Abstract
This study was undertaken in an effort to develop an understanding of the flammability characteristics of crude oils spilled on open waters and inland. Ignition tests were performed under various external radiant heat fluxes provided by a cone heater on three crude oils (Murban, La Rosa, and Alberta Sweet), black PMMA, and hexadecane. A small pilot flame and an electric spark were used as ignition sources. Ignition times were measured and were found to be inversely proportional to a power of the imposed radiant heat flux that varies from a value somewhat below to a value somewhat above two, the value two being derived from simplified modelling. For radiant fluxes above a threshold value of 10 kW/m 2, ignition times are unaffected by exposure (weathering) or oil layer thickness. However, longer times are needed to ignite crude oils with a spark than with a pilot flame, which should be noted when flammability assessment is made. Effects of radiant heat flux, exposure time, and fuel thickness on ignition time are discussed.
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