Publications – ARC Training Centre for Fire Safety

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

A novel stochastic approach to study water droplet/flame interaction of water mist systems
2021/01/27
Published in: Numerical Heat Transfer, Part A: Applications
Authors: Hengrui Liu, Anthony Chun Yin Yuen, Ivan Miguel De Cachinho Cordeiro , Yu Han, Timothy Bo Yuan Chen, Qing Nian Chan, Sanghoon Kook & Guan Heng Yeoh
This work for the first time raised the concept of water utilization rate for fire suppression by utilizing a stochastic lagrangian multi-phase CFD model coupled with combustion.

A Review on Lithium-Ion Battery Separators towards Enhanced Safety Performances and Modelling Approaches
2021/01/18
Published in: Molecules
Authors: A. Li, A.C.Y. Yuen*, W. Wang, I.M. De Cachinho Cordeiro, C. Wang, T.B.Y. Chen, J. Zhang, Q.N. Chan, G.H. Yeoh
In recent years, the applications of lithium-ion batteries have emerged promptly owing to its widespread use in portable electronics and electric vehicles. Nevertheless, the safety of the battery systems has always been a global concern for the end-users.

Multifunctional MXene/natural rubber composite films with exceptional flexibility and durability
2020/05/01
Published in: Composites Part B: Engineering
Authors: W. Yang, J.J. Liu, L.L. Wang, W. Wang, A.C.Y. Yuen*, S.H. Peng, B. Yu*, H.D. Lu, G.H. Yeoh, C.H. Wang
Recent advancement of MXene (Ti3C2Tx) nanosheets has demonstrated the wide range of applications benefiting from its lightweight and high electrical conductivity. It possesses great potential as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding material owing to its layered structure and high conductivity.

Investigation of door width towards flame tilting behaviours and combustion species in compartment fire scenarios using large eddy simulation
2020/04/01
Published in: International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
Authors: Q. Chen, T.B.Y. Chen, A.C.Y. Yuen*, C. Wang, Q.N. Chan, G.H. Yeoh
Numerical assessment on a large-scale compartment buoyant fires was performed to investigate the effect of exit door width on the flame tilting behaviour, evolution of the thermal layer and formation of combustion species.

Nanoparticles of polydopamine for improving mechanical and flame-retardant properties of an epoxy resin
2020/04/01
Published in: Composites Part B: Engineering
Authors: W.M. Yang, S.Y. Wu, W. Yang, A.C.Y. Yuen, Y. Zhou, G.H. Yeoh, C. Boyer, C.H. Wang*
A bio-flame retardant filler was synthesized via the self-polymerization of dopamine hydrochloride in alkaline condition, yielding nano-sized polydopamine (nano-PDA) particles ranging between 50 and 100 nm in diameters.

MXene/chitosan nanocoating for flexible polyurethane foam towards remarkable fire hazards reductions
2020/01/05
Published in: Journal of Hazardous Materials
Authors: B. Lin, A.C.Y. Yuen, A. Li, Y. Zhang, T.B.Y. Chen, B. Yu, E.W.M. Lee, S.H. Peng, W. Yang*, H.D. Lu, Q.N. Chan, G.H. Yeoh, C.H. Wang
MXene/chitosan nanocoating for flexible polyurethane foam (PUF) was prepared via layer-by-layer (LbL) approach. MXene (Ti3C2) ultra-thin nanosheets were obtained through etching process of Ti3AlC2 followed by exfoliation.

Numerical Study of the Comparison of Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Eddy-Generation Scheme on the Fire Whirl Formulation and Evolution
2020/01/01
Published in: Applied Sciences
Authors: C. Wang, A.C.Y. Yuen*, Q.N. Chan, T.B.Y. Chen, H.L. Yip, S.C.P. Cheung, S. Kook, G.H. Yeoh
A numerical study of the fire whirl formation under symmetrical and asymmetrical entraining configuration is presented. This work aims to assess the effect of eddy-generation configuration on the evolution of the intriguing phenomenon coupled with both flow dynamics and combustion.

Utilising genetic algorithm to optimise pyrolysis kinetics for fire modelling and characterisation of chitosan/graphene oxide polyurethane composites
2019/11/27
Published in: Composites Part B: Engineering
Authors: A.C.Y. Yuen, T.B.Y. Chen, C. Wang, W. Wei, I. Kabir, J.B. Vargas, Q.N. Chan, S. Kook, G.H. Yeoh*
A fire assessment model has been developed to provide a better understanding of the flame propagation, toxic gases and smoke generations of polymer composites. In this study, the effectiveness of the Chitosan/Graphene Oxide layer-by-layer fire retardant coating on flexible polyurethane foam was investigated experimentally and numerically.

Interface decoration of exfoliated MXene ultra-thin nanosheets for fire and smoke suppressions of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer
2019/07/15
Published in: Journal of hazardous materials
Authors: B. Yu, B. Tawiah, L.Q. Wang, A.C.Y. Yuen, Z.C. Zhang, L.L. Shen, B. Lin, B. Fei, W. Yang*, A. Li, S.E. Zhu, E.Z. Hu, H.D. Lu, G.H. Yeoh
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) has broad applications as lightweight materials due to its multiple advantages and unique properties. Nevertheless, toxicity emission under fire conditions remains a major concern, particularly in building fire scenarios.

Functionalization of MXene Nanosheets for Polystyrene towards High Thermal Stability and Flame Retardant Properties
2019/06/03
Published in: Polymers
Authors: J.Y. Si, B. Tawiah, W.L. Sun, B. Lin, C. Wang, A.C.Y. Yuen, B. Yu*, A. Li, W. Yang*, H.D. Lu, Q.N. Chan, G.H. Yeoh
Fabricating high-performance MXene-based polymer nanocomposites is a huge challenge because of the poor dispersion and interfacial interaction of MXene nanosheets in the polymer matrix.

Flame retardant poly (lactic acid) biocomposites based on azo‐boron coupled 4,4′‐sulfonyldiphenol and its combination with calcium lignosulfonate—Crystalline and mechanical properties
2019/05/10
Published in: Polymers for Advanced Technologies
Authors: B. Tawiah, B. Yu, W. Yang, R.K.K. Yuen, B. Fei*
Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) has become an important biopolymer with excellent properties but has limited engineering applications where fire safety is ultimate. An efficient flame retardant (FR) for PLA biocomposites based on azo‐boron coupled with 4,4′‐sulfonyldiphenol‐(((1E,1′E)‐(sulfonylbis(6‐hydroxy‐3,1‐phenylene))bis (diazene‐2,1‐diyl))bis(3,1‐phenylene))diboronic acid (SBDA) was synthesized and characterized by FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR spectra.

Characterisation of soot particle size distribution through population balance approach and soot diagnostic techniques for a buoyant non-premixed flame
2019/04/10
Published in: Journal of the Energy Institute
Authors: C. Wang, A.C.Y. Yuen*, Q.N. Chan, T.B.Y. Chen, W. Yang, S.C.P. Cheung, G.H. Yeoh
Combustion-generated soot particles is a subject of great interest due to its existing and future use in research and industrial sectors. An in-house Direct Quadrature Method of Moments (DQMOM) based population balance model is constructed to investigate the evolution of soot particulate.

Computational Study of Wet Steam Flow to Optimize Steam Ejector Efficiency for Potential Fire Suppression Application
2019/04/09
Published in: Applied Sciences
Authors: A. Li, A.C.Y. Yuen, T.B.Y. Chen, C. Wang, H.R. Liu, R.F. Cao, W. Yang*, G.H. Yeoh, V. Timchenko
The steam ejector is a core component of an ejector-based refrigeration system. Additionally, steam ejectors can also be potentially applied for a fire suppression system by using pressurized steam droplets to rapidly quench and extinguish the fire.

Pectin-assisted dispersion of exfoliated boron nitride nanosheets for assembled bio-composite aerogels
2019/04/01
Published in: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Authors: W. Yang*, A.C.Y. Yuen, P. Ping, R.C. Wei, L. Hua, Z. Zhu, A. Li, S.E. Zhu, L.L. Wang, J. Liang, T.B.Y. Chen, B. Yu*, J.Y. Si, H.D. Lu, Q.N. Chan, G.H. Yeoh
Boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) were prepared via the exfoliation of hexagonal boron nitride in isopropyl alcohol. Extremely stable BNNSs dispersions were obtained after the ultrasonication in pectin aqueous suspensions, and the bio-composite aerogels were fabricated via the freeze-drying process.

Facile flame retardant finishing of cotton fabric with hydrated sodium metaborate
2019/03/09
Published in: Cellulose
Authors: B. Tawiah, B. Yu, W. Yang, R.K.K. Yuen, B. Fei*
Flame retardant (FR) cotton fabric was facilely prepared using hydrated sodium metaborate (SMB) crystalized in situ in the interstices and on the surface of cotton fabric via one-pot impregnation approach, and the thermal, FR and mechanical properties were investigated. TGA results showed that SMB treatment improved the thermal stability of cotton fabric and enhanced the char yield.

Thermal, crystalline and mechanical properties of flame retarded Poly(lactic acid) with a PBO-like small molecule - Phenylphosphonic Bis(2-aminobenzothiazole)
2019/03/08
Published in: Polymer Degradation and Stability
Authors: T.B.Y. Chen, A.C.Y. Yuen*, G.H. Yeoh, W. Yang, Q.N. Chan B. Tawiah, B. Yu, A.C.Y. Yuen, R.K.K. Yuen, J.H. Xin, B. Fei*
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has received considerable attention due to its potential to replace the petrochemically derived plastics. However, its high flammability and the tendency to melt drip during combustion has restricted its applications in many areas.

Sensitivity Analysis of Key Parameters for Population Balance Based Soot Model for Low-Speed Diffusion Flames
2019/03/08
Published in: Energies
Authors: C. Wang, A.C.Y. Yuen*, Q.N. Chan, T.B.Y. Chen, W. Yang, S.C.P. Cheung, G.H. Yeoh
In this article, the evolution of in-flame soot species in a slow speed, buoyancy-driven diffusion flame is thoroughly studied with the implementation of the population balance approach in association with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques.

Fire Risk Assessment of Combustible Exterior Cladding Using a Collective Numerical Database
2019/02/25
Published in: Fire
Authors: T.B.Y. Chen, A.C.Y. Yuen*, G.H. Yeoh, W. Yang, Q.N. Chan
Recent high-profile building fires involving highly-combustible external cladding panels in Australia as well as Dubai, China, and the United Kingdom have created a heightened awareness by the public, government, and commercial entities to act on the risks associated with non-compliant building structures.

Natural Ventilated Smoke Control Simulation Case Study Using Different Settings of Smoke Vents and Curtains in a Large Atrium
2019/01/30
Published in: Fire
Authors: A.C.Y. Yuen*, T.B.Y. Chen, W. Yang, C. Wang, A. Li, G.H. Yeoh, Q.N. Chan, M.C. Chan
In this study, a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) based fire field model was applied to numerically investigate the effectiveness of smoke control using smoke vents and curtains within a large-scale atrium fire. Two compartment configurations were considered: the first case with no smoke curtains installed, while the second case included a smoke curtain at the centre of the compartment to trap smoke.

Color-ratio pyrometry methods for flame–wall impingement study
2018/11/28
Published in: Journal of the Energy Institute
Authors: Q.N. Chan*, I.M. Rizwanul Fattah, G. Zhai, H.L. Yip, T.B.Y. Chen, A.C.Y. Yuen, W. Yang, A. Wehrfritz, X. Dong, S. Kook, G.H. Yeoh
The use of color-ratio pyrometry (CRP) methods, with variable or prescribed soot content (KL) to image flame–wall interactions was examined, with results compared with that obtained using the more mature two-color pyrometry (TCP) technique.

Surface Manipulation of Thermal-Exfoliated Hexagonal Boron Nitride with Polyaniline for Improving Thermal Stability and Fire Safety Performance of Polymeric Materials
2018/11/06
Published in: ACS Omega, 2018, 3 (11), pp 14942-14952
Authors: Y. R. Zhi, B. Yu*, A. C. Y. Yuen, J. Liang, L. Q. Wang, W. Yang*, H. D. Lu, G. H. Yeoh
In this article, the polyaniline (PANI)/thermal-exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (BNO) hierarchical structure (PANI−BNO) was constructed via in situ deposition to improve the dispersion and interfacial adhesion of boron nitride in multi-aromatic polystyrene (PS) and polar thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

Novel 3D Network Architectured Hybrid Aerogel Comprising Epoxy, Graphene, and Hydroxylated Boron Nitride Nanosheets
2018/10/31
Published in: ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2018, 10 (46), pp 40032–40043
Authors: W. Yang, N.N. Wang, P. Ping, A.C.Y. Yuen, A. Li, S.E. Zhu, L. L. Wang, J. Wu, T.B.Y. Chen, J.Y. Si, B.D. Rao, H.D. Lu, Q.N. Chan, G.H. Yeoh
A novel three-dimensional (3D) epoxy/graphene nanosheet/hydroxylated boron nitride (EP/GNS/BNOH) hybrid aerogel was successfully fabricated in this study. This was uniquely achieved by constructing a well-defined and interconnected 3D network architecture.

Establishing pyrolysis kinetics for the modelling of the flammability and burning characteristics of solid combustible materials
2018/9/20
Published in: Journal of Fire Science, 2018, 36 (6), pp 494-517
Authors: A.C.Y. Yuen, T.B.Y. Chen, G.H. Yeoh, W. Yang, S.C.P. Cheung, M. Cook, B. Yu, Q.N. Chan, H.L. Yip
A generic framework was proposed to effectively characterise the pyrolysis kinetics of any household furniture materials. To examine the validity of this method, two wooden polymeric samples, (1) furniture plywood and (2) particle board, were experimented through thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses, as well as cone calorimetry.

Numerical study of the development and angular speed of a small-scale fire whirl
2018/5/2
Published in: Journal of Computational Science, 2018, 27, pp. 21-34
Authors: A.C.Y. Yuen, G.H. Yeoh, S.C.P. Cheung, Q.N. Chan, T.B.Y. Chen, W. Yang, H. Lu
The development stages of a small-scale fire whirl including the ignition, flame-rising and fully-developed whirling were successfully captured ...

Predicting the fire spread rate of a sloped pine needle board utilizing pyrolysis modelling with detailed gas-phase combustion
2018/10/31
Published in: International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2018, 125, pp. 310-322
Authors: T.B.Y. Chen, A.C.Y. Yuen, C. Wang, G.H. Yeoh, V. Timchenko, S.C.P. Cheung, Q.N. Chan, W. Yang
A novel Large Eddy Simulation (LES) based fire field model that incorporates pyrolysis modelling has been developed ...

Numerical study of fire spread using the level-set method with large eddy simulation incorporating detailed chemical kinetics gas-phase combustion model
2018/1/31
Published in: Journal of Computational Science, 2018, 24, pp. 8-23
Authors: T.B.Y. Chen, A.C.Y. Yuen, G.H. Yeoh, V. Timchenko, S.C.P. Cheung, Q.N. Chan, W. Yang, H. Lu
A fire code has been developed for the purpose of modelling wildland fires via Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and the use of the level-set approach to track the flame front ...

Comparison of detailed soot formation models for sooty and non-sooty flames in an under-ventilated ISO room
2017/12/1
Published in: International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2017, 115, pp. 717-729
Authors: A.C.Y. Yuen, G.H. Yeoh, V. Timchenko, T.B.Y. Chen, Q.N. Chan, C. Wang, D.D. Li
In fire simulations, it is essential to include detailed chemical kinetics for the description of the combustion process where intermediate chemical products ...