Research on Fire-Resistant Diesel Fuel Flammability Mitigation Mechanisms
Abstract
The development of aqueous fire-resistant diesel fuel (FRF) microemulsions has been reported previously. Flammability and ballistic tests reveal diminished mist flammability, and such tests demonstrate rapid self- extinguishment of pool fires even at temperatures above the base fuel flash point. A basic study has been conducted to develop an improved understanding of the mechanisms by which such self-extinction occurs. An ignition-limits apparatus was developed, utilizing an evacuatable autoclave at one atmosphere. Measurements made with diesel fuel vapor in air, diluted with various amounts of water vapor, established that such mixtures containing more than about 24 mole% water vapor cannot burn. Vapor pressure measurements, made in a modification of the same apparatus, confirmed that FRF systems containing 10 vol% water and 6 vol% surfactant are blanketed by equilibrium vapors containing at least 24 mole% water for liquid temperatures greater than about 70 C. The flash points of diesel fuel FRF blends containing 10% water are about the same as those of the base fuel when its flash point is less than about 70 C. When the base fuel flash point exceeds 70 C, no flash point is detectable for the FRF.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA130743
Entities
People
- David W. Naegeli
- W. D. Weatherford Jr.
Organizations
- Southwest Research Institute