Abstract
The controlled atmosphere cone calorimeter (CACC) is a bench scale apparatus addressing some of the
limitations of the traditional cone calorimeter (CC) design, namely its inability to replicate later stage
enclosure fires of equivalence ratio ≥1 where fire behaviour becomes ventilation controlled. Cone calorimetry
provides an important link between polymer analysis and fire science. The addition of a controlled chamber
offers an opportunity to examine worst case fire conditions, considering the toxic and irritant yields, for many
materials. However, academic exploration on the sensitivity of control variables to collected results has been
limited (both in terms of number of papers and materials explored). Therefore, this work builds upon the
work of a previously published paper to examine the influence of inflow rate of air/nitrogen mixture into the
CACC chamber. The current work expands on the method of oxygen reduction (flow rates causing both
vitiation and under-ventilation), irradiance and fuel type. Experiments were conducted using a CACC at 30,
50 and 65 kW/m2 irradiance levels. Flow rates of 5, 10 and 20 L/min were used to investigate under-ventilated
conditions whilst flow rates of 100, 150 and 180 L/min were used for vitiated tests. Vitiated tests were
conducted in atmospheres with 17.5 and 20.95 vol% O2. This study has broadened the investigation to include
6 mm HDPE, PMMA, plywood, as well as electric cables (EQQ [S05Z1Z1-U] B2ca in accordance with
EN13501-6) and liquid fuel (isopropanol IPA-1000). The fuels represent a wide range of potential subjects
for CACC experimental research.
limitations of the traditional cone calorimeter (CC) design, namely its inability to replicate later stage
enclosure fires of equivalence ratio ≥1 where fire behaviour becomes ventilation controlled. Cone calorimetry
provides an important link between polymer analysis and fire science. The addition of a controlled chamber
offers an opportunity to examine worst case fire conditions, considering the toxic and irritant yields, for many
materials. However, academic exploration on the sensitivity of control variables to collected results has been
limited (both in terms of number of papers and materials explored). Therefore, this work builds upon the
work of a previously published paper to examine the influence of inflow rate of air/nitrogen mixture into the
CACC chamber. The current work expands on the method of oxygen reduction (flow rates causing both
vitiation and under-ventilation), irradiance and fuel type. Experiments were conducted using a CACC at 30,
50 and 65 kW/m2 irradiance levels. Flow rates of 5, 10 and 20 L/min were used to investigate under-ventilated
conditions whilst flow rates of 100, 150 and 180 L/min were used for vitiated tests. Vitiated tests were
conducted in atmospheres with 17.5 and 20.95 vol% O2. This study has broadened the investigation to include
6 mm HDPE, PMMA, plywood, as well as electric cables (EQQ [S05Z1Z1-U] B2ca in accordance with
EN13501-6) and liquid fuel (isopropanol IPA-1000). The fuels represent a wide range of potential subjects
for CACC experimental research.
Original language | English |
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Number of pages | 1 |
Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 4 Jun 2022 |
Event | ACS Fire and Polymers - Napa Valley, Napa, United States Duration: 5 Jun 2022 → 8 Jun 2022 https://www.polyacs.net/22fipoaccommodations |
Conference
Conference | ACS Fire and Polymers |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Napa |
Period | 5/06/22 → 8/06/22 |
Internet address |