Photodegradation of CF3I.
Photodegradation of CF3I.
(833 K)
Nyden, M. R.
NIST SP 890; Volume 1; Section 3; November 1995.
Fire Suppression System Performance of Alternative
Agents in Aircraft Engine and Dry Bay Laboratory
Simulations. Volume 1. Section 3, Gann, R. G.,
Editor(s), 77-95 pp, 1995.
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
Order number: PB96-117775
Keywords:
fire suppression; aircraft engines; nacelle fires;
simulation; experiments; degradation; decomposition;
halon 1301; halon alternatives; lamps; photolysis
Abstract:
CF3I has been identified as a leading candidate for the
replacement of halon fire extinguishing agents because
of its high degree of effectiveness as a flame
suppressant and its short tropospheric lifetime and low
ozone depeletion potential. Although this compound is
known to undergo rapid photolysis in the presence of
sunlight, the byproducts of the photodegradation process
have not been determined. It is also not known whether
this agent will photolyze significantly when it is
exposed to radiation from fluorescent lamps and other
common sources of indoor light. This knowledge is
essential to assess the stability of this agent and the
risk of human exposure to it and its byproducts. The
spectrum of a fluorescent lamp, obtained in this
laboratory, indicates a measurable radiative flux out to
about 310 nm. The observation that this spectrum
overlaps with the absorption spectrum of CF3I suggests
that this agent should undergo appreciable photolysis
when it is exposed to radiation from fluorescent lights.
The objectives of this study are to determine the extent
of this degradation and the nature of the compounds
which are likely to be produced when CF2I is released in
an indoor environment.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899