Characteristics of Leading Flame Edge on a Moving Combustible Solid Surface∗∗

∗ National Institute of Industrial Safety, Ministry of Labor, 1-4-6 Umezono, Kiyose-shi, Tokyo 204, Japan.

Abstract

An experimental study was performed in order lo explore characteristics of the leading flame edge of a spreading flame over a combustible material. The movement of gasifying region of the combustible solid beneath the flame was simulated using a velocity controllable experimental apparatus on which a burning PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) piece was installed. In the experiments, the characteristics of the leading flame edge were examined by changing the velocity of apparatus from 0 to 100 cm/s after a stable flame was established on the piece. It was found a stable leading flame edge was kept when the velocity of apparatus, i.e. the velocity of the leading flame edge, was below a limiting velocity in between 30 cm/s ∼ 40 cm/s in the present experiments. For the velocities of the leading flame edge below the limiting velocity, the leading flame edge was indicated lo be very similar to those of the diflusion flames at the stagnation region.

Keywords:

• Fire
• solid
• flame spread
• flame spread mechanisms
• leading flame edge
• fuel movement

Notes

∗ National Institute of Industrial Safety, Ministry of Labor, 1-4-6 Umezono, Kiyose-shi, Tokyo 204, Japan.

∗∗Translated from Japanese. Originally published in Nensho no Kagaku to Gijutsu [Combustion Science and Technology Japanese Edition], 3, 29-40 (1995).