Polymeric Materials in Under-ventilated and Vitiated Environments - An investigation into control variable sensitivity for the controlled atmosphere cone calorimeter

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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.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 4 Jun 2022
EventACS Fire and Polymers - Napa Valley, Napa, United States
Duration: 5 Jun 20228 Jun 2022
https://www.polyacs.net/22fipoaccommodations

Conference

ConferenceACS Fire and Polymers
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNapa
Period5/06/228/06/22
Internet address

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