An Algorithm for Calculating the Plume Centerline Temperature in the Presence of a Hot Upper Layer

Abstract

The analysis of recent experiments using JP-5 and JP-8 pool fires performed in 15 m and 22 m high hangars suggests that plume centerline temperature correlations found in the computer fire model FPEtool underpredict the ceiling temperature for large fires. The analysis was based on the results of thirty-three fire tests which had heat release rates ranging from 100 kW to 33 MW and ambient temperatures ranging from 8°C to 31 °C. It is shown that using Evans' virtual source method, coupled with a radiative fraction correla tion that depends on pool diameter, provides plume centerline temperature predictions that agree with experiment. When an upper layer does not form, Heskestad's correlation provides good agreement with the measured plume centerline temperatures.

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