Approving less flammable hydraulic fluids
- Factory Mutual Research Corp. Norwood, MA (United States)
This presentation will summarize the development of an improved testing methodology to quantify the spray flammability of hydraulic fluids. Factory Mutual Research Corp. (FMRC) operates a product certification service (Approval in FMRC terminology). The approval of hydraulic fluids as less flammable has depended on the methodology described in the current Approval Standard, which dates back to 1975. This methodology, empirically derived as an attempt to simulate the interaction of a fluid spray with potential ignition sources, has allowed the approval of dozens of fluids. However, the inherent variability of the procedure allows for the possibility of improperly passing (or failing) a fluid. In an attempt to address the shortcomings of the existing methodology, a new protocol has been developed, taking advantage of advances in the knowledge of combustion phenomena. In this new method, a spray flammability parameter (SFP) has been defined, which combines the chemical heat generation rate from a spray fire of fluid and its volatility in terms of a critical heat flux for ignition. The value of SFP is expected to be an indicator of burning rate (or flame propagation rate). It has been found that fluids having SFP >20 [times] 10[sup 4] are easier to stabilize as a spray flame than are those having a lower SFP. SFP appears to be useful in discriminating between flammable and less flammable fluids. The new test method has been incorporating in a proposed revised draft of the Approval Standard.
- OSTI ID:
- 6828387
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9309280--
- Journal Information:
- Iron and Steel Engineer; (United States), Journal Name: Iron and Steel Engineer; (United States) Vol. 70:7; ISSN IRSEA5; ISSN 0021-1559
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ATOMIZATION
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
COMBUSTION KINETICS
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
ENTHALPY
FLAMMABILITY
FLUIDS
HYDRAULIC FLUIDS
KINETICS
MATERIALS TESTING
MEASURING METHODS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REACTION HEAT
REACTION KINETICS
SPRAYS
TESTING
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
WORKING FLUIDS