Experimental study of local heat flux downstream of two adjacent pool fires: Effect of burner aspect ratio

Pool fires involving combustible gases, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petroleum gas, are significant hazards in industrial settings, particularly in storage and transportation facilities. These fires propagate rapidly and exhibit complex flame interactions, driven by high-temperature heat transfer and gas fluidity, making them highly prone to fire domino effects. This experimental study examines the influence of burner aspect ratio, fire source distance, and heat release rate on the flame merging probability and downstream heat flow distribution. Results show that flame merging probability increases with larger burner aspect ratios and higher heat release rates, while greater fire source distances reduce merging probability due to changes in air entrainment. At a constant heat release rate and fire source distance, downstream heat flow increases with the burner aspect ratio but decreases monotonically with distance from the fire source. A predictive model for downstream ground heat flow distribution is developed based on the observed flame merging probability, providing a framework for evaluating thermal hazards associated with pool fire scenarios. This study advances the understanding of thermal behaviors in pool fires and offers insights for enhancing safety and risk management in industrial applications.