Some Thoughts and Experiments on Liquid Fuel Flame Spreading, Steady Burning and Ignitability in Quiescent Atmospheres
Abstract
The concept of the liquid flash point is shown to be important in evaluating the means of propagation of a flame across a fuel surface. Gas phase phenomena control the propagation rate when the liquid temperature is above the flash point and liquid phase phenomena control when the temperature is below the flash point. Fluid motion generated by surface tension and/or buoyancy (gravity) effects plays a dominant part in this latter case. Increasing the viscosity of the fuel lowers the rate of flame propagation, but increases its ignitability, as given by model and experiment. It would be expected that the steady burning rate would be lowered as well. The theories of flame spreading and steady burning under quiescent conditions have been reviewed critically. The new models presented have practical implications with respect to oil tanker disasters, inhibition of flame propagation by foamed plastics, and the ignitability, flame propagation and extinguishment characteristics of thickened fuels.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- ADA952008
Entities
People
- Irvin Glassman
- James G. Hansel
Organizations
- Princeton University