A spatially uniform model of self-ignition due to combustible fluid leakage in insulation materials: The effect of initial conditions

The self-ignition phenomenon of flammable fluids in lagging material is inv estigated in the case of large activation energy and using spatially unifor m assumptions. A complete classification of the dynamical regimes includes slow regimes, thermal explosion, and a novel type of dynamical regime terme d "thermal explosion with delay." All possible transition scenarios between the different types of regimes are investigated. An explicit analytical de scription is obtained for the safe parametric domain in which the initial s elf-heating does not lead to a final ignition event.