Early detection of deep-seated smouldering fires in wood waste storage using ERT

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Title: Early detection of deep-seated smouldering fires in wood waste storage using ERT
Authors: Asim Ibrahim, Muhammad, Afzal Butt, Nabeel, Rejkjær, Simon, Dahlin, Torleif, Madsen, Dan, Wilkens Flecknoe-Brown, Konard, Günther, Thomas
Contributors: Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, Departments at LTH, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Division of Engineering Geology, Lunds universitet, Lunds Tekniska Högskola, Institutioner vid LTH, Institutionen för biomedicinsk teknik, Avdelningen för teknisk geologi, Originator, Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, LTH Profile areas, LTH Profile Area: Water, Lunds universitet, Lunds Tekniska Högskola, LTH profilområden, LTH profilområde: Vatten, Originator, Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, LTH Profile areas, LTH Profile Area: The Energy Transition, Lunds universitet, Lunds Tekniska Högskola, LTH profilområden, LTH profilområde: Energiomställningen, Originator, Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, Departments at LTH, Department of Building and Environmental Technology, Division of Fire Safety Engineering, Lunds universitet, Lunds Tekniska Högskola, Institutioner vid LTH, Institutionen för bygg- och miljöteknologi, Avdelningen för Brandteknik, Originator, Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, LTH Profile areas, LTH Profile Area: Aerosols, Lunds universitet, Lunds Tekniska Högskola, LTH profilområden, LTH profilområde: Aerosoler, Originator, Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, LTH Profile areas, LTH Profile Area: Circular Building Sector, Lunds universitet, Lunds Tekniska Högskola, LTH profilområden, LTH profilområde: Cirkulär byggindustri, Originator
Source: Waste Management. 182:215-224
Subject Terms: Engineering and Technology, Civil Engineering, Other Civil Engineering, Teknik, Samhällsbyggnadsteknik, Annan samhällsbyggnadsteknik
Description: Incidents of waste and biofuel fires are common at all stages of the waste recycling chain and have grave implications for business, employees, firefighters, society, and environment. An early detection of waste and biofuel fires in the smouldering stage could save precious lives, resources, and our environment. Existing fire detection methodologies e.g. handheld temperature sensors, IR cameras, gas sensors, and video and satellite-based monitoring techniques have inherent limitations to efficiently detect smouldering fires. An attempt was made to explore the potential of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as an alternate tool to address the problem. In the experiments an externally powered resistive wire was employed to initiate the smouldering fire inside the test material (wood pellets, wood shavings, wood fines). Time series of ERT that followed the initiation and development of smouldering were recorded using an automated monitoring instrument setup. The actual geometry of the experimental sample container and electrode setup was integrated in the 3D finite element method (FEM) model grid to perform inverse numerical modelling (inversion) and to develop resistivity tomographic images. The study shows a sharp increase in ratio of resistivity (R/Ro ≥ 50 %) in the test material in the region of smouldering hotspot and demonstrates the potential use of ERT technique for the detection of smouldering hotspots in silos and pile storage of organic material such as wood-based fuels, wood waste, coal, municipal solid waste (MSW), recyclables etc. More research is however required for enabling the use of this technique at the practical scale for different storage conditions.
Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2024.04.030
Database: SwePub
Description
Abstract:Incidents of waste and biofuel fires are common at all stages of the waste recycling chain and have grave implications for business, employees, firefighters, society, and environment. An early detection of waste and biofuel fires in the smouldering stage could save precious lives, resources, and our environment. Existing fire detection methodologies e.g. handheld temperature sensors, IR cameras, gas sensors, and video and satellite-based monitoring techniques have inherent limitations to efficiently detect smouldering fires. An attempt was made to explore the potential of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as an alternate tool to address the problem. In the experiments an externally powered resistive wire was employed to initiate the smouldering fire inside the test material (wood pellets, wood shavings, wood fines). Time series of ERT that followed the initiation and development of smouldering were recorded using an automated monitoring instrument setup. The actual geometry of the experimental sample container and electrode setup was integrated in the 3D finite element method (FEM) model grid to perform inverse numerical modelling (inversion) and to develop resistivity tomographic images. The study shows a sharp increase in ratio of resistivity (R/Ro ≥ 50 %) in the test material in the region of smouldering hotspot and demonstrates the potential use of ERT technique for the detection of smouldering hotspots in silos and pile storage of organic material such as wood-based fuels, wood waste, coal, municipal solid waste (MSW), recyclables etc. More research is however required for enabling the use of this technique at the practical scale for different storage conditions.
ISSN:0956053X
DOI:10.1016/j.wasman.2024.04.030