Designing an experimental rig for developing a fire severity model using numerical simulation

Moinuddin, Khalid; Nguyen, Trong Dac; Mahmud, H. M. Iqbal

doi:10.1002/fam.2439

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Simulations of pyrolysis reactions with flaming ignition using a similar one-dimensional heat transfer model were conducted in [ 11 , 12 ], where a fixed gas phase heat source was added to account for radiation from the flame. In [ 13 ], when fire sizes were prescribed in a CFD-based fire model, FDS prevents the gasification phase, and the gas temperatures and radiation fluxes, at various locations within a compartment, were well predicted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Simulation of Coupled Pyrolysis and Combustion Reactions with Directly Measured Fire Properties

2020

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In this study, numerical simulations of coupled solid-phase reactions (pyrolysis) and gas-phase reaction (combustion) were conducted. During a fire, both charring and non-charring materials undergo a pyrolysis as well as a combustion reaction. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based fire model (Fire Dynamics Simulator, FDS version 6.2) was used for simulating the PMMA (non-charring), pine (charring), wool (charring) and cotton (charring) flaming fire experiments conducted with a cone calorimeter at 50 and 30 kW/m2 irradiance. The inputs of chemical kinetics and the heat of reaction were obtained from sample mass change and enthalpy data in TGA and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests and the flammability parameters were obtained from cone calorimeter experiments. An iso-conversional analytical model was used to obtain the kinetic triplet of the above materials. The thermal properties related to heat transfer were also mostly obtained in house. All these directly measured fire properties were inputted to FDS in order to model the coupled pyrolysis–combustion reactions to obtain the heat release rate (HRR) or mass loss. The comparison of the results from the simulations of non-prescribed fires show that experimental HRR or mass loss curve can be reasonably predicted if input parameters are directly measured and appropriately used. Some guidance to the optimization and inverse analysis technique to generate fire properties is provided.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Simulation of Coupled Pyrolysis and Combustion Reactions with Directly Measured Fire Properties

2020

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“…However, it is important to examine the accuracy of the CFD model before using it for the design and analysis of fire-suppression systems. The results of a numerical model need to be verified by using analytical solutions and/or be validated against the experimental test results [44].…”

Section: Cfd Modelling Techniquementioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental and Numerical Studies on the Efficacy of Water Mist to Suppress Hydrocarbon Fires in Enclosures

Moinuddin,

Mahmud,

Joseph

et al. 2024

Fire

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Fire is one of the most undesirable events onboard a ship. The engine room is one of the most critical spaces in the ship in terms of fire protection, as it includes machinery, hydrocarbon fuel systems, and different electrical equipment. With the phasing out of Halon 1301 as a fire suppressant over recent decades, there has been an intensive effort to explore the efficacy of water-mist spray in mitigating fires within machinery spaces. This exploration entails a comprehensive investigation through experimental and simulation studies aimed at identifying suppression mechanisms and evaluating their effectiveness. While experimental setups typically encompass measurements of gas temperature, thermal radiation heat flux, oxygen concentration, and fire extinction time, limited attention has been paid to quantifying the heat release rate (HRR), a crucial indicator of fire magnitude. Furthermore, research into shielded fire scenarios remains sparse, despite their significance in maritime fire dynamics. Addressing shielded fires with water mist proves particularly challenging due to the potential obstruction impeding the direct interaction between the fire source and the water droplets. In the existing literature, most of the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling of fires and suppression was performed using a Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). Alternate studies were performed using FireFOAM. and very few employed FLUENT and other analogous software codes. In the majority of reported computational studies, the determination of HRR was typically relied upon for its calculation derived from the measured data of fuel mass loss rate. Moreover, certain studies were undertaken for numerical simulations without conducting thorough model validation, either by omitting validation altogether or solely validating against dry fire experiments (i.e., without water-mist suppression). This critical review of the literature has identified several notable research gaps in the context of extinguishing hydrocarbon fires utilising water-mist spray, warranting further investigations. Additionally, this review paper highlights recent advancements in both experimental and numerical investigations pertaining to the efficacy of water-mist fire-suppression systems in enclosed spaces regarding hydrocarbon fires.

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“…An example is shown in the below screen captures from CFD-based fire model Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) [46] (Figure 4a) and evacuation model, Pathfinder [47] (Figure 4b). FDS model was developed by National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) and is being used by both researchers [27,48,49] and fire safety engineers. Pathfinder can be used to calculate occupant movement time of occupants in a building and it has also been used by researchers [50] and fire safety engineers alike.…”

Section: Determination Of Consequencementioning

confidence: 99%

Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Life Safety for a Six-Storey Commercial Building with an Open Stair Interconnecting Four Storeys: A Case Study

Sabapathy¹,

Depetro²,

Moinuddin

2019

Fire Technol

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The gold standard for complying Performance Requirements is based on a Quantitative Probabilistic Risk Assessment (QPRA) method. This case study demonstrates the application of this approach to performance based design of a six-storey commercial building with an open stair interconnecting four storeys. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) based and zone fire as well as evacuation simulations are used to quantify consequences whilst detailed event trees underpinned by statistical data and analysis are utilised to calculate corresponding probabilities. Results are combined in a trade-off analysis tool which calculates the Expected Risk to Life (ERL) based on the trial design features included in each design option. The approach was used to determine a preferred design that achieves an acceptably low ERL and compliance with the Performance Requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The benchmark ERL was set as 1.36 deaths/1000 fires or a probability of death from a fire of 1.36 x 10-3 based on local statistical data. To obtain an optimum fire safety design (Alternative Solution) a layered approach was adopted in which fire safety systems were added until the risk to occupants in the building due to a fire is the same or less than the benchmark ERL. Eventually three sets of trial design were considered and in all cases the calculated ERL were roughly 22% lower than the benchmark. Eventually the trial design with the least number of fire safety systems were recommended as the Alternative Solution. The trade-off analysis shows the sprinklers and wallwetting sprinklers in the office area resulted in a 20-fold difference in the building wide ERL, each. Schematic Design Fire Specification Event Tree Development Preliminary Risk Assessment and Scenario Generation Data Collection/Analysis Collect and analyse relevant data Determine credible fire scenarios (causes, locations, etc.) Conduct preliminary, qualitative risk analysis Complete risk ranking and short list design fire scenarios Identify all possible statuses of fire safety subsystems Construct event tree and generate possible outcomes Calculate probabilities using relevant data

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Designing an experimental rig for developing a fire severity model using numerical simulation

Cited by 4 publications

References 12 publications

Numerical Simulation of Coupled Pyrolysis and Combustion Reactions with Directly Measured Fire Properties

Numerical Simulation of Coupled Pyrolysis and Combustion Reactions with Directly Measured Fire Properties

Experimental and Numerical Studies on the Efficacy of Water Mist to Suppress Hydrocarbon Fires in Enclosures

Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Life Safety for a Six-Storey Commercial Building with an Open Stair Interconnecting Four Storeys: A Case Study

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