Advanced Agent Identification and Preliminary Assessment.
Abstract
In 1993, production of halon fire and explosion protection agents was phased and to date, no Halon 1301 substitute has been identified to provide total-flood protection against fires and explosions in normally occupied areas without major changes in system hardware. The objective of this study was to assess the probability of success and to determine the most promising directions for development of new chemical alternatives to Halon 1301. The Advanced Agent Working Group, a military/industry user's group, was formed and a research program initiated to review technology on fire and explosion suppression and chemical families; to select and analyze chemicals and chemical families for use as Halon 1301 replacements; to assess the potential of the identified chemicals; and to determine prospects for a Halon 1301 replacement. The most promising non-halocarbon compounds are the phosphorus compounds (particularly phosphorus nitrides), bromine-substituted silicon and siloxane compounds, and transition metal compounds. A number of these non-halocarbon materials are solids or high boiling point liquids; however, many of these appear to have sufficiently high vapor pressures that they could volatilize completely. Carriers such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) may be necessary in some cases.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA326437
Entities
People
- Everett W. Heinonen
- G. D. Brabson
- Robert E. Tapscott