Alfonso F. Ibarreta, Ph.D., P.E., CFEI

Dr. Ibarreta applies thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer principles to the study of combustion processes in fires, explosions, and a variety of combustion devices. He is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator and has investigated fires and explosions involving consumer products, residential and commercial buildings, and industrial facilities.

Dr. Ibarreta is a principal member of the NFPA’s Technical Committee on Explosion Protection Systems. This committee is responsible for NFPA documents related to explosion protection systems for buildings and equipment, including NFPA 67 Guide on Explosion Protection for Gaseous Mixtures in Pipe Systems, NFPA 68 Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting, and NFPA 69 Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems. Dr. Ibarreta is also the mechanical engineering representative at the Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations. This board is responsible for amending and promulgating the comprehensive fire safety code (527 CMR) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Dr. Ibarreta has evaluated the compliance of industrial facilities with NFPA standards and local codes for the prevention and mitigation of dust and gas explosions, and helped design and test dust explosion mitigation systems. He has also performed consequence modeling of cryogenic and flammable liquid / gas releases during the permitting of LNG import and export terminals, in accordance with federal regulations. Dr. Ibarreta is specifically interested in modeling of vented deflagrations and unconfined vapor cloud explosions.

Dr. Ibarreta has performed testing involving consumer products, including lighting equipment, electric and gas appliances, and evaluated their compliance with standards and regulations (such as UL, CSA, IEC, ASTM, API, and CFR). He has inspected and tested fuel gas supply equipment. He has researched changes in flammability of polymeric materials with thermal aging, and studied the ignition characteristic of solid and powder fuels.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Ibarreta was a Senior Research Associate at Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland. During this time at Case, Dr. Ibarreta served as lab manager while simultaneously performing research dealing with hydrocarbon and hydrogen combustion. He has worked on several NASA funded projects, conducting studies at NASA Glenn’s 2.2 Second Drop Tower facility. He has been involved in combustion research for the past 14 years, starting with his graduate work at the University of Michigan, where he studied premixed flame propagation utilizing high-speed imaging techniques.

Ashcraft R, Ibarreta A, Myers T. Preferential gas flow around a snow-covered pipe: Empirical evidence and modeling. The National Investigator, National Association of Fire Investigators, Saratosa, FL, Fall/Winter Issue 2012.

Bucher JM, Ford WP, Ibarreta AF, Marr KC, Myers TJ. Testing of marginally explosible dusts: evaluation of overdriving and realistic ignition sources in process facilities. Proceedings, Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center Symposium, College Station, TX, 2012.

Ibarreta AF, Myers TJ, Bucher JM, Marr K. Explosion severity: propane versus natural gas. Proceedings, International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, Hyattsville, MD, 2012.

Ibarreta AF. Explosion hazards of gas and vapor mixtures. Proceedings, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Spring National Meeting, Houston, TX, 2012.

Ibarreta AF, Myers TJ. Tutorial on combustible dust. Proceedings, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Spring National Meeting, Houston, TX, 2012.

Ponchaut NF, Ibarreta AF, Kytömaa HK. Modeling of LNG spills into trenches and troughs. AIChE Spring Meeting, 12th Topical Conference on Gas Utilization, Houston, TX, April 2012.

Ponchaut NF, Kytömaa HK, Ibarreta AF. Modeling the vapor source associated with spills of LNG into troughs and trenches. AIChE Spring National Meeting, 11th Topical Conference on Gas Utilization, Chicago, IL, March 2011.

Ashcraft RW, Ibarreta AF, Myers, TJ. Leaking gas from a snow-covered pipe: Empirical evidence and modeling of preferential flow paths. Journal of Fire Protection Engineering 2011; 21:57–79.

Kytömaa H, Ibarreta A, Loud J. Char depth mapping of floor structure to determine fire origin. Proceedings, International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, Hyattsville, MD, 2010.

Ashcraft R, Ibarreta A, Myers T. Preferential gas flow around a snow-covered pipe: Empirical evidence and modeling. Proceedings, International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, Hyattsville, MD, 2010.

Kytömaa H, Myers T, Ibarreta A, Ponchaut N. Using real time process models to detect loss of containment and mitigate hazards. Proceedings, 12th Process Plant Safety Symposium, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Spring National Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 2010.

Myers T, Kytömaa H, Ibarreta A, Ponchaut N. Analyzing historic process data to identify near misses and warning signs: Examples from the Buncefield incident. Proceedings, 6th Global Congress on Process Safety, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Spring National Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 2010.

Myers T, Ibarreta A. Investigation of the Jahn Foundry and CTA Acoustics dust explosions: Similarities and differences. J Loss Prev Process Indust 2009; 22:740–745.

Ibarreta A, Clevenger J, Ellison A. Changes in flammability of nylon used as insulation in electrical connectors. American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Journal, Summer 2009.

Myers T, Ibarreta A. Case study of a hydrogen explosion in an electrical panel. Fire Saf Mag 2009; Spring:12–19.

Myers T, Ibarreta A, Ashcraft R. Dust explosion prevention: Regulations, standards, and mitigation techniques. Proceedings, 43rd AIChE Loss Prevention Symposium, Tampa Bay, FL, April 2009.

Davis S, Ibarreta A, Kessel A, Ellison A. Flammability of nylon used as insulation in electrical connectors. Proceedings, International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, Cincinnati, OH, 2008.

Myers T, Ibarreta A. Case study of a hydrogen explosion in an electrical panel. Proceedings, 42nd Annual Loss Prevention Symposium, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Spring National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 2008.

Myers T, Ibarreta A. Investigation of the Jahn Foundry and CTA acoustics dust explosions: Similarities and differences. Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center Symposium, 2007.

Rangwala A, Myers T, Ibarreta A. Measurements of the non-dimensional Frank-Kamenetskii number using a standard dust layer ignition testing apparatus. 5th International Seminar on Fire and Explosion Hazards, Edinburgh, UK, 2007.

Davis S, Ibarreta A, Clevenger J. Flammability of electrical crimp connectors subjected to heating. Proceedings, Fire and Materials 10th International Conference, 2007.

Han B, Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, T’ien JS. Structure of low-stretch methane nonpremixed flames. Combust Flame 2007; 149:173–190.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, Wang H. Experimental characterization of premixed spherical ethylene/air flames under sooting conditions. Proceedings, Combustion Institute 2006; 31:1047–1054.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ. Optimization of Jet-A fuel reforming for aerospace applications. Int J Hydrogen Energy 2006; 31:1066–1078.

Mento C, Sung CJ, Ibarreta A, Schneider S. Catalytic ignition of methane/hydrogen/oxygen mixtures for microthruster applications. 42nd AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, AIAA Paper No. 2006-4871, 2006.

Mento C, Sung CJ, Ibarreta A, Schneider S. Effects of hydrogen addition on catalytic ignition of rich methane/oxygen mixtures in a platinum microtube. Technical Meeting of the Central States Section of The Combustion Institute, Case Western Reserve University, NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, 2006.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ. Flame temperature and location measurements of sooting premixed Bunsen flames using rainbow schlieren deflectometry. Appl Opt 2005; 44, No. 14:3565–3575.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, Wang H. Burning velocities of sooting premixed ethylene/air flames in microgravity. 4th Joint Meeting US Sections of the Combustion Institute, Paper No. F08, Philadelphia, PA, March 2005.

Han B, Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, T’ien JS. Structure of low stretch methane diffusion flames. 4th Joint Meeting US Sections of the Combustion Institute, Paper No. F21, Philadelphia, PA, March 2005.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, Hirasawa T, Wang H. Burning velocity measurements of sooting premixed flames. 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Conference, Reno, NV, January 2004.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, Wang H, Hirasawa T. Burning velocity measurements of microgravity spherical sooting premixed flames using rainbow schlieren deflectometry. Combust Flame 2005; 140:93–102.

Han B, Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, T’ien JS. Experimental low stretch gaseous diffusion flames in buoyancy-induced flowfields. Proceedings, Combustion Institute 2004; 30:527–535.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ. Temperature measurements in sooting premixed flames using rainbow schlieren deflectometry. 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Conference, Reno, NV, January 2004.

Han B, Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, T’ien J. A study on buoyancy-induced low stretch gaseous diffusion flames. 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Conference, Reno, NV, January 2004.

Han B, Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, T’ien J. Experimental diagnostics on buoyancy-induced low stretch gaseous diffusion flames. Technical Meeting of Eastern States Sections of the Combustion Institute, University Park, PA, p. 157, October 2003.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ. Determination of flame location using rainbow schlieren deflectometry. 3rd Joint Meeting of U.S. Sections of the Combustion Institute, Paper No. PI03, Chicago, IL, March 2003.

Han B, Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, T’ien J. On burner-generated low-stretch diffusion flames in natural-convective flows. 3rd Joint Meeting of U.S. Sections of the Combustion Institute, Paper No. PC03, Chicago, IL, March 2003.

Ibarreta A, Driscoll, J. Effects of negative curvature on the flame structure and burning velocities of laminar premixed flames. 2nd Joint Meeting of US Sections of the Combustion Institute, Oakland, CA, March 2001.

Ibarreta A. An experimental and numerical study of the inwardly-propagating premixed flame. Ph.D. thesis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 2002.

Ibarreta A, Driscoll JF, Feikema DA. Markstein numbers of negatively-stretched flames—Microgravity measurements and computations. Proceedings, Combustion Institute 2002; 29:1435–1443.

Ibarreta A, Driscoll JF. Measured burning velocities of stretched inwardly propagating premixed flames. Proceedings, Combustion Institute 2000; 28:1783–1791.

Presentations and Posters

Ibarreta A, Ellison A. Investigation of explosion incidents. New England Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, February 2013.

Ibarreta AF. Explosion hazards of gas and vapor mixtures. Proceedings, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Spring National Meeting, Houston, TX, 2012.

Ibarreta AF, Myers TJ, Bucher JM, Marr K. Explosion severity: propane versus natural gas. International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, Hyattsville, MD, 2012.

Myers TJ, Ibarreta AF. The role of engineering analysis in explosion investigations. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Department of Fire Protection Engineering, Worcester, MA, 2012.

Ibarreta AF, Myers TJ. Tutorial on combustible dusts. American Institute of Chemical Engineers Spring National Meeting, Houston, TX, 2012.

Ellison A, Ibarreta A. Investigation of explosions using engineering analysis. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Department of Fire Protection Engineering, Worcester, MA, April, 2011.

Bucher JM, Ibarreta AF, Myers, TJ. Combustible dusts: Hazard recognition and abatement. Greater Boston Chapter American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Hopkinton, MA, 2011.

Ibarreta A, Myers T. Fires and explosions involving fuel gas systems. First Party Claims Conference (FPCC), Providence-Warwick, RI, 2010.

Kytömaa H, Ibarreta A, Loud J. Char depth mapping of floor structure to determine fire origin. Proceedings, International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, Hyattsville, MD, 2010.

Ibarreta A, Ashcraft R, Myers, T. Preferential gas flow around a snow-covered pipe: Empirical evidence and modeling. International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, Hyattsville, MD, 2010.

Myers T, Ibarreta A. Investigation of explosions using engineering analysis. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Department of Fire Protection Engineering, Worcester, MA, 2010.

Kytömaa H, Myers T, Ibarreta A, Ponchaut N. Using real time process models to detect loss of containment and mitigate hazards. 12th Process Plant Safety Symposium, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Spring National Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 2010.

Myers T, Kytömaa H, Ibarreta A, Ponchaut N. Analyzing historic process data to identify near misses and warning signs: Examples from the Buncefield incident. 6th Global Congress on Process Safety, American Institute of Chemical Engineers Spring National Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 2010.

Myers T, Ibarreta A. Water leaks, oil spills and gas explosions – When good pipes go bad. Cozen O’Connor, Philadelphia, PA, 2010.

Kytömaa H, Myers T, Ibarreta A, Ponchaut NF. Anatomy of the failures that led to the Buncefield explosion and fire. Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center Symposium, College Station, TX, 2009.

Myers T, Ibarreta A, Ashcraft R. Dust explosion prevention: Regulations, standards, and mitigation techniques. Presented at the 43rd AIChE Loss Prevention Symposium, Tampa Bay, FL, April 2009.

Myers T, Ibarreta A. Using fire protection engineering to investigate explosions. Guest speaker presentation at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA, April 2009.

Davis S, Ibarreta A, Kessel A, Ellison A. Flammability of nylon used as insulation in electrical connectors. Proceedings, International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, Cincinnati, OH, 2008.

Myers T, Ibarreta A. Case study of a hydrogen explosion in an electrical panel. Poster presented at the AIChE Loss Prevention Symposium, Spring 2008.

Myers T, Ibarreta A. Explosion investigation: Reverse-engineering a blast scene. Guest speaker presentation at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA, November 2007.

Myers T, Ibarreta A. Investigation of the Jahn Foundry and CTA acoustics dust explosions: Similarities and differences. Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center Symposium, 2007.

Davis S, Ibarreta A, Clevenger J. Flammability of electrical crimp connectors subjected to heating. Proceedings, Fire and Materials 10th International Conference, 2007.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, Wang H. Experimental characterization of premixed spherical ethylene/air flames under sooting conditions. Proceedings, Combustion Institute 2006; 31:1047–1054.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, Wang H. Burning velocities of sooting premixed ethylene/air flames in microgravity. 4th Joint Meeting US Sections of the Combustion Institute, Paper No. F08, Philadelphia, PA, March 2005.

Han B, Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, T’ien JS. Structure of low stretch methane diffusion flames. 4th Joint Meeting US Sections of the Combustion Institute, Paper No. F21, Philadelphia, PA, March 2005.

Han B, Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, T’ien JS. Experimental low stretch gaseous diffusion flames in buoyancy-induced flowfields. Proceedings, Combustion Institute 2004; 30:527–535.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, Hirasawa T, Wang H. Burning velocity measurements of microgravity spherical sooting premixed flames using rainbow schlieren deflectometry. Poster presented at the 30th International Symposium on Combustion, Chicago, IL, July 2004.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ. Temperature measurements in sooting premixed flames using rainbow Schlieren deflectometry. 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Conference, Reno, NV, January 2004.

Han B, Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, T’ien J. A study on buoyancy-induced low stretch gaseous diffusion flames. 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Conference, Reno, NV, January 2004.

Han B, Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, T’ien J. Experimental diagnostics on buoyancy-induced low stretch gaseous diffusion flames. Technical Meeting of Eastern States Sections of the Combustion Institute, University Park, PA, p. 157, October 2003.

Ibarreta A, Sung CJ. Determination of flame location using rainbow schlieren deflectometry. 3rd Joint Meeting of U.S. Sections of the Combustion Institute, Paper No. PI03, Chicago, IL, March 2003.

Han B, Ibarreta A, Sung CJ, T’ien J. On burner-generated low-stretch diffusion flames in natural-convective flows. 3rd Joint Meeting of U.S. Sections of the Combustion Institute, Paper No. PC03, Chicago, IL, March 2003.

Ibarreta A. An experimental and numerical study of the inwardly-propagating premixed flame. Ph.D. thesis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, June 2002.

Ibarreta A, Driscoll JF, Feikema DA. Markstein numbers of negatively-stretched flames—Microgravity measurements and computations. Proceedings, Combustion Institute 2002; 29:1435–1443.

Ibarreta A, Driscoll, J. Effects of negative curvature on the flame structure and burning velocities of laminar premixed flames. 2nd Joint Meeting of US Sections of the Combustion Institute, Oakland, CA, March 2001.

Ibarreta A, Driscoll JF. Measured burning velocities of stretched inwardly propagating premixed flames. Proceedings, Combustion Institute 2000; 28:1783–1791.

• Senior Research Associate at Case Western Reserve University, 2005
• Research Associate at Case Western Reserve University, 2002–2005
• Graduate Student Instructor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2001–2002
• Graduate Student Research Assistant at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1997–2001
• Research Assistant at the University of Maryland, College Park, 1997
  

• National Fire Protection Association:
  — Principal member: Technical Committee on Explosion Protection Systems. Responsible for NFPA 68 Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting and NFPA 69 Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems
• National Association of Fire Investigators (member)
• Massachusetts chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (member)
• The Combustion Institute (member)
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (member)