A comprehensive model for simulating the interaction of water with solid surfaces in fire suppression environments

A novel framework for sprinkler-based fire suppression modeling has been developed that includes detailed interaction of water with solid surfaces. This model builds on the fire growth model (FireFOAM) previously developed at FM Global. The fundamental film-transport equations for mass continuity, momentum, and energy have been formulated and implemented in an open-source CFD code (OpenFOAM®) and subsequently coupled with FireFOAM. Water transport, as would occur in a fire suppression environment, is tracked along solid surfaces. Interaction of the water with the solid surfaces in the form of cooling and pre-wetting is represented. Coupling between the film-transport model and the gas-phase and condensed-phase regions has been specified through interfacial transport models. Model validation for vaporization and conjugate heat transfer is shown for a surrogate fire environment. Radiation heat transfer is applied to a vertical panel with water flowing down the surface. Heat fluxes range from 5 to 33 kW/m² and water flow rates range from 2 to 52 g/m/s.