The action was divided into the four following work packages as described in the DoA :
• WP1: Development & validation of efficient radiation models,
• WP2: Implementation into fire CFD code
• WP3: Training the Experienced Researcher
• WP4: Dissemination and Communication
1. Work done in WP1 & WP2 (modelling studies)
The modelling part of the work has consisted in developing (1) a two-step radiation modelling approach based on P1 method and (2) implementation of a Box gas radiation model.
For fire studies, a model was developed during RAD-FIRE by the ER based on a two-step method to simplify time-consuming spectral radiative transfer calculations in fires. Firstly the P1 approximation is used to calculate the divergence of radiative flux, and the research in RAD-FIRE found that this approach is sufficient to determine the flame parameters. Secondly a ray-tracing procedure is used to obtain the radiation field outside the flame. The real pool fires test cases investigated in RAD-FIRE demonstrate that the two-step method based on P1 and box model is sufficiently accurate for fire applications. This is one of the main contributions of the project. At the same time, typically the computational time decreases in more than two orders of magnitude compared with advanced methods used in many CFD codes. This will lead to a much faster radiation calculations in CFD codes.
The second stage of the modelling task consisted in implementing a gas radiation model that is sufficiently accurate but more computationally efficiency. The real spectrum of thermal radiation was divided into few bands. The box model is based on two key parameters: the averaged band width and absorption coefficients. The preliminary benchmark test cases in RAD-FIRE have shown that the box model provides a good compromise accuracy and computing times for fire simulations.
For fire simulations, the open source LES (large eddy simulation) CFD code FireFoam was used in RAD-FIRE. The radiation models were coupled with FireFoam for real case fire simulations. The results demonstrate that the radiation approach based on P1 and box gas radiation model, is a good way forward in fire simulations, this is another key contribution of the study.
2. Work done in WP3: Training the Experienced Researcher (ER)
The Experience Researcher (ER), Dr Dombrovsky is experienced in radiation heat transfer but not in fire safety. During RAD-FIRE, three academics (Dr Dembele, Dr Volkov and Prof Wen) have held meetings with the ER to discuss turbulence modelling strategies in fires, combustion modelling, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and the use of the fire computer code FireFoam. PhD students at Kingston University were also involved in two-way transfer of knowledge with the ER. Dr Dombrovsky has attended the International Water Mist Conference to interact with scientists and industry involved in water mist research in fire protection.
3. Work done in WP4: Dissemination and Communication
At the beginning of the project, a RAD-FIRE Website was created to to communicate with the outside world on the project. The project results were disseminated mainly in four open accessible publications: two conferences and two journal publications. Also the ER and Lead supervisor attended the International Water Mist Conference in London (19-20 September 2018) where Dr Dembele has highlighted and communicated the main findings of RAD-FIRE.
During RAD-FIRE four research seminars and workshops were held on 7th February 2018, 11th May 2018, 12th September 2018 and 20th February, to share the ER’s heat transfer experience and disseminate and communicate on the results of the project. The seminars were well attended by the academic community and has led to some useful potential collaboration between the ER and some other academics. As part of the outreach beyond the academic community, Dr Dembele has spoken to some primary school children about fires on 10 July 2018 in London. Also during the Grenfell Tower fire disaster in London, Dr Dembele has spoken to ITN News TV channel journalist Russell Patrick, about fire safety.
