Heat losses in a smouldering system: The key role of non-uniform air flux

Smouldering combustion is emerging as a valuable tool for energy conversion purposes. However, the effects of radial/lateral heat losses, while critical to its viability, are not well understood. It known that losses weaken smouldering reaction near walls. less these generate non-uniform air flux across system cross-section, potentially changing rates and quenching limits. This study integrated: (i) highly instrumented experiments numerous scales, (ii) novel method estimating in experiments, (iii) analytical modelling predict cooling, (iv) balance calculations quantify smouldering. Altogether, this work demonstrates loss-induced significant, affecting key propagation cooling characteristics. The uniform injected at base became redistributed with ~50% decrease centreline increase wall. was shown cause concave (in direction flow) front front. former radial transfer inwards, leading super-adiabatic heating towards centre reactor. latter inhibit along centreline, which progressed ~40% slower than expected during propagation. multiple integrated analyses used reveal magnitude significance systems. insight better harness engineering applications.