Agent Stability Under Storage and Discharge Residue.
Agent Stability Under Storage and Discharge Residue.
(989 K)
Peacock, R. D.; Cleary, T. G.; Harris, R. H., Jr.
NIST SP 861; April 1994.
Evaluation of Alternative In-Flight Fire Suppressants
for Full-Scale Testing in Simulated Aircraft Engine
Nacelles and Dry Bays. Section 6, Grosshandler, W. L.;
Gann, R. G.; Pitts, W. M., Editor(s)(s), 643-668 pp,
1994.
Available from:
Government Printing Office
Order number: SN003-003-03268-9
Keywords:
halons; residues; stability; storage; metals;
experiments; halon 1301; infrared spectroscopy
Abstract:
Halon 1301 is known to be stable in metal containers for
many years. Any by-products do not affect its fire
suppression effectiveness or result in an unacceptable
residue. For candidate replacement chemicals,
comparable data are needed, reflecting the storage
conditions of elevated temperature and pressure.
Significant losses in fire suppression effectiveness and
increases in toxicity are possible if the extinguishing
agent degrades during storage. Thus, stability during
the multi-year storage environment is an important
concern. In this project, samples of each of the 12
candidate agents were evaluated in pressurized
cylinders. It was presumed that NaHCO3 is stable under
the likely storage temperatures and pressures. In order
to allow for potential interactions analogous to actual
storage conditions, a measured amount of metal (with
separate tests for each candidate cylinder metal) was
introduced into the containers prior to the experiments.
The vessel and its contents were stored in an oven at
elevated temperature for 28 days. After cooling to
ambient conditions, an infrared spectrum of the aged
sample was compared to a spectrum of the original
sample. Degradation of the sample would be indicated by
a systematic decrease in the absorbance of peaks
attributable to the agent and/or the appearance of new
peaks in the IR spectrum of the aged agent.
