Computational study of opposed-force-flow flame spread across propanol pools

Two-dimensional flame-spread across sub-flash-point propanol pools in opposed-forced airflow is investigated numerically for normal and zero gravities with finite-rate, one-step chemical kinetics, variable properties, and an adaptive finite-difference gridding scheme. Effects of air speed, liquid depth, and gravity on the characteristics of the flame-spread are examined with correct initial profiles for the gas-phase velocity and the mass-fraction of fuel vapor before ignition. Some of the results are as follows: (1) 10-mm pools are deep enough to examine flame-spread rates on deep pools in the uniform regime and pulsation frequencies on deep pools in the pulsating regime; (2) the pseudo-uniform regime is found only in deep pools and not in shallow pools; (3) the effect of opposed-forced airflow on the flame-spread rate is different, depending on the regime for T0, where T0 denotes the initial pool temperature. Effects of pool depth on the liquid phase are also investigated: there is only a surfacetension-driven flow in the liquid phase of shallow pools. Finally, the flame-spread regime is displayed as a function of initial pool temperature, air speed, pool depth, and gravity.