Thermal environment induced by jatropha oil pool fire in a compartment

Abstract

This article evaluates the burning characteristics of jatropha oil pool fire. Experiments have been carried out in a compartment of size 4 m × 4 m × 4 m, with a door opening of 1 m × 2 m for ventilation purpose. Crude jatropha oil is burned in a pool diameters of 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 m and having an initial fuel depth of 0.045 m. Heat release rate, mass loss rate, exhaust gases concentration (CO2 and O2), profiles of flame temperature, flame height, room corner temperature, door temperature and heat flux at different locations have been recorded. The smoke layer interface is also estimated by means of a thermocouple tree with 19 thermocouples using the integral ratio method. Experimental results showed that the flame temperature profile is similar for all four experiments. Maximum heat release rate achieved is 312.5 kW for the pool size of 0.6 m, and corresponding average mass loss rate is 8.62 g s−1. Also the interface height determined by visual method and integral ratio method matched well during the steady profile phase.