- Author
- Comeford, J. J.
- Title
- Spectral Distribution of Radiant Energy of a Gas-Fired Radiant Panel and Some Diffusion Flames.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Journal
- Combustion and Flame, Vol. 18, 125-132, 1972
- Keywords
- radiant energy; fire tests
- Abstract
- Measurements were made of the spectral distribution of energy from radiant sources employed in standard test methods of flammability. Radiant sources examined were a gas-fired radiant panel employed in ASTM Test E-162 and the electric heater employed in the Smoke Chamber Test. To afford a basis for comparison, the emission spectra of several diffusion flames in air were measured. The energy distribution of the flames occurred essentially in two narrow wave-length intervals corresponding to emission of carbon dioxide at 4.4 mum and water at 2.7 mum. Luminous diffusion flames containing large amounts of incandescent carbon, such as acetylene in air, show a blackbody background continuum with CO2 and H2O emission peaks superimposed on the continuum. The radiant test sources exhibited an energy distribution approximating that of a blackbody with atmospheric CO2 and H2O absorptions superimposed. The gas fired radiant panel in addition showed a significant emission peak at 4.4 mum due to hot CO2.