Modeling of pool fires with a variety of polymers

Abstract

The experiments reported in this paper deal with steady turbulent free convective diffusional burning of eight different polymeric solids in the geometry of horizontal circular pools. The measurements include the burning rate, the history, and the thermal radiation emitted by these fires under various ambient air pressures up to about 40 atm. A simple one-dimensional diffusion flame theory is used to correlate the mass transfer rates, history of burning, and radiant-emission rates. The theory leads to determination of B-numbers for the simulated, realistically large, polymer fires that involve radiation effects in B. These B-numbers are in excellent accord with other measurements available in the literature. The tested materials are rated for their flammability (burning intensity) on the basis of the B-number. They are also rated for their smokiness on the basis of the radiation measurements. As may be expected, a desirable material on the basis of flammability is not necessarily so desirable on the basis of smoke potential.