- Author
- Bertschy, A. W. | Moran, H. E. | Turve, R. L.
- Title
- Lithium Chloride Solution for Fire Extinguishers Exposed to Low Temperatures.
- Coporate
- Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC
- Report
- NRL Report 4853, October 19, 1956, 14 p.
- Keywords
- fire extinguishers | lithium chlorides | low temperature | fire tests
- Abstract
- The use of a 24 percent aqueous solution of lithium chloride for fire extinguishing purposes in low-temperature areas has been investigated. Tests indicate that it can be effectively applied at temperatures down to -54 deg C (-65 deg F). At this temperature the solution is sufficiently fluid (viscosity at -54 deg C is 70.4 centistokes) to be expelled from a pressurized fire extinguisher. The eutectic is formed at -75.9 degC and consists of a 25 percent solution of lithium chloride. At -54 deg C a liquid phase of the salt in water exists between concentrations of 22 and 32 percent. Laboratory corrosion tests conducted on a group of common metal test strips indicated that stainless steel is the least affected by the lithium chloride solution when inhibited with sodium chromate. The solid and liquid forms of lithium chloride do not introduce any acute toxicological problems.