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Analysis of a semi-empirical sprinkler spray model

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Hamed Aghajani

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Abstract

Modelling the atomization process in fire sprinklers has remained a challenge mainly due to the complexity of sprinkler geometry. A review of existing fire sprinkler spray modelling approaches, including film flow and sheet tracking models, showed that they mainly assumed a constant sheet velocity and linear attenuation of the sheet thickness before its disintegration. In the present study, a liquid sheet trajectory sub-model based on the solution of stream-wise conservation equations has been used to predict both sheet thickness and velocity as it radially expands. This will also help to investigate the extent to which a change in the release angle can affect the sheet characteristics. The analysis carried out shows that the proposed approach improves the predictions of mean droplet diameter and initial droplet speed. A semi-empirical approach is further introduced in the study by using experimental volume fraction measurements to characterize sprinkler sprays in the near field. For a given direction predictions have been conducted for droplet volume median diameter, water volume flux and droplet average velocity at different elevation and azimuthal locations. A reasonably good agreement is found for the near field measurements.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Aghajani H, Dembele S, Wen J

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Fire Safety Journal

Year: 2014

Volume: 64

Pages: 1-11

Print publication date: 01/02/2014

Online publication date: 07/02/2014

Acceptance date: 21/01/2014

ISSN (print): 0379-7112

ISSN (electronic): 1873-7226

Publisher: Pergamon Press

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2014.01.004

DOI: 10.1016/j.firesaf.2014.01.004

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