Experimental and theoretical research on burning rate and radiative heat flux of thin-layer fuel with lateral continuous leakage

Author：Li, C. X., Ji, J., Wang, C., Tong, W. X.

Journal：Energy

DOI:  10.1016/j.energy.2024.132330

Keywords: Fuel leakage, Thin -layer fuel, Flame shape, Burning rate, External radiation, thermal-radiation, pool, feedback, scale, fires, Thermodynamics, Energy & Fuels

Abstract: 

This paper presents an experimental study on the combustion behavior of lateral continuous leakage of heptane and gasoline on a steel substrate. The flame shape characteristics of the two fuels at different leakage rates were recorded and described. Variation trends in burning area and flame height with leakage rate were analyzed, and variations in flame width against the flame height were formulated. The mass loss rate was lower than that of the pool fire at the same equivalent diameter. Based on the fuel layer heat feedback and heat loss analysis, the mass loss rate for thin fuel layer combustion was calculated and verified to be about 0.013 kg/(m(2)center dot s). Then, a multilayer inclined cuboid flame model was established. Compared with the classical point source model and the cuboid flame model, the new model has better accuracy in predicting the external radiation of the combustion of thin-layer fuel. We hope to gain insights into the dynamics of such fires to inform fire prevention and control in initial spill scenarios.