LIQUID METAL FIRE CONTROL, JUNE 15, 1961

Technical Report · Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1961

OSTI ID:4840596

McGrath, T P; VanBrunt, Jr, E E

5 5 < ity of a drain and sump system as a method for controlling burning liquid metal without the use of an extinguishing agent was demonstrated in tests performed with lithium and NaK. The effectiveness of Met-L-X (NaCl plus protective coating agent) in controlling and eventually extinguishing lithium fires on metal floors when the depth of lithium was approximately one-half inch was also demonstrated. A large fraction of the liquid metal discharged on to the drainage system flowed to the sump when the floor and V-troagh were sloped seven degrees. In three tests with lithium during which a flre occurred, 75 to 80% of the burning lithium ran into the sump and extinguished itself. One test was made with floor and V-trough slopes of five and three degrees, respectively. With this configuration the flow of lithium was very poor and no lithium was collected in the sump. In the two NaK tests performed (floor and V-trough sloped seven degrees), 40 and 55% of the NaK ran into the sump where it was extinguished. It was assumed that with flres involving large amounts of liquid metal, even greater percentages of liquid metal would be collected and extinguished provided a nu- nimum floor and V-trough slope of seven degrees was used. One-eighth inch and one-quarter inch thick mild steel floors proved satisfactory for use in the drainage system. The burning liquid metal did not damage the floor and the slight warpage of the plates was not great enough to impede the flow of the liquid metal. Ignition of the liquid metal in air apparently depended to a large degree on the amount of spattering of the metal. More rapid ignition was observed when extensive spattering occurred. The NaK, which produced a greater degree of spattering than the lithium, burned more readily. High temperature insulation (JohnsManville "Superex" and 85 percent magnesin) was comapparently depended to a large degree on the amount of spattering of the metal. More rapid ignition was observed when extensive spattering occurred. The NaK, which produced a greater degree of spattering than the lithium, burned more readily. High temperature insulation (JohnsManville "Superex" and 85 percent magnesia) was completely destroyed when exposed to a stream of 1200F lithium. When lithium or NaK at ambient temperature was mixed with each of the three ambient organic materials, JP-5 jet fuel (MIL-J-5624E), lubricating oil (MIL-L-7808) and monoisopropylbiphenyl (MIPB), the only reaction observed was the very slow formation of gas bubbles on the surface of the NaK as it was added to the JP-5 and lubricating oil. When the organics at 200F were added to the lithium or NaK at ambient temperature the results were essentially the same as in the previous tests with the following exceptions: gas bubbles were formed when MlPB was added to the NaK; also, there was no visible reaction between the lubricating oil and NaK. When organic materials at 200F were added to burning lithium or NaK, typical oil fires resulted on the surfaces of the metals. Various extinguishing agents were applied to these fires to test their effectiveness. Dry Chemical (NaHCO/sub 3/ plus a drying agent to provide a free flowing material) effectively extinguished lithium-JP-5, NaK-JP-5, and NaK-MIPB fires. Dry Chemical was not effective on lithium and NaK lube oil fires, the former because of an apparent lube oillithium reaction, Met-L-X also proved ineffective on a lithium-lube oil fire in the one test made. However, Dry Chemical followed immediately by Met-L-X did extinguish a lithium-lube oil fire. Application of Dry Chemical to burning lithium alone caused the fire to increase in intensity. It was concluded that Dry Chemical should not be used on lithium fires. A test of Dry Chemical on burning NaK was not run. In facilities where both liquid metal and organics and their attendant fire hazards are present at the same time, fire protection systems should be provided

• Research Organization: Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Div., United Aircraft Corp. Connecticut Aircraft Nuclear Engine Lab., Middletown
• DOE Contract Number: AT(11-1)-229
• NSA Number: NSA-15-029545
• OSTI ID: 4840596
• Report Number(s): PWAC-347
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-61
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

HEALTH AND SAFETY
BUBBLES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICALS
COATING
COMBUSTION
CONTROL
GASES
ISOMERS
LIQUID FLOW
LIQUID METALS
LITHIUM
LUBRICATION
MAGNESIUM OXIDES
METALS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLATES
POLYPHENYLS
POTASSIUM ALLOYS
PROPYL RADICALS
SAFETY
SODIUM ALLOYS
SODIUM CHLORIDES
STEELS
SURFACES
TEMPERATURE
TESTING
THERMAL INSULATION
THICKNESS