Time-dependent model of a buoyant downward flame spread over a thermally thin solid fuel

A time-dependent model was developed and solved numerically to study a purely buoyant downward flame spread over a thermally thin solid fuel in various gravity environments. According to the specified burn-out solid density and no retained ash, the flame propagation behavior over a thin solid fuel surface could be simulated. At ignition, the flame is premixed. After several transition burnouts the flame transitions into a self-sustained steady spread diffusion flame. When the gravity level was varied, the Damkohler number effects were verified. An unstable flame spread was noted near the extinction limit at which the flame spread rate decelerated. Blow-off extinction was predicted after the flame spread a short distance. The ignition delay time increased with increasing gravity level. Compared with the experimental measurements, the predicted blow-off extinction limit was closer than that predicted by the steady combustion model.