- Author
- Tordella, J. | Twilley, W. H.
- Title
- Development of a Calorimeter for Simutaneously Measuring Heat Release and Mass Loss Rates.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
- NBSIR 83-2708, June 1983, 34 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- calorimeters | fire tests | heat of combustion | heat release rate | predictive models | mass loss
- Abstract
- A heat release rate calorimeter (designated as NBS II) was designed, built, and put into operation. Specimens may be burned vertically or horizontally without the use of reflectors to provide a uniform external radiant flux field. The flux range is 25 to 80 kW/m2. Heat release rate, mass loss rate, smoke, and heat of combustion of the unburned gaseous decomposition products are measured. The heat release rate measurement involves the use of a substitution burner technique which provides fast response. The ratio of the heat release to mass loss rates, the apparent heat of combustion, is provided as a function of time. The calorimeter may also be operated in other modes, e.g., stack temperature increase and oxygen depletion, to obtain the heat release rate.