A Non-Linear Model of Flashover

Abstract

A zonal formulation has been used to construct a non-linear model with a single state-variable corresponding to temperature. The governing equatisu are shown to be equivalent to a system with a swallowtail catastrophe. Using the model, conoitions may be identified which produce a jump and such a jump in the model's behaviour is being associated with one kind of flashover jump, i.e. that in which a fuel-controlled state becomes unstable. Thereby, the conditions for a flashover jump may be elucidated.