Fire Extinguishing Performance Test of the Low Global Warming Potential (GWP) Agents
Abstract
The Army relies on Halon 1301 (bromotrifluoromethane, CF3Br) and two hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) extinguishing agents (HFC-227ea (1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane, CF3CHFCF3) and HFC-125 (pentafluoroethane, CF3CHF2)) to provide fire protection for its ground and aviation weapon systems, equipment, and facilities. These deployed fire suppression agents have global warming potentials (GWP) thousands of times that of carbon dioxide (CO2), which has a defined GWP of one. GWP is a measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere relative to CO2, with the GWP of CO2 standardized at 1. Halon 1301 has a GWP of 7,100, HFC- 227ea has a GWP of 3,200, and HFC-125 has a GWP of 3,500. This means that when compared to an equivalent mass of CO2, Halon 1301 will trap 7,100 times as much heat in the atmosphere. Approximately two million pounds of these chemicals are installed in crew, engine, and auxiliary power unit (APU) compartments and portable extinguishers of Army ground vehicles and aviation weapon systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1079726
Entities
People
- Daniel Kogut
- Joshua Fritsch
- Steve Mccormick
- Tim Helton