In the following:
Abstract
We use a critical mass flux model, to evaluate the flammability
properties of thermally thin polymeric materials in radiative
ignition experiments (such as the cone calorimeter).
We also investigate the retardancy effect of
inert, `glassy' and 'foamy' additives on the
flammability properties of the polymer.
N. Waterhouseu, H.S. Sidhu, and M.I. Nelson. Polymer Combustion: The Critical Mass Flux Model. In M. Pemberton, I. Turner, and P. Jacobs, editors, EMAC 2002 Proceedings, pages 231--236. The Institution of Engineers, Australia, 2002. ISSN 1447-378X.
Abstract
At MISG 2002, winemaker Beringer-Blass asked for several for a
model of the open vat fermentation process used for making red wine. The
quality and the character of the red wines rely partly on
polyphenolic compounds that are contained within the grape skins
and which are extracted during the fermentation process,
contributing to the final colour flavour and texture.
This is one example of a possible new and fruitful area for the
application of classical applied mathematics. In this paper we
will briefly outline the entire production process and identify where
mathematical modelling has already been used and where it is still to
be applied. The fermentation process and the extraction of polyphenolic
compounds will be discussed in more detail to illustrate the
utility of such modelling.
R.O. Weber, M.I. Nelson and S. Guy. Modelling wine production. In M. Pemberton, I. Turner, and P. Jacobs, editors, EMAC 2002 Proceedings, pages 237--240. The Institution of Engineers, Australia, 2002. ISSN 1447-378X.
Abstract
We investigate the steady-state multiplicity exhibited by
the reaction of a fuel/air mixture in a continuously stirred tank
reactor. The chemical mechanism used is a modification of a scheme due
to Sal'nikov. We consider four cases;
corresponding to the choice of
fuel fraction, inflow temperature, inflow pressure, or precursor decay
rate as the primary bifurcation parameter. From the perspective of
fire-retardancy, the case when the fuel fraction is varied
is the most important. In this case the steady-state diagrams
provide a basis for a systematic investigation into the effectiveness of
gas-phase active fire retardants.
M.I. Nelson and H.S. Sidhu. Bifurcation phenomena for an oxidation reaction in a continuously stirred tank reactor. I Adiabatic operation. Journal of Mathematical Chemistry, 31(2): 155-186, February 2002.
Abstract
The retardancy effect of char formation upon the flammability
of thermally thin products is investigated. The char is formed in
a single-step non-competitive scheme and is assumed to be thermally
stable. The criterion for ignition is that of a critical mass
flux of volatiles from the solid into the gas phase.
Both steady-state and transient formulations of the model are considered.
In the high activation energy limit the critical heat flux
efficiency in the steady-state model is proportional to
c/(1-c), where c is the fraction of char formed. In the
transient model the
efficiency in reducing the maximum heat release rate, average heat release
rate, and total heat released is given by
c and is independent of activation energy and heat flux.
The specific application that we have in mind for our model is
piloted ignition in the cone calorimeter.
M.I. Nelson, J. Brindley and A.C. McIntosh. Ignition properties of thermally thin plastics: The effectiveness of non-competitive char formation in reducing flammability. Journal of Applied Mathematics and Decision Sciences, 6(3): 155-181, 2002.