Combustion of Oil on Water.
Combustion of Oil on Water.
(3087 K)
Evans, D. D.; Baum, H. R.; McCaffrey, B. J.; Mulholland,
G. W.; Harkleroad, M. F.; Manders, W. F.
NBSIR 86-3420; NIST SP 995; Volume 2; 55 p. November
1987.
Sponsor:
Department of the Interior, Reston, VA
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.
Telephone:
1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000;
Fax: 703-605-6900.
Website: http://www.ntis.gov
Order number: PB89-185581
Keywords:
burning rate; fire plumes; liquid fuels; offshore
platforms; oilspill; pool fires; smoke generation
Abstract:
This report contains the results of measurements
performed on both 0.4 m and 0.6 m diameter pool fires
produced by burning a layer of Prudhoe Bay crude oil
supported by a thermally deep layer of water. Both
steady and vigorous burning caused by boiling of the
water sublayer were observed. The measured energy
release rate for steady burning was about 640 kW/m(2).
The emission rate, the size distribution, and specific
extinction coefficient were measured for the smoke
aerosol produced by the fires. Data were also obtained
on the structure of the smoke aerosol by electron
microscopy and on emission of CO and CO2. Analysis of
the crude oil burn residue indicated selected depletion
of the short chain alkanes and cycloalkanes when
compared to the fresh oil. Mono-ring aromatics
including benzene, toluene, and xylenes present in the
fresh crude were absent in the burn residue.
Calculations of the induced air flow into a simulated
distribution of 20 fires over a 100 m x 100 m area
showed that the maximum inflow velocity near the largest
size fire (2.5 m diameter, 3.2 MW) was 1.1 m/s.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899