Citation

Durbetaki P, Tingle WJ, Ryszytiwsky WP, Tincher WC. Fire Safety J. 1978; 1(4-5): 243-254.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1978, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Modeling analysis on the ignition of thermally thin and thermally thick materials uses an ignition criterion which incorporates the concentration dependent self-ignition temperature of the pyrolyzate-air mixtures. A device known as the lower ignition temperature and concentration apparatus (LITACA) was designed, constructed and used in determination of the self-ignition temperatures of pyrolyzate-air mixtures as a function of pyrolyzate concentration. Originally LITACA incorporated a resistance heater pyrolyzate generating furnace which provided heating rates up to 25 [deg]C/min. This furnace was later replaced by a radiant heater furnace which can produce heating rates in excess of 6000 [deg]C/min.The ignition characteristics of pyrolyzate gases generated from several fabrics and wood were determined at heating rates from 20 to 6000 [deg]C/min. The pyrolyzates from these materials showed certain common characteristics. As heating rate increased, the minimum self-ignition temperature decreased, the molecular weight of the pyrolyzate gases decreased, and the rich limit of ignition decreased. The lean limit of ignition was affected much less than the rich limit.