- Author
- Brabson, G. D. | Tapscott, R. E. | Morehouse, E. T.
- Title
- Initial Fire Suppression Reactions of Halons. Phase 1. Development of Experimental Approach. Final Report. March 1988-June 1988.
- Coporate
- New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque
- Sponsor
- Air Force Engineering and Services Center, Tnydall AFB, FL
- Report
- ESL-TR-89-50; WA3-67(3.36), September 1991, 67 p.
- Contract
- F29601-C-87-0001
- Keywords
- halons | fire suppression | flame extinguishment | spectroscopy | FT-IR | fire extinguishing agents | flame research | free radicals | carbides
- Identifiers
- photoionization; flame suppression
- Abstract
- The objective of this effort was to develop an experimental approach for identificaiton and characterization of the first reactions occurring when halon fire extinguishing agents enter flames. This report reviews technologies available for measurement of flame temperatures and concentrtions of chemical species in flames. Methods reviewed for measurement of flame temperatures include use of thermocouples, laser Raman and coherent Anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) spectroscopy, and silicon carbide filaments with optical monitoring. Methods assessed for applicability to measurement of concentratons of chemical species in flames include laser Raman spectroscopy, isolation of fragments and products on a frozen argon matrix followed by analysis by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoionization followed by mass spectrometry. An experimental approach for studying reactions of halons in flames is developed. This approach consists of four elements: (1) construction of an information database, (2) an investigation of the relative importance of physical and chemical processes in halon fire extinguishment, (3) development of flame extinguishment diagnostics and characterization, and (4) time-dependent studies of free-radical reactions.