Burning process characterization of biodiesel pool fires

Abstract

This article deals with the combustion process of biodiesel produced from waste vegetable oil. The main fire-technical properties related to its thermal degradation during pool fire were observed. As a test device, a cone calorimeter with modified specimen holder was used. The measurements were obtained by applying an external heat flux of 20 and 25 kW m−2 and using a spark initiator. On the basis of the measured results, the biodiesel combustion was divided into six consecutive phases described by the heat release rate, CO production, CO2 production and smoke production rate. Mean heat release rate and maximum average heat release energy peaked at 315 kW m−2, respectively at 391 kW m−2 (external heat flux of 20 kW m−2) and at 420 kW m−2, respectively at 504 kW m−2 (external heat flux of 25 kW m−2). The flash point of biodiesel reached a lower value compared to oils. The CO/CO2 ratio in the flue gas showed virtually the same combustion efficiency throughout the whole experiment.