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Graph showing yields of carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide vs. equivalence ratio for KEVLAR® polyaramid fiber using an embodiment of the microscale fire calorimeter devices and techniques.
Microscale Fire Calorimeter for Combustion and Toxicity Testing
Traditional fire testing methods often require large samples, open flames, or complicated setups to study combustion. This technology introduces a compact, precise method using a Microscale Fire Calorimeter (MFC) that mimics realistic fire conditions with unprecedented control. When a solid material is thermally decomposed (pyrolyzed), it emits gaseous byproducts. These gases are then premixed with oxygen and combusted in the MFC’s reaction zone at high temperatures, without a visible flame. The MFC system precisely regulates oxygen availability, simulating different fire stages such as over-ventilated (oxygen-rich) and under-ventilated (oxygen-poor) conditions. This allows researchers to analyze how combustion chemistry changes as fires become more intense or oxygen-deprived. The system captures and quantifies the resulting gases and soot, enabling evaluation of environmental pollutants and toxic species produced during each combustion phase. This approach supports safer, smaller-scale laboratory testing while providing valuable data for applications such as material development, regulatory compliance, and forensic analysis. It bridges the gap between benchtop research and real-world fire scenarios.
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