- Author
-
Linteris, G. T.
|
Chelliah, H. K.
- Title
- Powder-Matrix Systems for Safer Handling and Storage of Suppression Agents.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
University of Virginia, Charlottesville
- Sponsor
- Department of Defense, Washington, DC
- Report
-
NISTIR 6766,
July 2001,
48 p.
- Distribution
- AVAILABLE FROM National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161. Telephone: 1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000; Fax: 703-605-6900; Rush Service (Telephone Orders Only) 800-553-6847; Website: http://www.ntis.gov
- Keywords
-
powders
|
materials handling
|
storage
|
fire suppression
|
absorption
|
particles
|
metals
|
flame extinction
- Identifiers
- absorption tests of Fe(CO)5 into matrix materials; methods of quantifying suppression effects by particulates; complexation of super-effective metals; cup burner flame extinction tests with super-effective chemical inhibitors
- Abstract
- To assess, and if reasonable develop, the capability for absorbing/adsorbing or complexing effective but toxic fire suppression agents in inorganic media. The encapsulated agent can then be safely delivered to the fire where the high temperatures will release the agent. There exist chemicals that are up to two orders of magnitude more effective than CF3Br at reducing the overall reaction rate of some flames. They tend, however, to be organometallic compounds that are highly toxic and flammable. If a means can be developed for absorbing them in inert carriers, their extraordinary effectiveness might be harnessed while rendering them safe to handle and use. Alternatively, there may exist stable compounds that contain the active chemical moiety which can be safely handled and yet will release the active chemical under the appropriate conditions. The challenge in this project was originally perceived to be to find agent/matrix combinations which were stable for storage, but also effective in releasing the active species into the flame region to suppress the fire. In conducting the research for the project, however, we discovered that the flame suppression behavior of previously postulated 'super-effective agents' depends quite strongly upon the type of flame in which the tests are conducted. Hence, the project took a somewhat changed route as we worked to determine the merits of the super agents for more practical flames.