This paper presents data on the limiting (minimum) oxygen concentration (LOC), in the presence of added N2, of methane (CH4), propane (C3H8), ethylene (C2H4), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen (H2), and some of their binary mixtures. It also addresses the issue of the flammable concentration (flammability) limits of these pure gases in air. The study is based on spark ignited explosions in lar...

The idea that flammability has evolved in man) tire-prone communities has been criticised for being group-selectionist. However flammability may enhance inclusive fitness if the resulting tires kill neighbouring less flammable indi\iduals and also open recruitment possibilities. We modelled the evolution ot flammabilits usmg cellular automata to simulate neighbourhood effects of burning. For pl...

The objectives of this paper are to assess in laboratory conditions the flammability of undisturbed litter sampled beneath plants of seven species that are among those most frequently planted in hedges in Provence (southeastern France). Results were the variability in flammability recorded during burning experiments performed on undisturbed litter samples were partly explained by the proportion...

A new apparatus has been constructed to investigate the quenching of laminar hydrocarbon-air flames, at elevated initial pressures. The pressure-tight quenching channel is of trapezoidal form, with very smooth decrease of the channel width along its one meter length that is almost equivalent to a parallel-plate flame arrester. Propane-air mixture has been tested on the entire flammability domai...

Molecular dynamic simulations of the thermal degradation of polyethylene were used to identify factors which might be effective in reducing polymer flammability by promoting the formation of a residual char. Computer movies of the calculated trajectories indicate that cross-linked polymers, such as those obtained from exposure of polyethylene to ionizing radiation, will undergo further cross-li...

Extinction limits and flame bifurcation of lean premixed dimethyl ether-air flames are investigated numerically using the counterflow flame with a reduced chemistry. Emphasis is paid to the combined effect of radiation and flame stretch on the extinction and flammability limits. A method based on the reaction front is presented to predict the Markstein length. The predicted positive Markstein l...

A large pilot plant was constructed to study the upper flammability limit of ethene-air-nitrogen mixtures under conditions of flow. The gas mixtures flowed through an explosion tube with a length of 3.0 m and a diameter of 21 ram. An electrically heated wire was used as ignition source. Experiments were performed at pressures of 5 and 10 bar, with gas temperatures between 25 and 300 °C and with...

Effective mitigation of external fires on structures can be achieved flexibly, economically, and aesthetically by (1) preventing large-area ignition on structures by avoiding close proximity of burning vegetation; and (2) stopping flame travel from firebrands landing on combustible building objects. Using bench-scale and mid-scale fire tests to obtain flammability properties of common building ...

During periods with epidemic mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) populations in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) forests, large amounts of tree foliage are thought to undergo changes in moisture content and chemistry brought about by tree decline and death. However, many of the presumed changes have yet to be quantified. In this study, we...

Fire is nearly ubiquitous in the terrestrial biosphere, with profound effects on earth surface carbon storage, climate, and forest functions. Fuel quality is an important parameter determining forest fire behavior, which differs among both tree species and organs. Fuel quality is not static: when dead plant material decomposes, its structural, chemical, and water dynamic properties change, with...