Using inert hot-spots to induce ignition within industrial stockpiles

Abstract

The potential for materials undergoing oxidation reactions to spontaneously combust when they are stored in large stockpiles is well known. We consider an application in which such self-heating is desirable and investigate the use of inert hotspots as a means to promote thermal runaway. The size and location of the hotspot are found to have the largest effects on self-heating. Less pronounced are effects due a periodic ambient temperature. The advection velocity through the stockpile can have large effects.