Numerical study on the effects of blocking ratio and spraying angle on the smoke flow characteristics of new energy vehicle fires in tunnels

Compared with traditional fuel vehicle fires, new electric vehicle fires have a fast flame propagation rate and higher smoke toxicity. Thus, higher requirements need to be implemented when designing tunnel fire protection. In this study, a horizontal highway tunnel with a rectangular cross-section is taken as the research scenario, and the FDS numerical simulation method is used to study the effects of different blocking ratios and key parameters of the water mist system in a rectangular tunnel under longitudinal ventilation on the smoke temperature and flow state near the fire source area. The results indicate that the average velocity of smoke in the vicinity of the fire source in the tunnel is mainly related to the cross-sectional size of the obstruction, and changing the spray angle does not affect the state of the smoke flow field. The relationship between the cross-sectional size of the blocked vehicles in the tunnel and the spray angle is proposed. In addition, when the blocking ratio reaches 25%, the back-layer length of smoke corresponding to the subsequent blocking ratio remains basically unchanged. Setting a reasonable spray angle can significantly reduce the CO mass fraction in the tunnel, while the visibility of the tunnel will also decrease. Using the dimensionless analysis method, a critical velocity correction model based on the blocking ratio factors is proposed. These research results provide a theoretical reference for the design of longitudinal ventilation and smoke exhaust for new energy-electric vehicles in highway tunnels.