Researchers from Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) have shown that it is possible to extinguish fires with the help of gas hydrates – artificial “combustible ice”. The scientists’ work was published in the journal Thermal Science and Engineering Progress.
The main task of the fire extinguishing system is to reduce the temperature, remove oxygen from the combustion zone and prevent the ingress of combustion products. All the necessary components for this are in the composition of the gas hydrate – an inert gas removes oxygen from the combustion zone, and the ice lowers the temperature in the fire and stops the spread of the combustion front, said Pavel Strizhak. researchers, head of the TPU heat and mass transfer laboratory.
In more than 200 experiments, Russian scientists tested the effectiveness of gas hydrates in powder and tablet form as a fire extinguishing agent. The researchers reproduced the four most common ignition conditions – careless handling of fire, violation of heating equipment operating rules, short circuits in electrical networks and local sources of fire – both indoors and outdoors.
They have experienced the combustion of various materials such as wood, kerosene, gasoline, diesel oil, alcohol, crude and refined oil, industrial oils, coal of various grades, coal beneficiation tailings. The gas hydrate was dropped above the combustion source and formed into a barrier strip.
Experts have shown that in order to suppress combustion, an inert gas must be included in the composition of the hydrate. Of the latter, the most optimal in terms of cost and efficiency is freon. Based on the results of their experiments, scientists developed models for suppressing the combustion of various substances and materials, and also began to work on the creation of hydrates with surfactants in their composition. During decay, such a substance not only replaces oxygen and lowers the temperature, but also allows foam to form on the surface of the stove. It blocks oxygen and contributes to the localization of combustion.
Source: Ferra
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