Other Research Web-Applications
Java Applet for Opposed-Flow Flame Spread Over Solid Fuels in 
Fully Developed Channel
Tan Cao and Subrata (Sooby) Bhattacharjee
Description:
This Applet calculates the Flame Spread Rate for Horizontal Flame Spread over Solid Fuels in an Opposing Forced Gas Flow in Fully Developed Channel using the Modified Extended Simplified Theory (MEST) developed at San Diego State University as presented below:

This model requires as inputs: Physical parameters (V_g, p_amb, yo2_amb, H, tau etc.), ambient properties of the oxidizer (mixture of Oxygen and Nitrogen), properties of solid fuels ( PMMA and Cellulose properties are default), and model configuration parameters (see below).

Calculations produce: 
ReH_amb, Reynolds number based on H at ambient temperature and pressure.
V_eqv, equivalent gas velocity experienced by the flame (see MEST).
V_f, flame spread rate.
tau_cr, half thickness at which the fuel behavior transitions  from thin to the thick regime or vice versa.
T and eta, dimensionless spread rate and thickness. 
 
User Instructions:
Click the "Initialize" button to retrieve the default properties and modify them to match the conditions of interest.
Click the "Calculate" button when ready to solve for unknown values. 
Spread Rate Calculator for Fully Developed Forced Opposed Flow in a Channel (Thermal Regime)
Examples:
Example #1: How do you find the flame spread rate over a horizontal PMMA having a half thickness of 0.02 m, in an opposing forced gas flow having a velocity of 0.1m/s, an oxygen percentage of 70%, a pressure equal to 1 standard atmosphere, at ambient temperature of 298 F with MEST, EST, and deRis  Thick Fuel Formulas? (All other properties have default values).
Note: Thick Fuel Formulas are applied when tau > tau_cr. 

Launch the Java Applet by clicking on the link above.
Modify the percentage of Oxygen, y_O2 to indicate 70% and the gas velocity, V_g to show 0.1m/s.
Modify the values of the coefficients from C1 to C6 and the value of T_vap using appropriate data given in Table 1 for each type of formula.
Click the "Calculate" button. The flame spread rate, V_f, from MEST is  0.9184 mm/s, from EST is 0.6955mm/s, ,from deRis is 0.8696mm/s

Example #2: How do you find the flame spread rate for 1 mm thick cellulose in gas having 21% Oxygen and at standard atmosphere with EST and deRis Thin Fuel Formulas? (All other properties have default values).
Note: Thin Fuel Formulas are applied when tau < tau_cr.
Launch the Java Applet by clicking on the link above.
Select Cellulose from the fuel menu.
Change the half thickness, tau to 0.5 mm/s..
Modify the values of the coefficients from a1 to a5 using appropriate data given in Table 2 for each type of formula.
Click the "Calculate" button. The flame spread rate, V_f, from EST is 1.257 mm/s, from deRis is 0.790 mm/s.          . 
Modified Extended Simplified Theory, MEST, Formula for Spread Rate:


 
MEST (Bhattacharjee & Cao)   EST (Bhattacharjee & West) de-Ris/Delichatsios
                      C1              0.6555                  0.573                    0.573
                      C2              2.207                  2.000                    2.000
                      C3              0.3325                  0.250                    0.250
                      C4              .878                  0.500                    0.500
                      C5              0.555                  0.500                    0.500
                      C6              0.089                  0.089                    0.000
                    T_vap              6730F                  6180F                    6180F
Table : Coefficient  and T_vap Values in MEST and EST Flame Spread Rate Formula for Thick Fuels.
                       a1                                1.324                                     0.000
                       a2                                0.684                                     0.000
                       a3                                1.365                                     any
                       a4                                7.463                                     any
                       a5                                0.500                                     0.500
Table : Coefficient Values in EST and deRis Flame Spread Rate Formula for Thin Fuels.
Comparison of the simplified model prediction with experimental results:
Related Paper:"Determination of Spread Rate for Downward Flame Spread over Thick Fuels"