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A numerical model for the determination of biomass ignition from a hotspot

dc.contributor.authorMcArdle, Patrick, author
dc.contributor.authorWilliams, John, advisor
dc.contributor.authorGao, Xinfeng, committee member
dc.contributor.authorShipman, Patrick, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2016-01-11T15:13:46Z
dc.date.available2016-01-11T15:13:46Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractThe determination of biomass ignition from an inert spherical hotspot using a fourth-order finite-volume method is presented. The transient ignition-combustion system is modeled by two coupled reaction-diffusion equations. One equation governs the heating characteristics of the biomass while the other governs the mass loss of the biomass. The combustion assumes a one-step, 1st-order Arrhenius reaction. This work is motivated and funded by the Department of Defense Legacy Program to create a munition specific fire danger rating system. Improving fire danger rating systems on military lands would minimize the economic and environmental impact of soldiers training on protected habitats. A better understanding of these ignition characteristics would also improve current fire spread models. Our result shows that given the ignition criteria derived from a simplified non-dimensional model and specifying critical values found by Gol'dshleger et al., an ignition probability can be established by varying the biomass properties based on moisture content. Following the procedure developed in this thesis, the computed ignition probabilities correlate well with experimental ignition data that was obtained at the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands. Moreover, numerically solving the coupled reaction-diffusion system provides additional insight into more realistic ignition criteria involving mass loss. The numerical solution suggests more sources of heat loss, in addition to convection, must be considered for a more realistic ignition model.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierMcArdle_colostate_0053N_13307.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/170336
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectbiomass combustion
dc.subjectfinite-volume method
dc.subjecthotspot ignition
dc.subjectreaction-diffusion
dc.titleA numerical model for the determination of biomass ignition from a hotspot
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineMechanical Engineering
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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