Effect of Compartment Height with Fire Source on Horizontal Vent Flow and Temperature Distribution

Abstract

The effect of compartment height with a fire source on the horizontal vent flow and temperature distribution was numerically investigated. Two compartment heights were examined, namely 1.1 m (H1.1) and 5.5 m (H5.5). Horizontal vent areas were set at 1% (HV01) and 10% (HV10) of the floor area, and fire sources were positioned at the center (FSC) and side (FSS). H1.1 exhibited a larger mass flow rate and higher velocity of vent flow than H5.5 for FSC cases with HV01 and HV10. In the case of HV01 with FSS, the mass flow rates between H1.1 and H5.5 were comparable. However, in the case o f HV10 w ith F SS, H5.5 d emonstrated a larger m ass flow r ate than H 1.1. V ent flow v elocities a ppeared similar between H1.1 and H5.5 for FSS cases with both HV01 and HV10. Meanwhile, H1.1 exhibited a higher temperature distribution than H5.5 for HV01 cases with FSC and FSS. For HV10 with FSC, H5.5 showed a higher temperature distribution than H1.1. Conversely, for HV10 with FSS, the opposite trend was observed. The previous correlation overestimated the results of the present numerical simulation regarding the fire plume centerline temperature rise. It was speculated that mixing within the compartment affected the trend of fire plume centerline temperature rise.