Mathematical modeling and computer simulation of fire phenomena

• Published in: Theoretical and computational fluid dynamics 1994-04, Vol.6-6 (2-3), p.125-139
• Main Authors: Baum, H. R., Ezekoye, O. A., McGrattan, K. B., Rehm, R. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0935-4964; 1432-2250
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00312345

An approach to the study of gas phase combustion and convection processes in fires using a combination of mathematical analysis and computer simulation is presented. It seeks to solve the governing equations directly (if approximately) by decomposing the fire into a large-scale convective and radiative transport problem coupled to a small-scale thermal-element model of combustion and radiative emission. The thermal-element model solves the combustion equations in a local Lagrangian coordinate system convected by the large-scale motion, which in turn is driven by the heat released by the combustion processes. The large-scale flow is studied using finite-difference techniques to solve large-eddy simulations of the Navier-Stokes equations. The basic theory behind the methodology is outlined and sample results of both large- and small-scale phenomena are presented. An analytical model of a large eddy is used to show how the simulation can be assembled to yield radiation feedback from a fire plume to a target surface. (Author)