Convection heat transfer in the cone calorimeter

Estimates of the convection heat transfer coefficient (HTC) in the cone calorimeter are obtained from a near-steady-state analysis of the temperature histories of horizontal coated steel plates. Corrections are applied to the derived HTC values to account for changes of the surface emissivity as a function of temperature. Furthermore, estimates are obtained of the additional heat losses through the sides of the sample holder and the insulation layer on which the test sample rests. The derived HTC values are analysed and correlations presented in the form of Nu=f(Ra) as well as h=f(T), where Nu is the plate Nusselt number, Ra is the plate Rayleigh number, h is the HTC and T is the plate temperature.