- Author
-
George, C. W.
|
Blakely, A. D.
- Title
- Effects of Ammonium Sulfate and Ammonium Phosphate on Flammability.
- Coporate
- Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT
- Report
-
USDA Reserch Paper INT-121
April 1972
30 p.
- Keywords
-
ammonium sulfates
|
ammonium phosphates
|
flammability
|
fuel beds
|
combustion
|
wind tunnels
|
fire spread
|
weight loss
|
residues
|
excelsior
- Abstract
- Ponderosa pine needle and aspen excelsior fuel beds, chosen because they exhibit different chemical fuel characteristics, were treated with various amounts of ammonium sulfate and ammonium phosphate and burned in a wind tunnel under controlled environmental conditions. The rate of fire spread, rate of weight loss (equivalent energy release rate), and the residue were measured to quantify the retardants' effects on flammability. An increase in the amount of either fire retardant chemical caused a reduction in rate of fire spread and rate of weight loss while increasing the amount of residue. However, at all treatment levels, ammonium phosphate was more effective than ammonium sulfate. These two chemicals exhibit their primary difference in their effect on glowing combustion. The rate of weight loss and especially the residue are parameters that quantify glowing combustion. The study provides general relationships which can serve as standards for comparing the effects of other basic chemicals or forest fire retardant additives.