A model for the prediction of the thermal degradation and ignition of wood under constant and variable heat flux

The ignition of combustible materials is an important aspect of the processes taking place in an unwanted fire. In this work, an experimental and theoretical study of the ignition process of wood has been carried out. Experiments of both spontaneous and piloted ignition have been performed. Constant and decreasing variable heat fluxes have been tested. A mathematical model has been used to predict the time to ignition of wood for the different operating conditions used. The solution of the model provides the temperature at each point of the solid, the local solid conversion and the time to ignition of the material. In general, a good agreement between experimental and theoretical results is obtained. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.