The role of temperature on carbon monoxide production in compartment fires

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of temperature on carbon monoxide production in compartment fires in order to resolve the difference between global equivalence ratio-yield correlations obtained in simplified upper layer environments and more realistic compartment fires. The chemical reactivity of upper layer gases was studied using a detailed chemical kinetics model. An analysis of the modeling and experimental data in the literature provided insights into the effect of temperature on carbon monoxide production. The effect of changing temperature on compartment fire upper layer composition is twofold: (1) the generation of species in the fire plume is changed; and (2) oxidation of post-flame gases in the layer is affected. Elevated compartment temperatures correlate with increased fire plume temperatures and more complete oxidation of the fuel to CO 2 and H 2O within the plume. The layer temperature dictates post-flame oxidation in the layer. For most situations, upper layer temperatures below 800K indicate chemically unreactive layers. As such, combustion within the fire plume dictates final CO production in the compartment. Reactions in the upper layer dictate final CO levels when upper layer temperatures are about 900K and higher.