Fire Risk Assessment of Spruce Pellets

Abstract

In the presented paper is assessed fire risk of pellets made from spruce wood (Picea abiesL.) without bark, processed by hot pressing without the use of additional chemicals. Fire risk was assessed on the basis of heat release rate (HRR), the specific carbon monoxide production rate (SCPR) and the time dependence of the induction period of spontaneous ignition on temperature. HRR and SPCR were determined on the cone calorimeter test performed according to ISO 5660-1:2002 standard. Samples were loaded by 20 kW/m2heat flux during the test. The maximum HRR was 229 kW/m2and average HRR was 55 kW/m2. Maximum SCPR was 0.37 g/(m2s) and the average SCPR was 0.16 g/(m2s). The dependence of the induction period of spontaneous ignition on temperature was determined by a modified test performed according to ISO 871:2006 standard. Modification of the test procedure was based on measurement of the induction time period of the spontaneous ignition on temperature, and temperatures higher of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 °C than spontaneous ignition temperature. The obtained data proved an exponential dependence of the induction period of spontaneous ignition on temperature.