Multiple-Scattering-Based Optical Simulation for Analyzing Response Characteristics of Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

Abstract

Fire and nonfire experiments are required to observe the response characteristics of photoelectric smoke detectors; however, repeating all experiments by changing the structure and configuration of photoelectric smoke detectors is time-consuming and expensive. No simulations have been performed to evaluate the response characteristics of photoelectric smoke detectors. In this study, multiple-scattering-based optical simulations were performed to investigate the response characteristics of a photoelectric smoke detector. The radiant energy of light propagating in various media (white smoke, black smoke, water vapor, and dust) with different particle sizes and refractive indices was measured using a photodetector as a function of concentration. Multiple-scattering-based optical simulations that can analyze the response characteristics of photoelectric smoke detectors without fire or nonfire experiments are expected to be actively used for developing new smoke detectors. In addition, the results for the nonspherical soot particles can be analyzed via multiple-scattering-based optical simulations using the discrete dipole approximation method.