Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

The methods used for finding the emissivity and temperature of a luminous flame were reviewed. The radiative properties of town gas flames burning in the open from a 30 x 30 cm porous burner were found using the Schmidt and Kurlbaum methods. The absorption coefficient of the flame was .005 cm^-1 and its temperature was 1454°K. Large errors were found in thermo- couple readings of flame temperature due to losses by radiation to the cold surroundings. The construotion of a partial wall around the burner reduced the temperature and absorption coefficient of the flame. An asbestos crib placed above the burner increased the flame temperature and absorption coefficient. There were changes in the shape of the flame in both cases.