Abstract: A rising number of fire incidences in indoor as well as outdoors bulk storage facilities of biomass-based biofuel have been observed. Ignition can either be initiated at the surface of the bulk material or from the inside of the bulk material. Studies show that external ignition of biofuels is usually caused by adjacent objects and equipment whereas autoignition of biofuels starting from inside the stored material is caused by exothermic biological degradation reactions of organic compounds. Control of external ignition is straight forward, although resource demanding. However, autoignition of stored biofuels often result in a smouldering fire which is a complex mechanism that can continue inside the stacks of stored biofuel. These smouldering fires can last for several hours or sometimes days before detection and are difficult to extinguish. Common methods of detection of fires based on radiation and temperature signature are not suitable for the detection of smouldering fire. Measurement of typical gases indicating fire as CO and CO2 cannot be used. These are constantly produced during biological degradation of organic compounds and hence do not result in a significant indication of a smouldering fire. Interestingly, the aerosol signature of smouldering fire has not been explored to its fullest for an early detection. Levoglucosan is an anhydrous sugar and considered as a tracer compound in atmospheric aerosols representing biomass burning. In this study, for the first time levoglucosan was studied as aerosol signature of smouldering fire for an early detection. Smouldering fire was generated inside 600 gram cotton stacks in a controlled laboratory environment. The whole process, smouldering fire to flames (8 hours), was studied with data loggers for temperatures and mass loss values. Levoglucosan as aerosols signature was sampled and analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry as described by Martinsson et al. The study provided interesting information on temperature fluctuation and mass loss during the whole process. Interestingly, the aerosol signature of smouldering fire provided an early detection of smouldering fire before visually observing fire gases or carbonized cotton. Early detection of smouldering fire by aerosol signature demonstrated in this study has not only provided deeper information about the mechanism of smouldering fire in biofuels but also a direct application tool for early detection.

Levoglucosan as a tracer for early detection of smouldering fire

255th National Meeting (2018)

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