Experimental and Numerical Study on Suppression of a Turbulent Fire Via Water Mist

Authors

  • Hui-Ying Wang Prime Institute (CNRS-UPR 3346, ENSMA, University of Poitiers) Fluid-Thermal-Combustion Department ENSMA - BP 40109 Téléport 2, 1 Avenue Clément Ader 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France Author
  • Marianne Houndekon Prime Institute (CNRS-UPR 3346, ENSMA, University of Poitiers) Fluid-Thermal-Combustion Department ENSMA - BP 40109 Téléport 2, 1 Avenue Clément Ader 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France Author
  • Bruno Coudour Prime Institute (CNRS-UPR 3346, ENSMA, University of Poitiers) Fluid-Thermal-Combustion Department ENSMA - BP 40109 Téléport 2, 1 Avenue Clément Ader 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France Author
  • Jean Pierre Garo Prime Institute (CNRS-UPR 3346, ENSMA, University of Poitiers) Fluid-Thermal-Combustion Department ENSMA - BP 40109 Téléport 2, 1 Avenue Clément Ader 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JEAST/2026(8)371

Keywords:

Fire Suppression, Water Mist, Liquid Fuel, Burning Rate, Radiation

Abstract

The present work provides a detailed experimental and numerical study on fire suppression phenomena via water mist in a buoyant, turbulent diffusion flame representing the key characteristics of a realistic fire. Detailed temperature and species fields in addition to heat transfer are presented at the base region of a heptane medium-scale pool fire during the addition of a water mist. The finely divided water mist (50μm) can’t be transported to the fire source due to upward buoyancy-induced flow, and its injection has a combustion-supporting effect. The customarily described well defined structure of the flame does not exist any longer by application of water mist. It is observed that the size and shape of the flame vary randomly and continuously due to sudden and short mist vaporization periods. Reduction in flame-to-liquid surface radiation heat feedback via cooling of thermal plume by water mist does not conduct to extinguishing of a fully developed turbulent fire. This behavior suggests that extinguishment is achieved by total clearance of the liquid surface rather than from the reduction in burning rate of liquid fuel. It is important to realize that the measurements are not instantaneous which are affected by
the flame disruption, and only averaged values are provided for comparison with the predicted results.

Author Biographies

  • Hui-Ying Wang, Prime Institute (CNRS-UPR 3346, ENSMA, University of Poitiers) Fluid-Thermal-Combustion Department ENSMA - BP 40109 Téléport 2, 1 Avenue Clément Ader 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France

    Hui-Ying Wang, Prime Institute (CNRS-UPR 3346, ENSMA, University of Poitiers) Fluid-Thermal-Combustion Department ENSMA - BP 40109 Téléport 2, 1 Avenue Clément Ader 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France.

  • Marianne Houndekon, Prime Institute (CNRS-UPR 3346, ENSMA, University of Poitiers) Fluid-Thermal-Combustion Department ENSMA - BP 40109 Téléport 2, 1 Avenue Clément Ader 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France

    Marianne Houndekon, Prime Institute (CNRS-UPR 3346, ENSMA, University of Poitiers) Fluid-Thermal-Combustion Department ENSMA - BP 40109 Téléport 2, 1 Avenue Clément Ader 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France.

  • Bruno Coudour, Prime Institute (CNRS-UPR 3346, ENSMA, University of Poitiers) Fluid-Thermal-Combustion Department ENSMA - BP 40109 Téléport 2, 1 Avenue Clément Ader 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France

    Bruno Coudour, Prime Institute (CNRS-UPR 3346, ENSMA, University of Poitiers) Fluid-Thermal-Combustion Department ENSMA - BP 40109 Téléport 2, 1 Avenue Clément Ader 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France.

  • Jean Pierre Garo, Prime Institute (CNRS-UPR 3346, ENSMA, University of Poitiers) Fluid-Thermal-Combustion Department ENSMA - BP 40109 Téléport 2, 1 Avenue Clément Ader 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France

    Jean Pierre Garo, Prime Institute (CNRS-UPR 3346, ENSMA, University of Poitiers) Fluid-Thermal-Combustion Department ENSMA - BP 40109 Téléport 2, 1 Avenue Clément Ader 86961 Futuroscope Chasseneuil Cedex, France.

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Published

2026-07-20

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 7 (2026): Volume 8 Issue 7

Section

Articles