Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Spatial Fuel Distribution in the Airplane on the Fireball Characteristics Generated by an Aircraft Impact

Abstract

ABSTRACT A large fireball is usually created during an aircraft impact. The fireball may engulf a building and impart great thermal radiation onto nearby targets. A series of numerical simulations with parametric studies was conducted for a real aircraft crash accident. The effects of fuel distribution in the aircraft and fuel spray angle on the fireball characteristics associated with an aircraft crash are investigated. By comparing with the fireball diameter and center height obtained from video footage reported in the literature, the simulated fireball diameter is closest to that observed in the video footage when the fuel spray angle is 15° regardless of the number of dynamic fuel sprays. Furthermore, when the fuel distribution in the airplane is simulated with four dynamic sprays, the effect of spray angle on the predicted fireball center height is negligible. Based on the comparison of the simulated fuel droplet distribution with the fire zone after aircraft crash, we infer that the reliability of the simulation for the fireball generated by an aircraft crash depends on generation of a fuel jet in the front of the aircraft’s nose. This work provides numerical simulation with validation of the fireball characteristics generated by an aircraft impact.