Flame Inhibition by Ferrocene, Carbon Dioxide, and Trifluoromethane Blends: Synergistic and Antagonistic Effects.
Flame Inhibition by Ferrocene, Carbon Dioxide, and
Trifluoromethane Blends: Synergistic and Antagonistic
Effects.
(226 K)
Linteris, G. T.; Rumminger, M. D.
NISTIR 6359; 5 p. October 1999.
Chemical and Physical Processes in Combustion.
Combustion Institute/Eastern States Section.
Proceedings. October 11-13, 1999, Raleigh, NC, 1999.
Available from:
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Order number: PB2000-100883
Keywords:
chemical inhibition; ferrocene; flame chemistry; halons;
iron pentacarbonyl
Abstract:
The production of CF3Br has been banned. As a flame
inhibitor, iron pentacarbonyl (Fe(CO)5) is about two
orders of magnitude more efficient than CF3Br, but it is
flammable and highly toxic, and its addition to premixed
flames at mole fractions above a few hundred ppm does
not further reduce the burning velocity. Tf other iron
compounds can be identified which show the same strong
inhibition but are less toxic and don't lose their
effectiveness, they may find use in fire suppressants.
Ferrocene (Fe(C5H5)2 or Fee) modifies the sooting
tendency of flames, is added to materials as a flame
retardant and is an antiknock agent. It is far less
toxic than Fe(CO)5, and it may produce the same
iron-containing intermediates. Here, we present the
first measurements of flame inhibition by ferrocene,
compare it with Fe(C0)5 and CF3Br, and present data
showing how combining it with other compounds can
overcome the loss in effectiveness experienced by both
it and Fe(CO)5.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899