A modified thermal radiation model with multiple factors for investigating temperature rise around pool fire.

Hazardous chemical tanks are widely distributed in China, while tank fires occur frequently. Thermal radiation of pool fire plays a critical role in multi-points combustion and accident expansion, resulting in severe thermal damage to the surrounding targets. There are kinds of classical models used to predict the temperature rise of the target, but inaccuracies still exist in the application. In this work, we had conducted a series of pool fire tests in a full-size tunnel and open space for three petroleum products, and observed the temperature variations around the pool fire. A basic thermal radiation model with multiple factors was established first to predict the surrounding temperature rise, but its accuracy was still low. Subsequently, a correction approach of view factor and other aspects was proposed to accord with the experimental data, and the basic prediction model of temperature rise was then modified accordingly. Calculative results of the modified model agreed well with the experimental measuring temperatures, which verified the accuracy and reliability of the modified model. This modified model has a functional applicability to estimate the thermal radiation of pool fire on the surrounding objects.