Summary
The different spreading regimes above liquid fuels have been experimentally described for a wide range of initial surface temperatures. Five different spreading regimes are observed. The flame spreading driving parameter has been found. The critical transition temperatures between these regimes have been characterized; they present common characteristics for the four alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol) used in the experiments. A preheating zone ahead of the flame (produced by thermocapillarity) has been observed. The initial surface temperature of the liquid fuel results to be a control parameter of flame spreading; therefore, it can be applied to improve fire safety conditions in fuel containers.
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Degroote, E., García Ybarra, P. Flame propagation over liquid alcohols. J Therm Anal Calorim 80, 541–548 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-005-0735-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-005-0735-1