Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation of Combustion and Fire

Aims

Combustion and fire science share the same fundamentals but differ in their focus regarding application. Briefly stated, combustion science is mostly about the maintenance, control and optimisation of a purposefully created combustion process to achieve some goals, whereas fire science is primarily about the prevention and/or suppression of unintended and undesirable combustion. Traditionally, the two topics have been treated as different groups that do not necessarily have much intrinsic contact. As a novelty, the current section takes into account the common fundamentals and similarities between both disciplines and provides a common platform for both. This shall improve communication between the two research areas and serve to better exploit the existing synergistic potential.

Numerical simulations are being increasingly used as predictive tools in all areas of science and engineering. With the increase in available computer resources as well as computational methods and tools, the predictive capability and, thus, the impact of the simulation techniques are continuously increasing. This section of the journal aims to adequately take this development into account and to underline the importance of modelling and simulation in combustion and fire research. This section provides a dedicated platform to scientists and engineers for disseminating information with regard to the development of and improvement in mathematical and numerical models as well as software tools to predict and analyse combustion, fire and related phenomena.

Although the universality and comprehensiveness of models increases with modelling sophistication, simplified models are equally as valuable, as they can attain a comparably high predictive capability when applied within their validity range and/or in answering specific questions. Soft computing techniques that are increasingly being used are also welcome.

We believe that application work can also be as valuable as developmental work. The settings of practical problem are often so complex that a high level of ingenuity is required in issues such as finding a suitable trade-off between modelling complexity and practicality, defining boundary conditions or interpretating the results for a better understanding of the phenomenon. Thus, innovative applications of models and software tools are equally encouraged.

Although this section primarily addresses the development and application of mathematical and numerical methods and software tools, adequately documented experimental investigations that can serve as a database for the validation of the models are also welcome.

Scope

It is nearly impossible to provide a complete list of subjects for the scope. Still, the list below is provided for guidance.

• Development and validation of combustion and pollutant formation mechanisms
• Turbulent combustion of premixed and non-premixed flames
• Ignition and extinction phenomena
• Combustion of liquid fuels including biofuels
• Combustion and gasification of solid fuels including biomass
• Catalytic combustion
• Emissions control
• Novelties in combustion technology and systems
• Heat and mass transfer in reacting flows
• Fire chemistry, pollutant formation
• Fire growth, flame propagation
• Smoke formation, movement and dispersion
• Fire and flame retardants
• Active and passive fire protection systems and methods
• Fire detection and extinction
• Fire safety design
• Design and development of fire safety devices and equipment