Effect of heat flux on combustion of different wood species. (15th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hao, Huali; Chow, Cheuk Lun; Lau, Denvid
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 278(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-15
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide -- Carbon monoxide -- Charring rate -- Cone calorimeter -- Heat release rate -- Wood combustion; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118325
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The fire performances of oak, larch and red cedar are figured out. Effect of heat flux on the fire performance is attenuated with its increment. Heat flux has less effect in wood species with a higher content of lignin. Red cedar has a greater fire resistance when compared with oak and larch. Abstract: The fire safety of wood is the most important concern in its structural and architectural applications. In this work, the combustion of three typical wood species, namely, oak, larch and red cedar exposed to various heat fluxes was studied using the cone calorimeter. The fire performance including heat release rate, charring rate, production of toxic carbon monoxide and release of carbon dioxide was quantified. It is found that the fire performance of the wood species exposed to a low heat flux of 20 kW/m 2 differs completely from that exposed to a heat flux higher than 35 kW/m 2 . The effect of temperature on wood pyrolysis is attenuated with the increment of temperature. Compared with oak and larch, the fire performance of red cedar is more dependent on heat flux. Although red cedar requires less time to be ignited, it has the lowest heat release rate and the smallest amount of heat release, and exhibits a slower flame spread speed and the fastest charring rate with a high fire resistance rating. The satisfactory fire resistance of red cedar with a minimal heat flux effect on pyrolysis is correlated to the relatively high lignin content. Our findings provide guidance for woody structural design with a reduction in the emissions of harmful compounds.