Backdraft Phenomena. Final Report. 1990-1992.

by National Institute of Standards and Technology

The purpose of this project was to develop a fundamental physical understanding of backdraft phenomena. The research was divided into three exploratory simulations, gravity current modeling, and quantitative backdraft experiments. The primary goal of the first phase was to safely simulate a backdraft in the laboratory. A half-residential-scale compartment was built to conduct exploratory experiments. In the second phase, the gravity current speed and the extent of its mixed region was investigated in a series of scaled salt water experiments. In the final phase, 28 backdraft experiments were conducted in a 1.2m by 1.2m by 2.4m compartment. Histories recorded fuel flow rates, upper layer temperatures, lower layer temperatures, opening velocities, compartment pressures, upper layer species concentrations for O2, CO2, CO, and HC. Results

246 pages, Paperback

First published January 19, 2014