FIRE SUPPRESSION AND INERTION TESTING OF HALON Global Environmental Me - PDF document

FIRE SUPPRESSION AND INERTION TESTING OF HALON Global Environmental Mexico Engineering l), and explosion protection measure (e.g., Halon 1301) will decrease substantially. This presents results hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) flood applications l), which have been tested at laboratory scale, in the NMERI 5/8-scale liquid hydrocarbon flames (Ref. 2). measure the inertion ability selected candidates performance among flammable mixture Table 1. Cupburner And Inemon Results. Extinguishment Propane Methane Concentration Agent Formula mm MSIC SVEq SVEq MSIC SVEq SVEq Cupburner) Gas Gas Vol. Rank Gas Vol. Rank Vel. 96 % 7% 1301 1311 22 22B 1 23 32 116 124 124B1 125 134 134a 142b 15% 218 227ea C318 CBrF3 CF~I CF4 CHClF2 CHBrF2 CHF3 CH2F2 CF3CF3 CHC1FCF-j CF3CHFB3 cHF2m3 cHF2cHF2 CH2FCF3 CClF2CH3 CHF2CH3 CF3CF2CF3 CF3CHFCF3 CqF8 2.9 3.0 13.8 11.6 4.4 12.4 8.8 7.8 8.2 2.8 9.4 1 i.2 10.5 11 .o (calc) 27.0 (Calc) 4.3 1 .o - 4.3 1 .o 9 14.6 19.8 4.85 14.0 3.43 12.0 2.80 8 9.1 2.09 14.7 3.30 13.5 2.68 19.3 4.05 11.2 3.65 8.9 2.82 - 1 13 12 4 16 Not tested 7 9 2 10 Not tested 6 5 3 8 11 14 PFC410 C4F10 9.5 3.48 14 7.8 TESTING Test Auuaratus The explosion the Fenwal 25-cm inch) 304stainless steel hemispheres stainless steel 7930 cubic centimeters (Figure ___. __ TO AC Transducer SECTION - SIDE VIEW Explosion Sphere desired concentration inerting agent the sphere using the pressure method agent, fuel, The loading pressure was measured internal to variable power spark generated overpressure was detected pulse recorded (H-P DAS). Overpressure relief was provided by a 3/4-inch vent disc installed nipple penetrations provided the the fuel, agent, pressure transducer openings, the vacuum Data acquisition as the charging Packard Data Acquisition System monitored the system operation agent, fuel, recorded the pulse data. Test 3-112 inch floppy Tests were conducted at the NMEWCGET Chemistry Laboratory. gases passing cryotrap being released testing, the was turned the computer program loaded, testing was pressure corresponding sea level normal ambient pressure ensure repeatability correction from local atmospheric pressure detennined per test transducer amplifier gain and excitation voltage were measured the upper pipe penetration. were calculated required percentage the sphere displayed sphere internal pressure the desired partial pressure operator added components to required loading pressures After all components were loaded the mixing for one to ensure that the components were completely The internal sphere temperature the desired energy was entered into were charged. push button discharged pressure pulse calculated pressure data from the voltage and pressure stored on a 3-l/2 each test, tests continued at least resulted in was taken overpressure curve passed through occmed. p. with regard ignition spark and data from other research other efforts, replacement agent Screening. After completion the calibration baseline Halon 1301 testing, the process begun. The required inertion burner extinguishment concentration at this the concentration was increased resultant overpressure. Sufficient tests concentration such that the concentration psi could determined. Several brominated and iodinated candidates identified in the expanded were tested preliminary indication w. blend minor 15% of the agent amount, the total several agents exhibited moderate inertion capability cost, availability, toxicity tradeoffs. Agents the sphere minor components. Also, since agents performed better it was these agents to determine their impact Three agents as the major HFC-l34a, 1301, FIC 152a, addition, equal amounts 1311 and HBFC-124B1 to determine combined effect brominated and agents (Table 2). Note that the total agent percentage major and minor component percentage that percentage is a minor component. For example, and the component percentage agent concentration .35% the minor were used, each is INERTION RESULTS Fuel-to-air RatiQ stoichiometric fuelair ratio 94.5 psi. mixture was 93.7 psi. Therefore, while the the same overpressure. air ratios were kept k stoichiometric, consistent Indon Data. Methane Propane Maja MSIC % MSIC Change Minor ofMixture SVEqof Change ofMixture SVEq % Component Component(s) Gas Vol. % Mixture In SVEq GasVol.% ofMixture InSVEq 7.8 2.86 124B1 5.1 1.77 -38 1% 13.5 2.68 124B1 35 10.3 2.05 124B1/13112 9.7 I .96 -27 142b 7.2 1.45 -7 13.3 2.68 0 152a 7.2 1.40 -10 13.8 2.70 0 32 None 17.5 2.18 1311 13.0 1.72 -21 1 Minor blends are 15% of total agent amount except where noted. 2 7.5% 124B1 - 7.5% 1311 for propane. 3 1oo/o concentration of minor agent. 218 -. ~__. m. tests meeting the above 90,7 Joules. The 2.7%, it was confmed that the indicated that stoichiometric fuelplus or Testirlg. tests were propane. Twenty tests were methane and propane for a fuel 4.3%, three agents methane separately as defined as the concentration passed through expanded scope were added the test matrix. Based cup burner suppression concentrations, HBFC-lZ4Bl- though toxicity and included to bromine and current candidates, available for testing during the program, but were not analyzed Results from Where adequate data points Where only one point same slope the major component that point, and the mixm. related to (usually Halon (GVEq). compound has MSICR, then the Gas Volume Equivalent is given by Equation (1). Note that the GVEq gives the increase candidate agent needed phase concentration agent required measure of storage volume inertion capability are for real usage such (WEq) the reference agent. "C" and the "R' molecular weight the Weight Equivalent increases. Thus, lower molecular weight is measured gas volume, WEq. The Storage volume requirements that required reference agent. The storage storage volume requirements. required. Since liquid densities minor components, the molecular weights and liquid densities The value of 4.3% for propane For all agents tested, 14), less agent replacement agents is a between the test equipment and techniques significant differences the MSICs. Several potential explanations current test results results from presented below. Mlxmg. Fenwal loaded fuel from and mixed as the chamber, returning prograni the fan had for either achieve acceptable test aeaning. Fenwal indicated all tests resulting increase, the away residue After all other test program determined the sphere test, and and cleaned test was aborted during .. ~. and Fenwal's. current testing Fenwal connected appmntly current was applied. 11 Joules above the required spark energy. this study to identify explosion protection applications. replacement agent additional storage required above demonstrated that worst case therefore the that will (SvE4) propane presented Those agents tested at larger scale. high hydrogen content agent 32 has the next lowest SvEq at 2.18 followed by HFCs -134 and -134a and HCFC SVEqs Halon 1301 volume basis. However, liquid density has only reported at 'C. increase. Nonetheless, perfonnance of FIC-1311 as well as HBFCs-22B1 and -124B1 make them attractive for potential replacements. If oulne and global if they them with acceptable levels, potential for this iodinated agents SvEq However, only limited number storage obstacles agents from being practical. Also, several concerns exist about CONCLUSIONS AND results obtained from this testing represent scale testing extrapolate results to larger agent chosen for application must able to severe temperature conditions. rapidly dispersed throughout inerted and must have at least minutes. While of the agents tested appear acceptable toxicity, equipment located throughout -134a, and -152a present, taking these agents for a becoming more available, are and toxicity concerns HBFC-124B1 these agents this research and Energy Engineering Research the United Environmental Protection oil and Gas companies. Pope, P.R., Oilfield Fire Protection: the Halon Issue," meedingsPfthe Moore. T. A,. Moore. J. P.. Nimitz. J. S.. Lee, M. E., Beeson, H. D., and TaDscott. R. e on CFC -, Washington, DC, October 1989. 2. -- - ,ESL JL-11 Labaratorv-ScaleWak TR-90-39, Air Force Dalzell, Wmer G., -the of Four Fenwal Report No. PSR-624, Fenwal Incorporated, Ashland MA, January 1977.