Based on this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_steel the critical temperature of structural steel is 540 degrees celcius. Based on this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_fuel the open air burning temperature of jet fuel is between 260 and 315 degrees celcius. If these numbers are correct, how long would the jet fuel have to burn in order to bring the steel to its critical temperature?
2006-09-10 06:25:56 · 3 answers · asked by Roland D. 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
That would depend upon how much of the heat from combustion goes into the steel and how much of the heat in the steel is dissapated into the surroundings. Since a jet engine must have an exhaust to operate, much of the heat will go out with the exhaust gases. The steel will lose heat to the surroundings as well. With this considered, the steel will not reach the critical temperature.
2006-09-10 06:31:14 · answer #1 · answered by Richard 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If this is the case, it probably would not happen in open air because the wind blowing would disrupt the heating. In an enclosed area like a concrete and steel building air would be jetted in through openings and increase the heat like a cutting torch. It might take an hour or less, depending on the openings and the amount of fuel being burned.
2006-09-10 13:32:16 · answer #2 · answered by eferrell01 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There was a high rise that burned over twenty four hours before it was put out. When a bomber flew through the Empire State building it burned for sometime also.
2006-09-10 13:57:18 · answer #3 · answered by Shangrala 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋