Numerical Investigation on the Effect of Spatial Fuel Distribution in the Airplane on the Fireball Characteristics Generated by an Aircraft Impact

A large fireball is usually created during an aircraft impact. The fireball may engulf a building and impart great thermal radiation onto nearby targets. A series of numerical simulations with parametric studies was conducted for a real aircraft crash accident. The effects of fuel distribution in the aircraft and fuel spray angle on the fireball characteristics associated with an aircraft crash are investigated. By comparing with the fireball diameter and center height obtained from video footage reported in the literature, the simulated fireball diameter is closest to that observed in the video footage when the fuel spray angle is 15 degrees regardless of the number of dynamic fuel sprays. Furthermore, when the fuel distribution in the airplane is simulated with four dynamic sprays, the effect of spray angle on the predicted fireball center height is negligible. Based on the comparison of the simulated fuel droplet distribution with the fire zone after aircraft crash, we infer that the reliability of the simulation for the fireball generated by an aircraft crash depends on generation of a fuel jet in the front of the aircraft's nose. This work provides numerical simulation with validation of the fireball characteristics generated by an aircraft impact.

Automated summary

This study investigates the parametric effects of fuel distribution and spray angle on the fireball characteristics generated by an aircraft crash through numerical simulations. The comparison with video footage shows that the simulated fireball diameter is closest to the observed results when the fuel spray angle is 15 degrees, regardless of the number of dynamic fuel sprays. Additionally, the simulation suggests that the reliability of predicting the fireball generated by an aircraft crash depends on the generation of a fuel jet in the front of the aircraft's nose.