RATE OF HEAT RELEASE FROM MATERIALS SUBJECTED TO FIRE CONDITIONS

Abstract

The present study deals with determining the heat release rate from wood, . using temperature measurement of exhaust gases .. For. this purpose a test rig has been constructed to test wood specimen during firing process. Temperatures of exhaust gases, specimen surface, air inlet had been measured. Two types of wood had been used ( Pinewood and Redwood). Three levels of heat flux were projected to the specimen namely: 26, 38 and 54 kW/m2 Three levels of air mass Studying the development of fire was very important to protect souls and money from its effect. Fires have been studied by many previous investigators, Materials that have been subjected to fire represent the fuel of this fire. The concept of heat release rate has been helpful- to predict the firing development and energy produced from firing. Firing of wood starts by increasing the temperature of the wood by any external source of heat. When wood reaches a critical point to self-ignition it starts to ignite. Burning of wood normally continues until all wood becomes ash .. During this process, heat release rate from wood changes according to the type of wood although the sequence of firing process is the same. A significant amount of investigations for firing process depend on heat release rate, theoretically and experimentally.