Modeling flame structure in wildland fires using the one-dimensional turbulence model

Abstract

The mechanism of flame propagation in wildland fire fuel beds is of critical importance for understanding and quantifying fire spread rates. Recent observations and experiments have indicated the dominance of flame propagation by direct contact between flames and unburnt fuel, as opposed to propagation via radiative heating alone. It is postulated that effects of radiative heating are offset by convective cooling associated with the turbulent, buoyant flames drawing in surrounding air, resulting in fuel surface temperatures too low to achieve ignition. Propagation via direct flame bathing occurs at the interface between burning and unburnt fuel particles where the flame is highly turbulent and intermittent. Quantifying this mode of flame propagation requires a detailed description of this intermittent, turbulent flame interface.

Citation

Lignell, David O.; Monson, Elizabeth I.; Finney, Mark A. 2010. Modeling flame structure in wildland fires using the one-dimensional turbulence model. In: Viegas, D. X., ed. Proceedings of the VI International Conference on Forest Fire Research; 15-18 November 2010; Coimbra, Portugal. Coimbra, Portugal: University of Coimbra. 10 p.