"A three-layer macro-scale model for simulating the combustion of PPUF " by Philip McKeen and Zaiyi Liao

Building Simulation: An International Journal

Article Title

A three-layer macro-scale model for simulating the combustion of PPUF in CFD

Authors

Philip McKeen, Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada
Zaiyi Liao, Department of Architectural Science, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3, Canada

Keywords

polyurethane, polyol, fire, FDS

Abstract

Polyether polyurethane foam (PPUF) has been analyzed at various scales to determine its thermal decomposition characteristics. Analysis of its decomposition behavior was gathered through experiments of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and calorimetry. Material properties were extracted from micro-scale experiments. Observations of the macro-scale burning reveal the complexity of its behavior. Notable difficulties exist within the current CFD framework to accurately replicate such behavior. However the simplified description of traits of melting, change of density and liquid flows can allow for relatively accurate fire modeling. The purpose of this paper is to improve the ability of the polyurethane fire model in numerical simulations.