Numerical Simulation of Low-pressure Explosive Combustion in Compartment Fires

Title of dissertation: NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF LOW-PRESSURE EXPLOSIVE COMBUSTION IN COMPARTMENT FIRES Hu Zhixin Doctor of Philosophy, 2008 Dissertation directed by: Professor Arnaud Trouvé Department of Mechanical Engineering A filtered progress variable approach is adopted for large eddy simulations (LES) of turbulent deflagrations. The deflagration model is coupled with a nonpremixed combustion model, either an equilibrium-chemistry, mixture-fraction based model, or an eddy dissipation model. The coupling interface uses a LES-resolved flame index formulation and provides partially-premixed combustion (PPC) modeling capability. The PPC sub-model is implemented into the Fire Dynamic Simulator (FDS) developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is then applied to the study of explosive combustion in confined fuel vapor clouds. Current limitations of the PPC model are identified first in two separate series of simulations: 1) a series of simulation corresponding to laminar flame propagation across homogeneous mixtures in open or closed tunnel-like configurations; and 2) a grid refinement study corresponding to laminar flame propagation across a vertically-stratified layer. An experimental database previously developed by FM Global Research, featuring controlled ignition followed by explosive combustion in an enclosure filled with vertically-stratified mixtures of propane in air, is used as a test configuration for model validation. Sealed and vented configurations are both considered, with and without obstacles in the chamber. These pressurized combustion cases present a particular challenge to the bulk pressure algorithm in FDS, which has robustness, accuracy and stability issues, in particular in vented configurations. Two modified bulk pressure models are proposed and evaluated by comparison between measured and simulated pressure data in the Factory Mutual Global (FMG) test configuration. The first model is based on a modified bulk pressure algorithm and uses a simplified expression for pressure valid in a vented compartment under quasi-steady conditions. The second model is based on solving an ordinary differential equation for bulk pressure (including a relaxation term proposed to stabilize possible Helmholtz oscillations) and modified vent flow velocity boundary conditions that are made bulk-pressure-sensitive. Comparisons with experiments are encouraging and demonstrate the potential of the new modeling capability for simulations of low pressure explosions in stratified fuel vapor clouds. NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF LOW-PRESSURE EXPLOSIVE COMBUSTION IN COMPARTMENT FIRES