Some Burning Characteristics of Filter Paper

Abstract

The downward rate of spread of a free-burning fire in a single piece of filter paper has been studied experimentally. The internal temperature distribution in the paper is calculated from a numerical solution of the two-dimensional heat conduction equation. Net heat flux from the flame can be computed, and a model for the burning zone tested by comparing measured and computed char zone lengths. Correlation is good, suggesting that a simple model of the pyrolysis process is valid.