Numerical Modeling of Smoke Formation in Smoldering Solid Fuels by Heterogeneous Condensation

Abstract

This paper describes the results of an investigation that has been concerned with the development of a model capable of providing information for assessing the role of heterogeneous condensation in the production of smoke from smoldering solid fuels. The one-dimensional model presented in this paper considers the behavior of a porous fuel slab that is externally irradiated at one; of its faces. The model considers the effects of thermal decomposition, char formation, flow of the decomposition products through the porous solid and heterogeneous condensation within the solid. A numerical solution procedure has been developed to solve the system of non-linear partial differential equations formulated to describe the model mathematically. The developed model has been used to elucidate the role of heterogeneous condensation within a smoldering solid in the production of smoke.