Algorithm For The Mass-loss Rate Of A Burning Wall

A derivation is given for a simple algorithm which yields the quasisteady burning rate of a vertical panel of non-charring, non-melting material in an enclosure with stratification of temperature and oxygen concentration.The algorithm requires the solution of a transcendental equation.Among the thermophysical data which are needed, are the mean flame temperature and the height-dependent absorption coefficient, ~(z).It is found from experiment that ~(z) is well described for PMMA by a twoparameter expression linear in liz.Comparison with a transient experiment yields good agreement for the mass-loss rate, over much of the range.