Evaluation of CFD simulations of transient pool fire burning rates

Fire is the most commonly occurring major accident hazard in chemical and process industries, with industry statistics highlighting liquid pool fire as frequent event. Modelling of such phenomena feeds heavily into risk assessment consequence analyses. Traditional simple empirical equations cannot account for full range factors influencing behaviour or increasingly complex plant design. The use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling enables a greater understanding to be gained numerically provides capability deal scenarios. This paper presents an evaluation Simulator (FDS) predictive burning rates. Specifically, work examines ability model predict temporal variations rate open atmosphere fires. Fires ranging from 0.4 4 m diameter, involving ethanol hydrocarbons fuels, are considered comparisons predicted fuel mass loss rates compared experimental measurements. results show that pyrolysis sub-model FDS gives consistent performance fully rates, particularly during quasi-steady burning. However, falls short predicting subtleties associated each phase transient process, failing reliably growth extinction. suggest modifications which could lead improved prediction extinction phases fires, specifically, investigation of: ignition techniques high boiling temperature fuels; combustion regime combining both infinite finite-rate chemistry; solution method accounts two- three-dimensional heat conduction effects liquid-phase; alternative surrogate compositions multi-component hydrocarbon modification procedure used at liquid-gas interface