- Author
- Modiano, S. H. | McNesby, K. L. | Marsh, P. E. | Bolt, W. | Herud, C.
- Title
- Quantitative Measurement by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy of Toxic Gas Production During Inhibition of JP-8 Fires by CF₃Br and C₃F₇H. Final Report. January-June 1995.
- Coporate
- Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Army Aberdeen Test Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
- Report
- ARL-TR-990, March 1996, 19 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- flame extinguishment | toxic gases | FT-IR | JP-8 jet fuel | fuel fires | gas samples
- Identifiers
- toxic gas production
- Abstract
- Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy is used to monitor gases generated during chemical inhibition of JP-8 fuel pool fires burning in air. Gas samples are taken from a location that approximates the position of an individual using a hand-held extinguisher to subdue the fire. These gas samples are flowed through a 10-m path-length, multipass optical cell placed in the sample beam of an FT-IR spectrometer. Gas samples are analyzed before and during application of C₃F₇H (trade name FM200) and CF₃Br (halon 1301) to the fire. It is shown that application of these halogenated hydrocarbons to JP-8 pool fires produces significant quantities of acid gases (HF and HBr) and of CF₂O. A calculation of the concentrations (ppm) of these gases and other gaseous combustion products, based upon observed absorbances, is presented. We believe this is the first quantitative simultaneous measurement of HF, HBr, HCl, and CF₂O production during chemical inhibition of real fires.