NASA NTRS · 19860031067
Buoyancy effects on smoldering combustion
Abstract
The effect of buoyancy on the rate of spread of a concurrent smolder reaction through a porous combustible material is investigated theoretically and experimentally. In the experiments, buoyant forces are controlled by varying the density difference, and the smolder rate spread through porous alpha cellulose (0.83 void fraction) is measured as a function of the ambient air pressure. The smolder velocity is found to increase with the ambient pressure; extinction occurs when the buoyancy forces cannot overcome the drag forces, indicating that diffusion by itself cannot support the spread of a smolder reaction. Theoretical predictions are found to be in good qualitative agreement with the experimental results.
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Dosanjh, S., Peterson, J., Fernandez-Pello, A. C., Pagni, P. J.. 1985-10-01. Buoyancy effects on smoldering combustion. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19860031067
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