Characterization of Candle Flames.
Characterization of Candle Flames.
(456 K)
Hamins, A.; Bundy, M.; Dillon, S. E.
Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, Vol. 15, No. 4,
265-285, November 2005.
Keywords:
candles; arson; fire models; ignition; paraffin; wax;
ignition sources; fire investigators; experiments; cone
calorimeters; temperature; heat of combustion; mass
loss; regression rate; flame height; heat flux;
computational fluid dynamics
Abstract:
Common household open flame and radiant ignition sources
are the actual or suspected cause for many fires. The
purpose of this research is to identify the burning
behavior and properties of common candles in order to
provide additional tools for use by fire investigators.
The properties of paraffin wax are obtained from the
literature and from experiments. The candles are burned
under controlled laboratory conditions to measure the
mass burning rate, candle regression rate, flame height,
and heat flux. Using the properties of paraffin wax and
characteristics of the candles, numerous simulations are
performed with the NIST Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) to
model the burning rate and heat flux profile of the
candle flame. The modeling results are then compared
with the flame height and heat flux data obtained
experimentally. The model facilitates an enhanced
understanding of the structure of candle flames.
