Combustion of Wood in Methanol Flames

Abstract

This paper presents experimental results on the burning of square and round rods and flat plates of wood in methanol flames. The dependence of the burning time and weight-loss rate on the initial thickness of the specimens was investigated. The size dependence of the burning elements was found to be practically independent of the environmental conditions. Central temperature histories and mass loss curves of the burning cylinders were correlated with initial diameter.

Behind the flaming zone: Predicting woody fuel consumption in eucalypt forest fires in southern Australia

“…When the combination of duration and heating is sufficient to raise the mass of fuel to ignition temperature (about 320 • C is usually assumed (Sussot, 1984)) and fuel/air ratio is appropriate, then woody fuels will ignite (Clements and Alkidas, 1973). Once ignited, burning woody fuels produce water vapour and carbon dioxide, releasing heat and providing energy to bring additional fuel to ignition (Anderson, 1970;Clements and Alkidas, 1973;Shafizadeh et al, 1977;Pyne et al, 1996). This reaction is self-sustaining (Luke and McArthur, 1977) and in the absence of oxygen, pyrolysis works to break down fuels (Ward, 2001).…”

“…Residual charcoal will continue to burn away leaving only mineral ash (Luke and McArthur, 1977) until the point of extinction when the combustion process is no longer able to be sustained (Pyne et al, 1996). Combined, Table 1 Variables that have been identified as affecting combustion processes and consumption of woody fuels during forest fires (Anderson, 1969(Anderson, , 1990Burrows, 1994Burrows, , 2001Finney et al, 2003;Hall, 1991;Hamilton et al, 1991;Hawkes and Taylor, 1993;Hough, 1968;Kauffman and Martin, 1989;Knapp et al, 2005;Lawson et al, 1997;Marsden-Smedley and Slijepcevic, 2001;McRae, 1980;O'Loughlin et al, 1982;Ottmar, 1987;Ottmar et al, 1990;Reinhardt et al, 1989;Sandberg and Ottmar, 1983;Schroeder et al, 2006;Skinner, 2002;Sparks et al, 2002;Stocks, 1987;Taylor and Sherman, 1996;Tinker and Knight, 2000;Tolhurst and Cheney, 1999;Uzoh and Skinner, 2009;in chronological order Cheney (1966) thinning slash, silvertop ash (E. seiberi) Au x x x Hough (1968) slash-longleaf pine US x Anderson (1969) mixed conifer forest US x Anderson (1970) general forest fuels US x Brown and Davis (1973) general forest fuels US x x x Clements and Alkidas (1973) laboratory experiments, white fir (Abies concolor)…”

“…Flames propagate through the fuel bed and become attached to the outer surface of woody fuels immersing them into a flaming environment (Clements and Alkidas, 1973;Albini and Reinhardt, 1995). Important to woody fuel ignition is the concept of flame front residence time.…”

Burning Behavior of Vertical Matchstick Arrays

“…Clements and Alkidas (1973) performed experiments on wood (birch) cylinders and square segments in methanol flames. Their experimental data of burnout times for different wood diameters were curve fit to find a relationship between burnout time and initial diameter, t b % 81(d) 1.6 , where t b is in seconds and d in centimeters.…”