Heat release rate determination of pool fire at different pressure conditions

Abstract

SummaryThis research deals with the experimental determination of the heat release rate (HRR) of n‐heptane pool fire at different pressure conditions based on oxygen consumption method. The method, initially developed for open atmosphere fires, is modified for pool fires in ventilated chamber under different pressure conditions. The calculation equation of the HRR with consideration of ambient pressure is presented. The experiments are performed in the large‐scale ventilated altitude chamber of size 2 × 3 × 4.65 m under series of pressure, 24, 38, 64, and 75 to 90 kPa. Based on the experimental data, the effects of pressure on the mass burning rate and HRR are discussed; meanwhile, the calculation method of HRR is verified. The results show that the mean mass burning rate at the steady burning stage increases exponentially with pressure as , with α = 0.68. The maximum HRR increases from 27 to 63 kW as the pressure rises from 24 to 90 kPa. It is concluded that the ambient pressure has a significant effect on the fire HRR and will further influence on other fire parameters.