combustion is characterized by the flowing phenomena on the material surface after a certain period of smoldering. Although smoldering combustion of various materials has been studied by a number of researchers, relatively little work has been done in the area of transition from smoldering to glowing and flaming combustion. In studying the transition from smoldering to glowing to flaming combustion, we have aimed at determining the conditions under which a smoldering combustion process will increase in intensity until an open flame appears. The materials studied were beeswings, wood shavings and shredded paper. The experimental results show that these conditions include density of the material, ignitor power, ignitor depth, and air velocity over the material surface. The results presented here should be helpful in understanding and controlling smoldering combustion and preventing destructive fires.