A comparative study of the combustion dynamics and flame properties of dead Mediterranean plants
A. Sahila
A , H. Boutchiche A , D. X. Viegas B , L. Reis B and N. Zekri A *
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Faculty of Physics, LEPM (Laboratoire d'Etude Physique des Matériaux), Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d’Oran Mohamed Boudiaf, BP 1505 El Mnaouer, 31000, Oran, Algeria.
B Department of Mechanical Engineering, ADAI (Associação para o Desenvolvimento da Aerodinâmica Industrial), University of Coimbra, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Pólo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal.
* Correspondence to: nouredine.zekri@univ-usto.dz
International Journal of Wildland Fire 32(6) 979-988 https://doi.org/10.1071/WF22130
Submitted: 1 July 2022 Accepted: 9 April 2023 Published: 15 May 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of IAWF. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)
Abstract
Background: The physical processes governing flame behaviour are key elements for a better understanding of forest fires.
Aims: To study the combustion properties of several dead Mediterranean forest fuels.
Method: Samples of straw, eucalyptus, shrubs and Pinus Pinaster with the same load were placed in circular containers of the same size, and ignited in the absence of wind.
Key results: The combustion parameters (burning rate, flame height, temperature and gas velocity) evolved according to the same trend regardless of the fuel type. A new law is proposed to account for the anomalous relaxation processes occurring in the growth and decay phases of the flame. The dynamic exponent depends on the vegetation type only in the growth phase (highest for Pinus Pinaster and lowest for straw). The relaxation times are shortest for shrubs and largest for straw. The maximum flame height and burning rate are largest for shrubs and lowest for straw. Froude modelling suggests that the scaling behaviour of the flame may depend on the fuel type.
Conclusions: The observed relaxation parameters driving fire dynamics and the combustion characteristics depend on the nature of the fuel.
Implications: Further investigation of the vegetation region’s influence on these properties is necessary.
Keywords: air velocity and temperature profiles, anomalous diffusion, anomalous relaxation, flame height, flaming combustion, forest fires, heat release rate, Mediterranean plants, turbulent diffusion flame.
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