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Experimental and Computational Multiphase Flow 2023, 5(2): 199-211 https://doi.org/10.1007/s42757-021-0122-3
Research Article | Issue | Published: 14 December 2021

A multiphase approach for pyrolysis modelling of polymeric materials

Show Author's Information Timothy Bo Yuan Chen1,  Luzhe Liu1,  Anthony Chun Yin Yuen1( ),  Qian Chen1,  Guan Heng Yeoh1,2
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Kirrawee DC, NSW 2232, Australia
Keywords:
pyrolysis, large eddy simulation (LES), char formation, detailed chemistry
Cite this article:
Chen TBY, Liu L, Yuen ACY, et al. A multiphase approach for pyrolysis modelling of polymeric materials. Experimental and Computational Multiphase Flow, 2023, 5(2): 199-211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42757-021-0122-3
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Abstract Full text About this article

In this study, a multiphase pyrolysis model has been proposed under the large eddy simulation (LES) framework incorporating moving boundary surface tracking, char formation, and detailed chemical kinetics combustion modelling. The proposed numerical model was applied to simulate the cone calorimeter test of two kinds of materials: (i) pinewood (charring) and (ii) low-density polyethylene (non-charring). Using a cone calorimeter setup, good agreement has been achieved between the computational and the experimental results. The model is capable of predicting the formation of the char layer and thus replicating the flame suppressing thermal and barrier effects. Furthermore, with the application of detailed chemical kinetics, the fire model was able to aptly predict the generation of asphyxiant gas such as CO/CO2 during the burning process. However, the pinewood experiments showed significant CO/CO2 emissions post flame extinguishment attributed to char oxidation effects, which were not considered by the fire model. Despite the limitation, the fully coupled LES model proposed in this study was capable of predicting the fluid mechanics and heat transfer for the turbulent reacting flow, solid-phase decomposition, and gaseous products under flaming conditions. In the future, it can be further extended to include char oxidation mechanisms to improve predictions for charring materials.


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About this article

A multiphase approach for pyrolysis modelling of polymeric materials

Show Author's information Timothy Bo Yuan Chen1, Luzhe Liu1, Anthony Chun Yin Yuen1( ), Qian Chen1, Guan Heng Yeoh1,2
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Kirrawee DC, NSW 2232, Australia

Abstract

In this study, a multiphase pyrolysis model has been proposed under the large eddy simulation (LES) framework incorporating moving boundary surface tracking, char formation, and detailed chemical kinetics combustion modelling. The proposed numerical model was applied to simulate the cone calorimeter test of two kinds of materials: (i) pinewood (charring) and (ii) low-density polyethylene (non-charring). Using a cone calorimeter setup, good agreement has been achieved between the computational and the experimental results. The model is capable of predicting the formation of the char layer and thus replicating the flame suppressing thermal and barrier effects. Furthermore, with the application of detailed chemical kinetics, the fire model was able to aptly predict the generation of asphyxiant gas such as CO/CO2 during the burning process. However, the pinewood experiments showed significant CO/CO2 emissions post flame extinguishment attributed to char oxidation effects, which were not considered by the fire model. Despite the limitation, the fully coupled LES model proposed in this study was capable of predicting the fluid mechanics and heat transfer for the turbulent reacting flow, solid-phase decomposition, and gaseous products under flaming conditions. In the future, it can be further extended to include char oxidation mechanisms to improve predictions for charring materials.

Keywords: pyrolysis, large eddy simulation (LES), char formation, detailed chemistry

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Publication history
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Acknowledgements

Publication history

Received: 16 April 2021
Revised: 03 August 2021
Accepted: 10 August 2021
Published: 14 December 2021
Issue date: June 2023

Copyright

© Tsinghua University Press 2021

Acknowledgements

The study is sponsored by the Australian Research Council (ARC Industrial Training Transformation Centre IC1701 00032) and the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship. All financial and technical supports are greatly appreciated.

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