Temperature profile and visible flame length of blended pool fires at quiescent air conditions

Alcohol-derived biofuels are used as an alternative fuel source instead of petroleum-based fuels. There is a need to understand the fire behavior of these blended alcohol biofuels. Twelve laboratory-scale pool fire experimental tests were conducted at quiescent ambient air on n-propanol, diesel, and mixtures to understand the burning characteristics, like burning rate, flame temperature, and flame height. The burning rate of pure and blended fuels was estimated by two methods and compared. Visual images of fire were analyzed, and it was found that the maximum visible flame height of all fuels is nearly three-times the pool diameter. Centerline flame temperature is highest for n-propanol pool fires compared with diesel and its blends. A dimensionless temperature parameter φ makes a linear relationship with dimensionless vertical height for pure and binary mixtures. These combustion characteristics of blended fuel pool fire help ensure the safety of blended fuel handling, transportation, and storage.