Sand-ejecting fire extinguisher parameter sensitivity analysis based on experiments and CFD-DEM coupling simulations

Abstract

This study was conducted for parameter sensitivity analysis of an eco-friendly fire-fighting device, the sand-ejecting fire extinguisher, by means of experiments and CFD-DEM coupling simulations. The paper presents a total of nine impeller design schemes. Simulations were carried out to reproduce the sand ejection process with each scheme. The results show that the gas flow field has an effect on the ejection process under the windless environment, so the sand ejection characteristic analyses are based on DEM calculations. The phenomenon that a greater number of blades could provide longer ejection distance is also found in the simulation process. Radial and forward schemes may be more suitable for gas-station fires while backward schemes not because of the sand accumulation character. The CFD-DEM calculation shows that increasing the sand mass flow could extend the ejection distance but is more susceptible to ambient wind.