| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/J43240/01 |
| Title: |
EVALUATION OF FIRE RETARDANTS FOR POLYMER COMBUSTION |
| Principal Investigator: |
McIntosh, Professor AC |
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| Department: |
Fuel and Energy |
| Organisation: |
University of Leeds |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 April 1994 |
Ends: |
31 March 1997 |
Value (£): |
95,767
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The project seeks to model the processes involved in the ignition and burning of polymers, to use the knowledge gained to evaluate the effects of retardant additives and to establish criteria for the design and optimal effectiveness of standard fire tests for polymers. A family of theoretical models will be constructed, with the aim of representing the essential physics and chemistry of the ignition and combustion processes in a manner capable of critical comparison with experiment. Starting from simple models of each of the solid-phase and gas-phase reactions, we shall proceed to a fully interactive model, able to describe the vital feedback process for self sustaining combustion in which the exothermic gas-phase reaction, fed by gas from the melting polymer, radiates heat which energises the solidphase reaction whose by-product is that same reactive gas. A key requirement will be the ability to identify the precise mechanics by which additive retardants work, and the ability to compare their relative effectiveness. The ultimate objective is validated model describing both the gas-phase and solid-phase reactions. Qualitative results obtained by analytical methods especially bifurcation theory, will inform and be complemented by substantial numerical calculations to provide quantitative information of direct value to manufacturers of both polymers and additives.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.leeds.ac.uk |