- Author
- Delichatsios, M. A.
- Title
- Simple Algebraic Model for Turbulent Wall Fires.
- Coporate
- Factory Mutual Research Corp., Norwood, MA
- Sponsor
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- FMRC J.I. 0N0J1.BU; RC86-BT-2, September 1986, 30 p.
- Contract
- NBS-GRANT-NB82-NADA-3041
- Book or Conf
- Combustion Institute, Symposium (International) on Combustion, 21st. August 3-8, 1986, Combustion Inst., Pittsburgh, PA, Munich, West Germany, 53-64 p., 1986
- Keywords
- flame propagation | pyrolysis rate
- Abstract
- Propagation of flames over vertical walls is a key phenomenon for 1) predicting fire growth in rooms, and 2) characterizing the flammability properties of practical materials. Because of the complexity of the fire problem and the lack of values for key material properties, simple, yet comprehensive, models are sought for modeling turbulent wall fires. In this paper, simple algebraic expressions for turbulent wall fires are presented including expressions for the wall pyrolysis rate, the mass flow rate, the maximum mean velocity and the maximum mean gas temperature. These expressions evolved from a more complicated integral wall fire model presented previously. In the proposed relationships, mass blowing at the wall owing to pyrolysis and flame radiation feedback is accounted for. An extensive discussion is also presented for the fundamental fluid mechanical and combustion principles of the model including comparison with experimental property profiles and wall pyrolysis rates. Limitations of the model regarding the modeling of flame radiation are clearly noted.