A numerical study of buoyant plumes in cross-flow conditions

Abstract

A computational procedure for predicting the buoyant plume above a line fire in a cross wind is reported. The present model takes into account the interaction between the plume and the surrounding flow by solving the two-dimensional equations for the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. Fields of velocity and temperature are predicted along with plume trajectory and width for different wind speeds. This model can be used to evaluate the impact of a wildland fire upon vegetation such as crown scorch, burning brands trajectory, and smoke or ash dispersal.