Effects of Fire Confinement

The rate of radiative heat transfer between two surfaces, a and p is  

Heat transfer does not occur until the electromagnetic waves or photons strike an object. This impact causes motion of the molecules on the surface. The heat generated is spread to the interior of the object through conduction (NFPA, 1997). 

In many process fires, heat transfer by radiation is the dominant form of heat transfer. The heat radiated from a flame is emitted by gases, in particular the products of combustion and by soot. Aflame in which the radiation is emitted solely from the gaseous products of combustion is termed nonluminous and a flame in which there is soot is termed luminous (i.e., yellow or visible). 

Flames of some hydrocarbons, such as natural gas, contain relatively little soot, whereas heavier hydrocarbons, such as kerosene and crude oil, generate copious amounts of soot and smoke. The heat transferred to a target will depend on the  

Radiant heat transfer can result in burns to personnel and can heat up unprotected process equipment and structural elements. If the heat is not dissipated by the application of cooling or conduction, the process equipment or structure may fail. 

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