Controlling mechanisms in the transition from smoldering to flaming of flexible polyurethane foam

Tse, Stephen D.; Carlo, Aldo Di; Nde-Pello, Ferna; Miyasaka, Kenji

doi:10.1016/s0082-0784(96)80372-9

Cited by 49 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…3(b)) show that the smolder reaction has propagated away from the igniter and that the lower half of the sample has cooled. This is consistent with other smolder tests [3,4,10] and is due to heat losses to the surrounding. The second, third, and fourth infrared images correspond to the opening of a large hole on the sample surface as seen in the video imaging.…”

Section: Thermocouple Video and Infrared Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

“…The experimental configuration is similar to that employed by Tse et al [4] i.e. three-dimensional forward smolder with a solid/gas interface.…”

Section: Experiments Concept and Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It encompasses phenomena related to the ignition of a homogeneous gas phase reaction (flaming) that is induced by a heterogeneous surface reaction (smolder) that acts both as the source of gaseous fuel (pyrolyzate, CO, etc.) and the source of heat to initiate the homogeneous reaction [1][2][3][4]. That it is a fire hazard is confirmed by the fact that more than 40% of United States fire deaths can be attributed to smoldering [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The transition from smoldering to flaming in the presence of a porous-solid/gas interface is of interest since it is likely to occur in practical situations. In this case the transport processes at the interface may play an important role in the process [3,4]. The flow of oxidizer at the solid/gas interface can enhance or deter the smolder process, depending on the balance between the oxygen supply to the reaction, and convective heat loss from the reaction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior work in transition from smoldering to flaming considered cellulosic materials or polyurethane foam 4 samples of different sizes and with different oxygen concentrations [3,4,[11][12][13][14][15]. Most of the experiments were conducted with a solid/ gas interface, in a horizontal arrangement for loose materials, or vertical for materials that maintained their structure during smolder.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Transition from forward smoldering to flaming in small polyurethane foam samples

Bar-Ilan

Putzeys

Rein

et al. 2005

Proceedings of the Combustion Institute

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Experimental observations are presented of the effect of flow velocity, oxygen concentration, and a thermal radiant flux, on the transition from smoldering to flaming in forward smoldering of small samples of polyurethane foam with a gas/solid interface. The experiments are part of a project studying the transition from smoldering to flaming under conditions encountered in spacecraft facilities, i.e., microgravity, low velocity variable oxygen concentration flows. Because the microgravity experiments are planned for the International Space Station, the foam samples had to be limited in size for safety and launch mass reasons. The feasible sample size is too small for smolder to self propagate because of heat losses to the surroundings. Thus, the smolder propagation and the transition to flaming had to be assisted by reducing heat losses to the surroundings and increasing the oxygen concentration. The experiments are conducted with small parallelepiped samples vertically placed in a wind tunnel. Three of the sample lateral-sides are maintained at elevated temperature and the fourth side is exposed to an upward flow and a radiant flux. It is found that decreasing the flow velocity and increasing its oxygen concentration, and/or increasing the radiant flux enhances the transition to flaming, and reduces the time delay to transition.Limiting external conditions for the transition to flaming are reported for this experimental configuration.The results show that smolder propagation and transition to flaming can occur in relatively small fuel samples if the external conditions are appropriate. The results also indicate that transition to flaming occurs in the char region left behind by the smolder reaction, and it has the characteristics of a gas-phase ignition induced by the smolder reaction, which acts as the source of both gaseous fuel and heat. A simplified energy balance analysis is able to predict the boundaries between the transition/no transition regions.

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Section: Thermocouple Video and Infrared Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

“…The experimental configuration is similar to that employed by Tse et al [4] i.e. three-dimensional forward smolder with a solid/gas interface.…”

Section: Experiments Concept and Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%