Evaluating a Heptafluoropropane System With a Water Spray Cooling System for Compartments With Low Flash Point Liquids. Halon Replacement Agent Testing Compartment 1
Abstract
As part of Halon 1301 replacement research, the Navy Technology Center for Safety and Survivability at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has been investigating the use of HFP (heptafluoropropane, HFC-227ea, C(3)F(7)H) as a substitute in US Navy ship compartments. HFP has been shown to readily extinguish fires in a small-sized flammable liquid storage room. In the presence of fire HFP degrades into the extremely hazardous acid gas hydrogen fluoride (HF) in quantities significantly greater than those generated from Halon 1301 extinguished fires. The presence of HF in the room's atmosphere greatly hinders recovery. To counter the HF threat, we evaluated fire suppression via HFP with the NRL- invented Water Spray Cooling System (WSCS) in a 28 m(3) (1,000 ft(3)) simulated shipboard flammable liquid storage room. The objective of this test series was to quantify the benefit of using WSCS in conjunction with an HFP system. The resulting combined fire suppression system readily suppressed a fire while greatly reducing HF concentrations and cooling the compartment. The quantified benefits of WSCS were reduced temperatures, improved reignition protection, and reduced HF levels (by 75%), all allowing for enhanced safe compartment re-entry and recovery.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA418186
Entities
People
- Alexander Maranghides
- Brooke D. Borman
- Philip M. Gunning
- Robert A. Anleitner
- Ronald S. Sheinson
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory