Thermal analysis of thin layer boilover

A mathematical model is developed to simulate the thin layer boilover phenomenon. This model takes into account convective currents as well as conduction and radiation absorption through the fuel layer and is resolved numerically employing a scheme of Runge–Kutta, combined with the numerical method of lines. Solutions of the model showed a good agreement with the experimental data, both from this work and by other authors, demonstrating the importance of the convective currents. The model provided velocities of these currents, of the same order of magnitude as the values reported in the technical literature. Thickness of the remaining fuel and the interface temperature are correctly calculated by the model, allowing the prediction of the time required for the boilover to start.