This question paper consists of 2 printed pages, each of which is identified by the Code Number PREN109201

UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS School of Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering May/June 2006 Examinations

PREN109201 RESOURCES, PROCESSES AND HAZARDS 2

Time allowed: 2 hours Answer three questions, one question from each section PLEASE SHOW ALL WORKINGS IN ANSWERS TO NUMERICAL QUESTIONS. SECTION A 1 (a) What are polymers? Explain the physical/structural differences between thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers (giving examples of each type) and describe their respective behaviour in fire. [50 marks] Outline the pattern of Energy Consumption in the UK domestic, industrial and industrial sectors. [25 marks] Explain why the available power in a wind is proportional to the (wind speed)3. Calculate how much power is contained in a wind stream traveling at [25 marks] 15 m/s through an area of 140 m2. Density of air = 1.2kg/m3.

(b) (c)

SECTION B 2 (a) Explain what is meant by the term rank in relation to coals and describe clearly how the important physical and chemical properties which characterise a coal vary with the rank of the coal. List some of the standard fuel testing methods which are used to specify the properties of commercial fuel oils. Outline briefly the basis of two of the tests you have listed and state the significance and application of the results that may be obtained.

(b)

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PREN109201

Answer two of the following. Illustrate you answers with diagrams or graphs as appropriate. (a) (b) The significance of burning velocity, flammability limits and flame temperature for gaseous fuel combustion. Explain why atomisation is a fundamental requirement in the combustion of a heavy fuel oil and outline the techniques that are used to achieve atomisation in industrial oil burners. Why it is often necessary to heat the oil prior to atomisation? A coal has a gross calorific value of 28500 kJ/kg. Calculate the net calorific value of the coal, given that it contains 5% hydrogen and 10% water by weight, and the enthalpy of vaporisation of water is 2442 KJ/kg. Explain how Power can be generated from (i) Pulverised Coal and (ii) Nuclear Fission.

(c)

(d)

SECTION C 4 (a) (b) (c) Define the three modes of heat transfer and give examples of how each mechanism may contribute to fire spread. [30 marks] Define the term specific heat capacity of a combustible material and discuss its significance in fire spread. [20 marks] In the UK permissible building separation distances are calculated on the basis that the exterior of a building must not be exposed to a heat flux greater than 12 kW/m2 from a neighbouring building on fire. Explain the origin of this limiting heat flux value. [10 marks] Estimate the appropriate separation distance of a new building from one that has a 2 m2 window facing directly onto the proposed new building. Assume the temperature of a fire inside the existing building to be 1000oC. (Take the Stefan-Boltzman constant as 5.67x10-8 W/m2K4, and assume an appropriate value for the emissivity of the fire.) [40 marks]

(d)

(a)

(b)

(c)

On a diagram showing the mass-burning-rate against time for typical compartment fire, mark clearly the phases of fire development. Briefly describe the characteristics of each phase and discuss some of the influencing parameters (and their effects) by comparison to an open fire. [45 marks] Explain the difference between a fuel controlled and ventilation controlled burning regime and with the aid of a diagram explain how the temperature in a compartment may change with the ventilation. [20 marks] Calculate the maximum mass-burning rate in a compartment with a door (1x2 m2) and a window (1x1 m2). State any assumptions that you make. [35 marks]

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