It is planned for the investigations to be carried out using a cone calorimeter (CC),which is regarded as the standard piece of equipment used to quantify the output products and the properties of a given material under combustion.

 The cone calorimeter explained

There are two input variables to be investigated. These are the heat flux radiated by the CC and the moisture content of the peat sample. We will investigate the range of conditions and choose our ranges within these variables accordingly.  

 The key output parameters measured periodically by the CC's computer include:-

• Mass loss rate
• CO production
• CO2 production
• Oxygen consumption
• Heat Release Rate (HRR)
• Smoke density

The other key output variable measured is the ignition time which is a one off measurement.

We will use the reuslts to characterise the ignition proerties and smouldering intensity of peat. The ignition properties that can be obtained include ignition time, minimum ignition heat flux and the maximum ignition moisture moisture content. the smouldering intensity properties include the Heat release rate, mass loss
rate, CO and CO2 production rate.

It should be noted that the first calorimeter was built in 1985 and there are currently around 100 machines world wide but this is the first time that the machine will be used on a smouldering specimen.