Article,
A numerical model to simulate smouldering fires in bulk materials and dust deposits
Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 19 (2-3): 218--226 (2006)
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jlp.2005.03.005
Abstract
A numerical model is presented which consists of a set of partial
differential equations for the transport of heat and mass fractions
of eight chemical species to describe the onset of self-ignition
and the propagation of smouldering fires in deposits of bulk materials
or dust accumulations. The chemical reaction sub-model includes solid
fuel decomposition and the combustion of char, carbon monoxide and
hydrogen. The model has been validated against lab-scale self-ignition
and smouldering propagation experiments and then applied to predictions
of fire scenarios in a lignite coal silo. Predicted reaction temperatures
of 550 K and propagation velocities of the smouldering front of about
6 mm/h are in good agreement with experimental values derived from
lab-scale experiments.
