Evaluation of models and important parameters for firebrand burning

Lattimer, Brian Y.; Bearinger, Elias; Wong, Steven; Hodges, Jonathan L.

doi:10.1016/j.combustflame.2021.111619

Cited by 12 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Understanding the parameters that affect firebrand burning conditions is needed to quantify and model heat transfer from firebrands to combustible surfaces. In research at Virginia Tech University in the United States, an experimental and analytical effort was conducted to determine the variable relationships that control firebrand burning (Lattimer et al, 2022). A series of experiments were performed to quantify the mass loss rate, temperature, and char diameter change with time for single and arrays of cylindrical firebrands.…”

Section: Firebrand Ignition Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The world is burning: What exactly are firebrands and why should anyone care?

Manzello¹,

Suzuki²

2023

Front. Mech. Eng.

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Large outdoor fires have become commonplace all over the world. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines large outdoor fires as an urban fire, tsunami-generated fire, volcano-generated fire, wildland-urban interface (WUI) fire, wildland fire, or informal settlement fire, where the total burnout area is significant. Perhaps of all the large outdoor fires, it is wildland fires that spread into urban areas, simply called WUI fires that attract the most attention. A glance at the recent headlines in the summer of 2022 reveals numerous catastrophic WUI fires all over Europe. Across the Atlantic Ocean in the USA, there is yet another destructive WUI fire raging in the USA state of California. With the increasing risks from a changing climate, these large outdoor fire disasters are only going to become more and more commonplace all over the world. More homes will be lost and more lives will be lost. It is the authors opinion that a targeted, multi-disciplinary approach is needed to address the large outdoor fire problem. In this short, invited paper to Horizons in Mechanical Engineering, it is argued that large outdoor fire problem is a fascinating and challenging research area and that engineers have the necessary skills and training to impact a problem that influences millions upon millions of people all over the world. An important danger, present in all large outdoor fires, are firebrands. Firebrands are introduced for non-specialist readers, and the most recent literature is reviewed. Several challenges are discussed, in particular, areas where engineers may help move the needle forward on this globally important topic.

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Section: Firebrand Ignition Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The world is burning: What exactly are firebrands and why should anyone care?

Manzello¹,

Suzuki²

2023

Front. Mech. Eng.

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“…Heat and mass transfer processes in a smoldering firebrand. 24 been converted into ash. The char core may also have cracks on the surface, which then allow for a deeper burning of the core.…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Wesseis et al 23 measured surface temperatures for various flow conditions and firebrand arrangements. Lattimer et al 24 simultaneously measured firebrand mass loss and surface temperature for different firebrand configurations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A comprehensive understanding of char oxidation requires the estimation of several local quantities. For instance, Lattimer et al 24 evaluated the use of several char oxidation models using a 1D model for a single firebrand and an array of firebrands. Among these models, the Reynolds analogy performed best, especially at higher temperatures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Turns 21 used the electric current analogy to derive an expression for mass loss rate of spherical coal particles. Lattimer et al 24 derived convective and kinetic resistances for firebrand char oxidation. Equations ( 16)-( 18) provide the expressions necessary to compute convective and kinetic resistances.…”

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confidence: 99%

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A computational fluid dynamics model to estimate local quantities in firebrand char oxidation

Banagiri,

Meadows,

Lattimer

2023

Journal of Fire Sciences

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Firebrand burning is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by several parameters which are difficult to fully explore experimentally. Computational fluid dynamics models capable of predicting local quantities are essential for accurate prediction of char oxidation in firebrands. This article presents a computational fluid dynamics model to estimate firebrand mass loss, diameter change, and surface temperature during char oxidation. The model was validated using previously conducted wind tunnel experiments. These experiments were conducted for firebrands of two different aspect ratios, which were arranged in three different configurations (single, horizontal array, and vertical array), and for four different wind speeds (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 m/s). The computational fluid dynamics results were compared with a previous 1 D model. In all the test cases, the computational fluid dynamics model predicted the physical phenomena with significantly improved accuracy compared to a 1 D model. The char oxidation model presented in this article can be coupled with other models to study firebrand generation and trajectory, biomass pyrolysis, fluidized bed reactors, and coal combustion.

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