Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this article is to create a method of mathematical modeling of an energy component of chemical and physical processes that occur in wood when it is heated prior to the flaming phase. This method will make it possible to determine the impact of using flame retardants in the surface layers of wooden building constructions on the processes of wood inflammation.
Methodology: Using experimental data regarding the development in time of chemical and physical processes (derivatograms and data of gas chromatographic analysis of sample material during thermal degradation) that occur during heating of wood prior to its ignition, approximation formulas were obtained. These formulas describe the relationship between the amount of substance emitted in the thermolysis process. Based on the obtained data, we then obtain dependencies between the desired stored energy which is released during the formation of each substance (as a result of heating wood samples) and the temperature, as well as the accumulated total desired energy. Subsequently the required cumulative energy of all components and their transformations is determined, taking into account the absorption and release of energy generated by the temperature. Introduced is the concept of effective heat capacity of the transformation process of a sample piece of wood (within the temperature range of this study) including all the components and their structural transformations that occur during the heating process. Then a one-dimensional problem is solved of heat spread in an isotropic solid, taking into account a variable, effective heat capacity that depends on temperature. Formulas were obtained for the elementary volume, placed directly on the surface of the wood sample, as well as inside it and in the back.
Results: Using the presented methodology we obtain a mathematical model of an energy component of chemical and physical processes that take place in a sample of pine wood (10 mm thick, density 400-550 kg/m3), when it is heated prior to the flaming phase.
Conclusions: The presented method presents the ability to predict the required amount of flame retardants (for a variety of fire-retardant impregnating compositions) to be entered into the outer layers of wood (different species, thickness, density, quality of surface treatment, etc.) to ensure the extension of the time period from the heat exposure point until the ignition point.
Keywords: wood protected against inflammation, flaming phase, flame retardants, mathematical modeling, chemical and physical processes
Type of article: original scientific article