Effects of vitiation on the heat release rate in mechanically-ventilated compartment fires

Abstract

The prediction of the heat release rate in compartment fires is still a challenging question due to the feedback of the environmental variables on the burning rate. A set of large-scale, mechanically-ventilated pool fire experiments supports the present analysis. Most of these tests yielded a quasi steady-state with limited pyrolysis compared to well-ventilated conditions. From a well-stirred reactor approach, the effect of vitiation on the steady-state pyrolysis rate is discussed. The Global Equivalence Ratio concept, expressed as 2 0 " well-ventilated conditions (a) in well-ventilated conditions.