Experimental study of corner fires—Part II: Flame spread over MDF panels

Study of the importance of non-uniform mass density in numerical simulations of fire spread over MDF panels in a corner configuration

“…CS panels ('CSCS ') [11], and 3 tests with MDF panels ('MM1 ', 'MM2 ' and 'MM3 ') [12]. As shown in Fig.…”

“…The details of the set-up and testing methodology have been reported in [11], and the tests with MDF panels have been discussed in [12]. A total of 4 tests were conducted at a burner HRR of 30 kW, including 1 test with Figure 1: The set-up of the SBI experiments [11,12] (all distance units in meters), showing the locations of heat flux measurement using Schmidt-Boelter sensors S1 to S3 ( ).…”

“…1, and pyrolysis fronts are visually tracked in the footage, considering the front to be at the outermost location at which MDF material has pyrolyzed and charred [11]. Only the first 900 s of the experiments are considered, during which the fire did not penetrate through the MDF panels [12]. Table 1: The HRR ramp of the propane burner in the experiments [11,12] and the corresponding mass flow rate of propane in the simulations.…”

“…The SBI test, in addition, forms the basis for classification of linings in Europe [10]. This paper presents a numerical study of the corner fire experiments with Calcium Silicate (CS) and MDF panels that have been described in [11,12].…”

“…There is no flame spread on the panels in this case, making it possible to assess the predicted flame height and heat fluxes of the burner itself. Subsequently, the MDF simulations are discussed and evaluated against the experiments with MDF panels [12], including results of total Heat Release Rates (HRR), total heat fluxes and flame heights, considering cases with both uniform and non-uniform mass density profiles through the thickness of the panels. In addition, results of fire spread and pyrolysis front propagation are discussed, using a new diagnostic based on char fraction.…”