WP2.1 - Characterization of forest fuel pyrolysis, ignition and combustion
From the fuel perspective, the processes controlling ignition and flame spread are the degradation chemistry and the different heat and mass transport processes. The degradation chemistry is usually established via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) type measurements (AUTH) using sub-millimetre samples. In contrast, the transport processes require a realistic representation of the fuel matrix and the definition of a variable atmosphere (to study mass transport), variable heating rates (heat transport) and the detailed measurement of temperatures and species. The compendium of these observations can then be compared to the TGA measurements to assess, via modelling, the different controlling mechanisms given the heating and flow regimes. No current test method provides all these variables. Most likely, the development of an apparatus that provides all this information will make it too complex for practical use. Furthermore, it is likely that given the regime, there will be a controlling mechanism, thus no need to define all variables.
The goal of this work package is to modify existing standard tests (for which the Fire Paradox partners have extensive experience in using) and adapt them to be used with the relevant fuels. Each standard test will serve to study different variables and will represent a different level of complexity. University of Edinburgh hardware will focus on heat and mass transport with the most complex test. INIA-CIFOR will use the simplest configuration complemented with extensive temperature and species measurements (UC3M) and VTT will provide the bridge between both groups focusing on heat release rates and species measurements using a standard cone calorimeter.