Effect of Height on the Combustion Rate and Flame of Two Circular Isooctane Pools

The interactions between multiple-pool fires can lead to significantly higher burning rates and flame heights compared to single-pool fires, increasing the likelihood of a domino effect and greater environmental impact. This study investigates the burning characteristics of multiple-pool fires relative to isolated fires, focusing on the interactions between adjacent fires and the effects of height differences. Using isooctane as the fuel, experiments were conducted with pools of varying sizes and heights. The results demonstrated that burning rates and flame heights exhibit nonlinear variations, while flame temperatures exhibit linear changes. Flame merging was most pronounced at a pool height of H = 10 cm. Based on the behavior of elevated pool fires, an energy analysis was performed to assess their burning rate. A model was developed to express the burning rate as a function of pool size, height, and the burning rate and flame height of single-pool fires. The proposed equation was validated against experimental data and literature, demonstrating reasonable reliability and consistency.