- Author
- Reed, M. D.
- Title
- Evaluation of Bicarbonate Powder Extinguishants in a Counterflow Propane/Air Diffusion Flame.
- Coporate
- Worcester Polytechnic Inst., MA
- Report
- Thesis, December 1997, 109 p.
- Keywords
- powders | diffusion flames | counterflow flames | extinguishment | dry chemicals | extinction | experiments | potassium | sodium bicarbonate
- Abstract
- The purpose of this thesis was to conduct an experimental evaluation of extinguishment by dry chemical fire suppressants. Reported here are propane/air counterflow diffusion flame extinction experiments as a function of strain and added powder concentration, size, and composition for various samples of potassium and sodium bicarbonate. Experiments were performed in propane/air counterflow diffusion flames in a counterflow burner which consists of two 10 mm ID opposed burner tubes. Powder was delivered to the flame in the air flow through the top tube. The powder delivery system consisted of a variable orifice for gross adjustment of the delivery rate and a variable frequency vibration unit to accomplish fine adjustment and to maintain powder flow. Light scattering (90 deg), using a chopped HeNe laser beam and a lock-in amplifier, was used to monitor the amount of powder exiting the air tube and entering the flame. Calibration of the relationship between the scattering signal and the quantity of the powder being delivered to the flame was determined by collecting and weighing the powder as it exited the air tube in the absence of the flame.