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Author(s):
Miguel G. Cruz, Bret W. Butler, Domingos Xavier Viegas, Pedro Palheiro
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Fire Behavior
Data Evaluation or Data Analysis for Fire Modeling

NRFSN number: 16927
Record updated:

The present study is aimed at quantifying the flame radiosity vertical profile and gas temperature in moderate to high intensity spreading fires in shrubland fuels. We report on the results from 11 experimental fires conducted over a range of fire rate of spread and frontal fire intensity varying respectively between 0.04–0.35 m s1 and 468–14,973 kW m1. Flame radiosity, or radiant emissive power, and gas temperatures were measured with narrow angle radiometers and fine wire thermocouples located at three different heights in the flames, 0.6, 1.1 and 1.6 m above ground. Measured peak radiosity within the visual flame region (reaction zone and free flame) varied between 41 and 176 kW m2. Measurements within the intermittent flame region above the visually estimated average flame height varied between 10 and 30 kW m2. The flame vertical radiometric profile was characterized by a uniform area within the reaction zone and lower free flame, and a decrease in radiosity with height as the measurements approach the flame tip.

Citation

Cruz, Miguel G.; Butler, Bret W.; Viegas, Domingos X.; Palheiro, Pedro. 2011. Characterization of flame radiosity in shrubland fires. Combustion and Flame. 158: 1970-1976. doi:10.1016/j.combustflame.2011.03.002

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