Condensed Aerosol Fire Suppression 2
Condensed Aerosol Fire Suppression 2 : Methods of Fire Extinction: Condensed aerosol suppressants, like gaseous suppressants, use four methods to extinguish fires. They act on the four elements of the "fire tetrahedron," the disparate components that combine to create the chemical reaction underlying any fire. These four means of fire extinction are: Reduction or isolation of fuel; Reduction of heat; Reduction or isolation of oxygen; Inhibiting the chain reaction of the above components. Condensed aerosols' primary extinguishing mechanism involves the fourth element of the fire tetrahedron by means of chemical reactions with the free radicals of the flame, therefore interfering with the combustion process of the fire. Typically, condensed aerosol particulates consist of potassium carbonate (K2CO3)) that are produced from the thermal decomposition of a solid aerosol-forming compound that includes potassium nitrate as an oxidizer. As the aerosol particles surround and come into contact with the flame, the particulates absorb the flame heat energy, breaking down and releasing large concentrations of potassium radicals (K+) (ions with an unpaired electron). The potassium radicals bond with the hydroxide (OH+), hydrogen (H+) and oxygen (O+) free radicals which sustain flame's combustion process, producing harmless by-product molecules such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) and water (H2O). K- + OH- = KOH, KOH + H- = K- + H2O. The potassium radicals are propagated since they are both consumed and produced by reaction with the fire radicals
No records Found