- Author
- Walters, E. A. | Nimitz, J. S. | Tapscott, R. E. | Brabson, G. D. | May, J. H. | Clay, J. T., Jr. | Arneberg, D. L. | Wall, M. H. | Beeson, H. D. | Moore, T. A.
- Title
- Initial Fire Suppression Reactions of Halons. Phase 2. Verification of Experimental Approach and Initial Studies. Final Report. June 1988-April 1989.
- Coporate
- New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque
- Sponsor
- Engineering and Services Lab., Tyndall AFB, FL
- Report
- ESL-TR-89-50; SS 2.08(2), September 1990, 84 p.
- Contract
- F29601-87-C-0001
- Keywords
- halons | combustion | spectroscopy | databases | halon 1301 | halon 1211 | halon 2402 | halon 1301 | free radicals
- Identifiers
- laser raman spectroscopy; matrix isolation spectroscopy; photoionization mass spectrometry; halocarbons
- Abstract
- This effort evaluated and verified experimental procedures for the characterization of the reactions and molecular products formed when halons enter flames. Initial studies using these procedures were also preformed. Three techniques were studied to compare their usefulness for determining the concentrations of chemical species in flames: laser Raman spectroscopy, matrix isolation Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoionization mass spectroscopy. Laser Raman spectroscopy of hydrogen/oxygen flames extinguished with Halon 1301 provided identification of the principal flame species; however, this method was not effective in detection minor species present in low concentration. The Raman spectrium of the hydrogen molecule was used to calculate flame temperatures. Matrix isolation experiments were used to characterize the fragmentation patterns of Halons 1211, 2402, and 1301. Of the three techniques, photoionization mass spectrometry was the most promising method for characterizing reactions occurring in flames. It was found that Halon 1211 does react with the free radical H, but the cross section of the overall process is small. No evidence was found for reactions between 0 atoms and either Halon 1211 or 1301. A database of fire suppression literature was developed and incorporated into the NMERI HALOCARBON DATABASE.