Initial fire-suppression reactions of halons, Phase 2 - verification of experimental approach and initial studies. Final report, Jun 88-Apr 89

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990

OSTI ID:5719821

Walters, E A; Nimitz, J S; Tapscott, R E; Brabson, G D; May, J H

The objective of this effort is to evaluate an experimental approach and initiate work to determine the initial chemical reactions occurring when halon firefighting agents extinguish flames. Initial studies using these procedures were also performed. Three techniques were studied to compare their usefulness for determining the concentrations of chemical species in flames: laser Raman spectroscopy, matrix isolation Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoionization mass spectrometry. Laser Raman spectroscopy of hydrogen/oxygen flames extinguished with Halon 1301 provided identification of the principal flames species; however, this method was not effective in detecting minor species present in low concentration. The Raman spectrum of the hydrogen molecule was used to calculate flame temperatures. Matrix isolation experiments were used to characterize the fragmentation patterns of Halons 1211, 2402, and 1301. Of the three techniques, photoionization mass spectrometry was the most promising method for characterizing reactions occurring in flames. It was found that Halon 1211 does react with the free radical H, but the cross section of the overall process is small. No evidence was found for reactions between 0 atoms and either Halon 1211 or 1301. A database of fire suspension literature was developed and incorporated into the nmeri halocarbon data base.

• Research Organization: New Mexico Engineering Research Inst., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5719821
• Report Number(s): AD-A-245096/3/XAB; NMERI-SS--2.08(2); CNN: F29601-87-C-0001
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
DATA PROCESSING
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
FIRE FIGHTING
FLAMES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
LASER SPECTROSCOPY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXIDATION
POLLUTION
POLYMERS
PROCESSING
RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
SPECTROSCOPY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VERIFICATION