On modelling combustion, radiation and soot processes in compartment fires

A Reynolds-Averaging-Navier-Stokes Computational-Fluid-Dynamics-based fire model is developed to solve a turbulent buoyant fire in a single-, two- and multi-compartment structure. The model is evaluated as part of a complete prediction procedure involving the modelling of the simultaneously occurring flow, convection, combustion, soot generation and burnout and radiation phenomena. Computational results are compared against available experimental data. Proper handling of the fire chemistry through combustion models such as eddy break-up and laminar flamelet is important to modelling compartment fires. Thermal radiation plays a significant role too. Soot radiation has shown to significantly improve the accuracy of the model predictions.