FlamesLab
The FlamesLab is located on the Diagonal-Besòs Campus, in the research building I. It consists of different experimental devices to study multiple aspects related to the dynamics of fires.
In the laboratory, we characterize the spread of fire in various types of fuel, the speed of combustion, the temperatures and emissivity of the flames and the energy released. These tests serve us to calibrate our systems for monitoring and predicting fire behavior and our simulations for the study of the impact of the urban-forest interface.
In addition, we study the effect of products for extinguishing fires: retardants, viscosifiers and foaming agents. We use a wide range of sensors and measuring devices: thermocouples, heat flow sensors, visible and thermographic cameras, scales, stoves, fuel moisture meters, etc.
Research programs
We study the technological risk in industry by carrying out different types of projects: mathematical modeling of serious accidents, fires, explosions, toxic clouds, transport of dangerous materials, accident studies in industry, etc.
We also carry out advanced research in the field of forest fires, developing scientific and technological solutions for cost-effective and sustainable fire management: infrared fire monitoring systems, prediction of the behavior of fire progress, studies of the impact of fire in the urban-forest interface, etc.
In addition, we develop projects in the field of fire protection engineering with a performance approach, carrying out numerical simulations of fire scenarios in different types of establishments.
We also carry out an important training task, participating in the organization of courses, seminars and conferences.
We investigate accidents for insurance companies, companies or courts.
Services it offers
- Artificial intelligence and big data in the field of risk analysis and safety in the process industry. Data-driven models and systems for risk prediction
- Detection and modeling of urban and industrial fires. Modeling urban and industrial fires using CFD tools
- Detection, monitoring and modeling of forest fires. Tools for forest fire monitoring. Modeling forest fires and at the urban-forest interface using CFD tools
Project with the Institute of Catalan Studies
Challenge: In the Mediterranean, it is common for there to be areas of abandoned forest and homes coexisting in the same space. This, together with climate change, contributes to the emergence of large fires.
Solution: The summer aims to provide tools to assess the vulnerability to the risk of forest blackouts in these areas. An assessment has been made of the different municipal areas, and a self-assessment guide has been created for the vulnerability of a residential area.
Equipment
- Oil fires and spill dispersion (large-scale outdoor test field)
- Forest fires
- Visible and infrared thermography cameras
- Heat flow sensors
- Mesuring equipment for environmental conditions
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