Measuring Electrical Conductivity in Biomass Fires
Author Information
Author(s): Mphale Kgakgamatso, Heron Mal
Primary Institution: University of Botswana
Hypothesis
The electrical conductivity of vegetation fires is important for predicting flashover in high voltage power transmission faults.
Conclusion
The electrical conductivity of eucalyptus fire ranged from 0.0058 to 0.0079 mho/m at a maximum temperature of 1240 K.
Supporting Evidence
- The electrical conductivity of vegetation fires is influenced by temperature and ionization.
- Conductivity values were observed to decrease with increasing frequency.
- Flame temperatures reached a maximum of 1240 K during the experiment.
Takeaway
This study looked at how well electricity can flow through fires made from plants. They found that hotter fires let electricity flow better.
Methodology
A controlled fire burner was constructed to measure electrical conductivity using a vector network analyzer and thermocouples for temperature.
Limitations
The measured conductivity values were lower than those reported for other flames, possibly due to lower temperatures and incomplete combustion.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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