Comparison of the Fire Suppression Effectiveness of Sodium Bicarbonate Particles and Fine-Water Droplets in Non-Premixed and Premixed Flames.
Comparison of the Fire Suppression Effectiveness of
Sodium Bicarbonate Particles and Fine-Water Droplets in
Non-Premixed and Premixed Flames.
(113 K)
Chelliah, H. K.; Lazzarini, A. K.; Wanigarathne, P. C.;
Linteris, G. T.
Halon Options Technical Working Conference. Proceedings.
HOTWC 2001. Sponsored by: University of New Mexico,
Fire Suppression Systems Assoc., Fire and Safety Group,
GlobeTech, Inc., Halon Alternative Research Corp.,
Hughes Associates, Inc., Kidde, plc., Modular
Protection, Corp., Next Generation Fire Suppression
Technology Program, Sandia National Laboratories, Summit
Environmental Corp., Inc. and 3M Specialty Materials.
April 24-26, 2001, Albuquerque, NM, Daniels, B. L.;
Cole, D. G., Editor(s)(s), 389-394 pp, 2001.
Available from:
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Website:
http://nmeri.unm.edu/cget/confinfo.htm
Keywords:
halon alternatives; fire suppression; effectiveness;
sodium bicarbonate; particles; fine water; droplets;
premixed flames; flame inhibition; water mist;
counterflow diffusion flames; halons
Abstract:
Two laboratory-scale experimental configurations are
used to investigate the fire suppression effective-ness
of condensed phase agents, e.g., fine-water droplets
(with and without chemical additives) and sodium
bicarbonate dry powder. The two flame configurations
considered are premixed and non-premixed flame, which
encompass most real world fires (except for the
turbulence effects). With appropriate scaling
relationships that take into account the structural
features of the two types of flames, the flame
inhibition results with condensed-phase agents indicate
a similar trend. The observed differences between the
two types of flames can be attributed to flow field
involved in the two flames. The major implication of
these observed differences is that extension of
laboratory-scale flame inhibition results with
condensed-phase agents to real world applications must
be pursued carefully.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899