Modeling the interaction between fire-induced air flow and water mist with computational fluid dynamics

Consequent to abandoning the use of halon in total flooding gas protection systems, water mist systems are popularly used for fire suppression over the past decade. Numerical modeling is an effective tool and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling is a good method for studying the interaction between fire-induced flow and water droplets. Many CFD models are based on solving the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations for describing turbulence, which are widely used in compartment fire modeling and water mist fire suppression system (WMFSS) modeling. In studying the interaction between fire-induced flow and water droplets, the droplet phase is described either by the Lagrangian approach or Eulerian approach. Recent developments on modeling water spray, combustion and radiation, mechanisms and criteria for extinguishing fires by water mist system will be reviewed first in this paper. Current trends and perspective of CFD modeling in studying the interaction between fire-induced flow and water mist will then be discussed. Extensive validation on the theoretical concepts through experimental investigation is called upon.