Controlled-Atmosphere Cone Calorimeter

Abstract

A new and unique cone calorimeter, the Controlled Atmosphere Cone Calorimeter, which can vary both the oxygen concentration and ventilation rate of its combustion gas is introduced. Three plastic materials, polymethylmethacrylate, and two polyisocyanurate rigid foams, one HCFC-141b blown and the other carbon dioxide blown, were evaluated in the Controlled Atmosphere Cone Calorimeter under nine different conditions of varying oxygen concentrations of the combustion gas (15 to 21%) and rates of ventilation (9 to 24 l/s). The combustion performance properties for each material are presented and discussed. This study demonstrates that the Controlled Atmosphere Cone Calorimeter can effectively model well-ventilated, fully developed fires as well as other types of fires, which standard cone calorimeters can not.