Characteristics of the Biodiesel Palm Oil Methyl Ester Pool Fire

The characteristics of biodiesel pool fires with palm oil methyl ester concentrations of 7% by volume in various pan diameter sizes (0.05 m, 0.10 m and 0.15 m) were studied. Initially, biodiesel was heated on a hot plate to increase the temperature close to the flash point temperature. Later fuel was ignited and stable pool fire formed. Flame temperature along the centerline pool fire from flame base to flame tip were measured. Flame temperature shows that the temperature at flame base is higher than that the flames tip. This is due to the complete burning occurs near flame base and at flame tip incomplete burning exists. Incomplete burning produces yellow flame appearance. Moreover, the mass burn rate varies linearly with pan size. Small diameter pan produces low mass burn rate compared to the large diameter pan. Low and high mass burn rate contributes to the flame height. Flame with higher mass burn rate is longer than that the low mass burn rate. Thus, the characteristic of the biodiesel palm oil methyl ester is successfully studied in the present study.