Application of inverse analysis to correlate the parameters of the weighted-multi-point-source model to compute radiation from flames

The weighted-multi-point-source (WMP) model makes use of point sources for a fast computation of thermal radiation in both the near and the far fields of flames and jet fires. As such, it is an alternative to detailed flame simulations, which still require excessive computational time for practical engineering applications. On the other hand, the WMP model depends on the knowledge of a number of parameters, such as the fraction of radiated heat and the weights of each point source, which in turn depend on the flame operational conditions. The present study demonstrates the application of inverse analysis to determine and correlate the parameters of the WMP model for a set of measurements of radiative heat fluxes in the near field of laminar diffusion methane-air flames. The inverse problem is formulated as an optimization problem, which is solved by the generalized extremal optimization (GEO) algorithm. As will be shown in the paper, the WMP model with the parameters obtained by the inverse analysis is capable of reproducing the radiative heat flux with satisfactory results, and can be a useful tool for practical engineering calculations.