Mixed Layer Model for Pyrolysis of Bubbling Thermoplastic Materials (NISTIR 6242)

Published

October 1, 1998

Author(s)

Kathryn M. Butler

Abstract

For many thermoplastic materials exposed to a strong heat flux from above, a layer of bubbles forms in the melted region near the upper surface. The action of these bubbles is observed to range from slow growth and bursting to vigorous boiling behavior. Although the bubbles appear to have a significant effect on the macroscopic thermal and mechanical properties of the material, the mechanisms by which a bubbling layer affects heat and mass transfer are not well understood. Since the thermal conductivity of a gas is much lower than the thermal conductivity of a liquid, we might expect the transport of heat to be slowed considerably in the presence of bubbles. Alternatively, vigorous boiling behavior could be mixing the upper layer of melted thermoplastic material, resulting in a nearly uniform temperature throughout the bubling layer. How would these seemingly contradictory mechanisms affect heat and mass transfer, and which dominates behavior during pryolysis?

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 6242

Report Number

6242

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.6242

Keywords

fire research, fire science, fire suppression, thermoplastics, pyrolysis, heat flux, bubbles

Citation

Butler, K. (1998), Mixed Layer Model for Pyrolysis of Bubbling Thermoplastic Materials (NISTIR 6242), NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.6242 (Accessed July 2, 2024)