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Attenuation of Swirling Motion of a Fire Whirl in a Vertical Shaft

  • H. Y. Hung
  • , Z. M. Gao
  • , S. S. Li
  • , Y. Gao
  • , W. K. Chow*
  • , C. L. Chow
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

Abstract

Experiments on fire whirls generated by a gasoline pool fire in a vertical shaft were carried out. Vortex motions of swirling flame induced by buoyancy above the pool fires were observed to be more vigorous with increase in height. Upward flame motions were resulted due to increase in buoyancy. The phenomenon was described mathematically by solving the vorticity transport equation with reasonable assumptions and appropriate boundary conditions. Analysis gave swirling attenuation along the vertical direction. By measuring heat release rates and fire whirl diameters at different heights, vertical variation of circular speeds of fire whirls was derived.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)149–182
JournalFire Technology
Volume58
Issue number1
Online published5 Jun 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022

Research Keywords

  • Baroclinic force
  • Buoyancy
  • Fire whirl
  • Rotating angular velocity
  • Vertical attenuation

RGC Funding Information

  • RGC-funded

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