Use of an electric heater as an idealized firebrand to determine ignition delay time of Eucalyptus globulus leaves

Carlos Álvarez, Gabriela Moreno, Francisco Valenzuela, José Ignacio Rivera, Fernando Ebensperger, Pedro Reszka, Andrés Fuentes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Idealized-Firebrand Ignition Test (I-FIT) protocol was used to evaluate the piloted ignition delay times of fuel beds composed of leaves of Eucalyptus globulus (Labill.). The amount of fuel layer used for evaluation ranged between the fraction volume (α) of 0.03 to 0.07 which are values expected to be found in forest bed fuels. A theoretical model was developed to describe the heating and ignition of the fuel beds, based on the thermal ignition theory. The model, which was originally developed for pine needle beds, considers the penetration of radiation to the porous matrix. The model is able to accurately predict the ignition delay time for different values of α, but shows a poorer accuracy for the temperature evolution. This is explained by the large variability observed for the Eucalyptus leaves.

Original languageEnglish
Article number103923
JournalFire Safety Journal
Volume141
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Spotting fires
  • Thermal model
  • Wildfires

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