Predicting the Burning of Wood Using an Integral Model.
Predicting the Burning of Wood Using an Integral Model.
(1412 K)
Spearpoint, M. J.; Quintiere, J. G.
Combustion and Flame, Vol. 123, No. 3, 308-325,
November 2000.
Sponsor:
National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Gaithersburg, MD
Keywords:
wood; heat flux; mass loss; temperature; char;
pyrolysis; charring; burning rate; surface temperature;
penetration; ignition; experiments; equations;
temperature profiles; material properties; oxidation;
char depth
Abstract:
This paper experimentally and theoretically examines the
horizontal burning of four species of wood exposed to
incident heat fluxes of 25-75 kW/m2 with their grain
oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the
incident heat flux. Mass loss, temperatures, and char
fractions were measured. A one-dimensional integral
model that describes the transient pyrolysis of a
semi-infinite charring solid subject to a constant
radiant heat flux was developed. The solutions to the
integral model for the burning rate were compared with
data using analytical short-time and long-time
solutions. Reasonable comparative results are shown for
mass loss rate, surface temperature, char depth, and
effective thermal penetration.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899