Numerical Modelling of Combustion Instabilities Induced by a Liquid Pool Fire in a Well-confined and Mechanically Ventilated Compartment

Researchers:

• Mingcian Hong
• Tarek Beji (supervisor)
• Bart Merci (supervisor)

Description:

Pressure build-up in the event of a compartment fire can cause a loss of confinement. In case of a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) facility, this can be problematic because of the potential release of radioactive material. Within this context, the research work is aimed at understanding a particular and very challenging fire scenario where combustion instabilities and an oscillatory burning behavior can occur as a result of a strong coupling / interplay between the fire and the mechanical ventilation network. Sequences of under-ventilated and well-ventilated conditions can establish, as the fire dynamics strongly depend on, and affect, the ventilation volume flow rates and thereby the fuel burning rates in these scenarios. This study utilizes Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and focuses on modelling the combustion instabilities induced by a liquid pool fire in a well-confined and mechanically ventilated compartment. Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) is chosen to be the framework of study. The research project will develop numerical models and assess the current capabilities of FDS for the scenario of interest.

Funding: