Analysis of the chosen thermal and flammability parameters of dried sewage dust

The hazardous sludge disposal process in the form of landfills requires the determination inter alia of the flammable and explosion properties of dried sewage sludge dust, which has the ability to ignite and spontaneously combust when stored in silos. At a constant furnace surface temperature, the minimum ignition temperature of the sludge dust layer with a layer thickness of 5 mm is 270 °C, and for a layer thickness of 12.5 mm it is 250 °C. Two selected fire extinguishing powders for Class A, B, C and D fires were used in the study to determine the possibility of reducing the susceptibility of dried wastewater to ignition from heated surface, self-ignition and explosion parameters. The most effective extinguishing powder was ABC Favorit, which increased the value of the minimum ignition temperature of the layer (5 mm thick) to 360 °C and the spontaneous ignition temperature of the sludge with this powder increased by 22 °C at 169.6 cm³ in comparison to the sludge without extinguishing powder, respectively. The lowest self-ignition temperature of 136 °C was recorded for the largest tested volume (169.6 cm³) for dried sewage dust without any fire extinguishing powders. The biggest values of p_max and (dp/dt)_max dried sewage dust were recorded 4.8 bar and 113 bar/s respectively. By analysing the obtained test results, it can be assumed that dried sewage dust is a combustible material with properties similar to biomass.     

Improved models of failure time for atmospheric tanks under the coupling effect of multiple pool fires

Fire accidents of chemical installations may cause domino effects in atmospheric tank farms, where a large amount of hazardous substances are stored or processed. Pool fire is a major form of fire accidents, and the thermal radiation from pool fire is the primary hazard of domino accidents. The coupling of multiple pool fires is a realistic and important accident phenomenon that enhances the propagation of domino accidents. However, previous research has mostly focused on the escalation of domino accidents induced by a single pool fire. To overcome the drawback, in this study, the failure of a storage tank under the coupling effect of multiple pool fires was studied in view of spatial and temporal synergistic process. The historical accident statistics indicated that the accident scenario of two-pool fires accounted for 30.6% in pool fires. The domino accident scenario involving three tanks is analyzed, and the typical layout of tanks is isosceles right triangle based on Chinese standard “GB50341-2014”. The thermal response and damage of a target tank heated by pool fires were numerically investigated. The volume of 500 m³, 3000 m³, 5000 m³ and 10000 m³ were selected. Flame temperature was obtained by FDS, and then was input onto the finite element model. The temperature field and stress field of target tanks were simulated by ABAQUS. The results showed that the temperature rise rate of the target tanks under multiple pool fires was higher than that under a single pool fire. The failure time of the tank under the coupling effect of multiple fires was lower than that under the superposition of multiple fires without the first stage. The stress and yield strength were compared to judge the failure of the target tank. The model of failure time for the tank under the coupling effect of pool fires was established. Through the verification, the deviation of this model is 4.02%, which is better than the deviation of 15.76% with Cozzani's model.     

Study into influence of different types of igniters on the explosion parameters of dispersed nitrocellulose powder

Nitrocellulose is a flammable compound produced by cellulose nitration. The nitrocellulose production and handling are associated with a risk of fire and explosion. Nitrocellulose is used as either collodion cotton (<12.5% N) or as an explosive (>12.5% N). Nitrocellulose is a fibrous or powdered substance and may detonate or burn upon certain conditions. The article compares the combustion parameters of dry nitrocellulose in the KV-150M2-UIBE explosion chamber at the concentrations of 250, 500 and 750 g m⁻³. To ignite a nitrocellulose sample, six different types of igniters were used. A commercially available 5 kJ pyrotechnic igniter was used as the standard. Also used were a nitrocellulose igniter, a pyrotechnic igniter with magnesium powder and KNO₃/KClO₃, and an exploding wire (Kanthal and tungsten wire). The examined igniters were found to affect the explosion parameters of dispersed nitrocellulose. The deviation of the explosion constant K_st reached 50% of the standard value. The highest pressure of 12.73 bar g was reached at a concentration of 750 g m⁻³ and an igniter exploding wire with Kanthal wire. The highest K_st value of 287.9 bar.m.s⁻¹ was achieved at a concentration of 750 g m⁻³, when using the pyrotechnic igniter with KClO₃ and magnesium powder.     

A study of the probability distribution of pool fire extinguishing times using water mist

Water mist, a replacement for Halon gaseous agents in fire fighting, has been studied for decades. However, the fire-extinguishing reliability of water mist is debated. For example, there are significant differences in extinguishing times between tests conducted under the same conditions, and water mists have difficulty extinguishing small fires. To date, no study of the probability distribution of extinguishing times has been reported. In this study a statistical analysis of the extinguishing time distribution of pool fires extinguished using water mist is presented. The fire sources were circular/square stainless steel pans with gasoline, diesel, ethanol or daqing RP-3 as fuel. Two types of extinguishing scenarios were observed. In one situation, the fire was extinguished via a blow off process, when the flames had not yet been suppressed. Flame cooling is the primary fire extinguishing mechanism; the mass loss rate and combustion heat of the fuel are two key factors. In the other situation, the fire was initially suppressed and subsequently extinguished after a long suppression stage. Surface cooling is the primary fire extinguishing mechanism; the flash point of the fuel is the key factor.     

超细微粒灭火剂抑制单室火灾的试验研究

通过试验测量燃烧区温度的变化过程,研究了超细微粒灭火剂在单室火灾模型下与4种不同类型火焰的相互作用、灭火时间和效果。结果表明,超细微粒灭火剂具有较好的全淹没灭火能力。当1 000g超细微粒灭火剂施放后,位于微粒灭火剂流动路径上的无遮挡火焰(中央火和角落火)能够被迅速扑灭,灭火时间分别为3.9 s和7.2 s;对于火源功率较小的顶棚火,由于火羽流及热泳力的作用,微粒灭火剂能迅速扩散到顶棚,从而能在短时间内将其扑灭,灭火时间约6.3 s;对于遮挡火,其灭火时间较长,约14.3 s。微粒灭火剂浓度对灭火时间有较大影响。当微粒灭火剂的喷射质量为500 g时,虽然中央火、角落火和遮挡火均能被扑灭,但灭火时间都较喷射1 000 g灭火剂时有较长的延长,灭火时间分别为8.1 s,13.9 s和22.2 s。对于需要灭火剂微粒扩散较远距离后灭火的顶棚火,虽然灭火剂在热羽流和热泳力作用下能扩散到顶棚,但因浓度太低,同时由于其他3处火焰熄灭后,灭火室内的氧气消耗速率降低,从而使顶棚火得到足够的氧气,燃烧反应进一步加强,温度反而逐渐升高,不足以将其熄灭。     

Efficiency characterization of fire extinguishing compound superfine powder containing Mg(OH)2

To improve the fire extinguishing efficiency of existing dry powders, a new type of superfine dry powder was prepared using magnesium hydroxide as an additive. In our study, a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to analyze the thermal decomposition of the synthesized powders. The temperature of thermal decomposition, weight loss, and other thermodynamic parameters of the fire extinguishing powders were analyzed to explain the performance advantages of the compound superfine powder. Through a small-scale fire experiment, the physical parameters of the extinguishing process—such as extinguish time, powder dosage, smoke concentration, and minimum extinguishing concentration—were quantified for the suppression of a diesel fire using the different powders; these parameters were used to evaluate the fire extinguishing capacity and toxic gas suppression ability of the powders. TGA demonstrated that the compound superfine powder decomposed more quickly and its thermal decomposition process was much shorter than those of the other powders. The DSC data indicated that the compound superfine powder could decrease the characteristic temperature at each stage and thus the powder absorbed the flame's heat more quickly and suppressed flame propagation. The fire extinguishing test demonstrated that the consumption of the three types of fire extinguishing powder decreased with an increase in the driving pressure, and the order of powder dosage was as follows: commercial dry powder > superfine powder > compound superfine powder. Similarly, the order of minimum extinguishing concentration was as follows: commercial dry powder > superfine powder > compound superfine powder. Furthermore, the compound superfine powder exhibited a greater capacity for controlling toxic and harmful gas emissions.     

Study on accidental fire at a large-scale floating-roof gasoline storage tank

For an accident involving a large-scale internal floating-roof tank with 28.4 m diameter and filled with 4600 m³ gasoline, the actual behavior of the gasoline fire and the fire-fighting strategies that were applied to it were analyzed in terms of the heat release rate, burning rate, and regression rate. During the accident, the initial fire suppression strategy failed and the gasoline was moved to an external tank. A total of 2800 m³ gasoline was burned for 17 h with a resulting heat release rate of 1475 MW. The long duration of the fire burning was attributed to the burning surface of the gasoline, which was not covered with foam at the beginning of the fire using the active foam fire-extinguishing system due to damage to one of the foam chambers. The average regression rate of the gasoline was 0.16 m/h after 8 h of burning and 0.35 m/h when the fire was completely suppressed.     

Configuration predictions of large liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pool fires using CFD method

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has potential pool fire risks due to its flammability. The configuration of pool fires plays a significant role when applying the solid flame model or point source model to assess the risks from heat radiation. However, no existing correlations can precisely predict the configuration of large LPG (100% propane) pool fires. To enhance the fundamental understanding on how pool diameter and wind velocity can influence the configuration of large LPG pool fires, an experimentally validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is employed to simulate fires using different burning rate models. Fire temperature profiles, flame heights, and flame tilts predicted by the CFD model were compared with empirical models and experimental data. Accordingly, new correlations for flame height and flame tilt as functions of pool diameter D and wind velocity u_w have been developed. The comparisons demonstrate that the new correlations have the best overall accuracy in the prediction of flame height and tilt for large LPG pool fires under different conditions (10 m ≤ D ≤ 20 m, 0 ≤ u_w ≤ 3 m·s⁻¹).     

压缩空气泡沫扑救大型油类火灾全尺寸实验研究*

为验证压缩空气泡沫扑救大型火灾的有效性,分别开展225 m2甲醇和450 m2重油油池火灭火实验,采用压缩空气泡沫系统搭配消防机器人远距离喷射压缩空气泡沫的灭火方法,分析该方法的灭火效能。研究结果表明:压缩空气泡沫系统可以实现远距离灭火,压缩空气泡沫的施加可以有效降低油池内燃料温度、火场温度以及油池附近热辐射强度。在压缩空气泡沫系统混合液流量为3 900 L/min时,距离油池边缘29 m条件下扑救450 m2全尺寸重油火灾的灭火时间为130 s,灭火阶段水和3%泡沫液的消耗量分别为8 233 L和273 L;在压缩空气泡沫系统混合液流量为3 600 L/min时,距离油池边缘不小于35 m条件下扑救225 m2全尺寸甲醇火灾的灭火时间为231 s,灭火阶段水和6%泡沫液的消耗量分别为12 962 L和808 L。研究结果对提升扑救大型油池火灾的作战能力具有重要意义。     

MIE determination and thermal degradation study of PA12 polymer powder used for laser sintering

Pulverized materials such as metallic or polymer powders play a considerable role in many industrial processes. Their use requires the introduction of preventive safeguards to control the plant's safety.PA12 polymer powder processing by laser sintering is characteristic of this tendency. The present work concerns PA12 powder (bimodal particle size distribution: 10 μm and 55 μm) and relates to explosion sensitivity and the thermal degradation of this powder, which can occur during laser sintering. Minimum Ignition Energy is determined using a modified Hartmann tube combined with the Langlie method developed in the PRISME Laboratory. This study shows the influence of parameters such as distance between the electrodes, powder concentration and arc power on MIE values. Theses parameters vary in the range of 3–6 A for the current intensity of the spark and the electrode gap in the range of 2.5–4 mm. The MIE is obtained for a spark gap of 3 mm and current intensity of the 4 A spark in our device. It shows that the MIE is less than 40 mJ for concentrations approaching 1000 g/m³. At lower concentrations (under 150 g/m³) the MIE increases but discrepancies in measurements appear, probably because of the static electricity that creates strong irregularities in dust dispersion. The second part of this study concerns the thermal degradation of the PA12 which is performed by thermogravimetric experiments coupled with mass spectrometric (MS) analysis for gas investigation. The mass loss measurement combined with the gas analysis allows the principal stages of degradation to be determined so as to calculate the kinetics parameter PA12. Experiments have been performed for different heating rates between 1 and 30 K min^?1 and the reproducibility of experiments has been verified. The activation energy is determined using two methods: Freidman and KAS. For a reaction rate of between 0.2 and 0.6, the activation energy is nearly constant. The KAS method gives a value of E_a = 250 kJ mol^?1 and the Friedman method gives E_a = 300 kJ mol^?1. The gas analysis by MS shows that oxidation begins at over 350 °C and finishes at under 650 °C with the formation of CO₂ and H₂O. Other major peaks with an m/z ratio of 29, 28 and 30 are noticed in this range of temperature. They show the presence of intermediate species such as C₂H₆, NO or CH₂O. The presence of HCN is also detected (m/z ratio of 27).     

超细粉体灭火装置在电火花成形机床的应用

为了评估超细粉体灭火装置用于电火花成形机床的技术可行性,通过全尺度灭火实验研究与计算分析,研究超细粉体灭火装置对电火花成形机床火灾的灭火有效性,进一步提出适宜的灭火应用方式和灭火剂设计用量计算方法。结果表明,超细粉体灭火装置可迅速、有效扑灭电火花成形机火灾,超细粉体灭火剂的最低灭火用量为90g,装置响应时间为7～24s,灭火时间为1～4s;基于顶部敞口设计模式的电火花成形机床不符合全淹没灭火应用条件,应采用局部灭火应用方式;根据局部应用灭火系统体积法设计方法,提出了超细粉体灭火装置用于电火花成形机床时的灭火剂设计用量计算方法。该研究有助于超细粉体灭火装置的工程设计,对电火花成形机床的火灾防护具有重要意义。     

不同聚合度的聚磷酸铵灭火性能研究*

为考察聚磷酸铵（APP）干粉灭火剂的聚合度对其灭火性能的影响,选用3种不同聚合度的APP,结合其晶体结构、粒度分布及热性能测试,并通过粉体杯式燃烧器进行小尺寸灭火实验,对比3种样品的灭火性能及灭火机理,研究聚合度与其灭火性能的关系。热性能测试结果显示,聚合度的升高会导致APP的热稳定性下降,随着聚合度从80升至1 500,其初始分解温度从326.11 ℃降低至321.54 ℃,失重率从75.21%增加至79.66%。实验结果表明:随着APP聚合度的增加,火焰降温速率升高,最小灭火浓度（MEC）降低,灭火性能增强,当聚合度为1 500时,MEC为118.143 g/m3。聚合度的升高有助于APP在进入火场后更早、更充分地与火焰发生反应,从而使灭火性能得到提升。     

含F-500的低压细水雾抑制B类火灾的实验研究

通过全尺寸实验研究低压细水雾对抑制和熄灭B类火灾的有效性。分别使用圆形和方形油盘,以汽油和柴油为燃料进行低压细水雾灭火实验,并进一步研究含微胶囊F-500添加剂的细水雾灭火效果。结果表明,低压细水雾对抑制和熄灭B类火具有一定的有效性,但容易出现灭大火容易灭小火难的现象,并且对于"角落火"难以扑灭。而添加了微胶囊F-500的低压细水雾,灭火效率较纯水细水雾提高约3～5倍,能有效扑灭死角火,同时提高火场能见度。分别用1%、3%、6%的F-500溶液作为灭火介质,实验表明,不同浓度的F-500溶液具有不同的灭火效果。综合考虑经济性和有效性因素:对于大多数B类火灾场合,F-500溶液的最佳配比为1%;对于危险性大或火灾荷载大的场合,微胶囊F-500水溶液的最佳配比为3%。     

Explosion characteristics of micron- and nano-size magnesium powders

Explosion characteristics of micron- and nano-size magnesium powders were determined using CSIR-CBRI 20-L Sphere, Hartmann apparatus and Godbert-Greenwald furnace to study influence of particle size reduction to nano-range on these. The explosion parameters investigated are: maximum explosion pressure (P_max), maximum rate of pressure-rise (dP/dt)_max, dust explosibility index (K_St), minimum explosible concentration (MEC), minimum ignition energy (MIE), minimum ignition temperature (MIT), limiting oxygen concentration (LOC) and effect of reduced oxygen level on explosion severity. Magnesium particle sizes are: 125, 74, 38, 22, 10 and 1 μm; and 400, 200, 150, 100, 50 and 30 nm. Experimental results indicate significant increase in explosion severity (P_max: 7–14 bar, K_St: 98–510 bar·m/s) as particle size decreases from 125 to 1 μm, it is maximum for 400 nm (P_max: 14.6 bar, K_St: 528 bar·m/s) and decreases with further decrease of particle size to nano-range 200–30 nm (P_max: 12.4–9.4 bar, K_St: 460–262 bar·m/s) as it is affected by agglomeration of nano-particles. MEC decreases from 160 to 30 g/m³ on decreasing particle size from 125 to 1 μm, its value is 30 g/m³ for 400 and 200 nm and 20 g/m³ for further decrease in nano-range (150–30 nm). MIE reduces from 120 to 2 mJ on decreasing the particle size from 125 to 1 μm, its value is 1 mJ for 400, 200, 150 nm size and <1 mJ for 50 and 30 nm. Minimum ignition temperature is 600 °C for 125 μm magnesium, it varies between 570 and 450 °C for sizes 38–1 μm and 400–350 °C for size range 400–30 nm. Magnesium powders in nano-range (30–200 nm) explode less violently than micron-range powder. However, likelihood of explosion increases significantly for nano-range magnesium. LOC is 5% for magnesium size range 125–38 μm, 4% for 22–1 μm, 3% for 400 nm, 4% for 200, 150 and 100 nm, and 5% for 50 and 30 nm. Reduction in oxygen levels to 9% results in decrease in P_max and K_St by a factor of 2–3 and 4–5, respectively, for micron as well as nano-sizes. The experimental data presented will be useful for industries producing or handling similar size range micron- and nano-magnesium in order to evaluate explosibility of their magnesium powders and propose/design adequate safety measures.     

Application of fire suppression materials on suppression of LNG pool fires

An LNG pool fire is considered one of the main hazards of LNG, together with LNG vapor dispersion. Suppression methods are designed to reduce the hazard exclusion zones, distance to reach radiant heat of 5 kW/m², when an LNG pool fire is considered. For LNG vapor dispersion, the hazard exclusion zone is the distance travelled by the LNG vapor to reach a concentration of 2.5% v/v (half of the LNG lower flammability limit).Warming the LNG vapor to reach positive buoyancy faster is one way to suppress LNG vapor dispersion and reduce evaporation rate (thus fire size and its associated radiant heat) and that is the main objective in LNG pool fire suppression. Based on previous research, the use of high expansion foam has been regarded as the primary method in suppressing LNG pool fires. However, in 1980, another method was introduced as an alternative pool fire suppression system, Foamglas^®. The research concluded that 90% of the radiant heat was successfully reduced. Currently-called Foamglas^® pool fire suppression (Foamglas^® PFS) is a passive mitigation system and is deployed after the leak occurs. Foamglas^® PFS is non-flammable, and has a density one-third of the density of LNG, thus floats when an LNG pool is formed.This paper describes the study and confirmation of Foamglas^®PFS effectiveness in suppressing LNG pool fires. In addition, while Foamglas^® PFS is not expected to suppress LNG vapor dispersion, further investigation was conducted to study the effect of Foamglas^®PFS on LNG vapor dispersion. An LNG field experiment was conducted at Brayton Fire Field. The experimental development, procedures, results and findings are detailed in this paper.     

Effects of high ammonia loads on nitrogen mass balance and treatment performance of a biotrickling filter

A biotrickling filter packed with coal slag as packing medium was continuously used for more than 9 months under high ammonia loading rates of up to 140 g/m³/h. Nitrogen mass balance and microbial community analysis were conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effects of high ammonia concentration and metabolic by-products on the rates of nitrification. Ammonia removal efficiency reached above 99% at an empty bed retention time of as low as 8 s when inlet concentrations were below 350 ppm. The maximum and critical elimination capacities of the biotrickling filter were 118 g/m³/h and 108.1 g/m³/h, respectively. Kinetics analysis results showed that less than 2.5 s was required for the biotrickling filter with pH control to treat ammonia at concentrations of up to 500 ppm in compliance with the Taiwan EPA standard (outlet NH₃ < 1 ppm). Results of mass balance and microbial community analysis indicated that complete removal was mainly contributed by the activities of autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria and not by physical absorption or adsorption at low loading rates. However, at high inlet loadings, ammonium became the dominant by-product due to inhibitory effects of high ammonia concentration on the bacterial community.     

Development of a 3D risk analysis technique for fire disaster and its application on accident simulation of a public site

In this research, we constructed a three-dimensional fire risk analysis technique (3D-FRAT) for common building fires. To demonstrate its effect, the 3D-FRAT employed a self-developed 3D risk-calculating module in combination with the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) software to simulate the Welcome Restaurant accident that happened on February 15, 1995 in Taichung City, Taiwan. This study only focuses on thermal radiation and provide a preliminary method to quantify a fire risk. Different firefighting equipment that comply with the related building and fire-preventive regulations have been used in the simulations to test their mitigating effectiveness on the accident. The results were shown by animation, 3D pictures, and sliced pictures to facilitate the researchers’ understanding of human hazards caused by thermal radiation or smoke in a specific fire accident. The minimal personnel escaping times for different hazardous factors were estimated; various firefighting designs that can reduce loss of human life and property were also perused. According to the simulation results, the individual risk values in Welcome Restaurant were between 3.108 × 10⁻⁹ to 2.719 × 10⁻⁵ (deaths/year). It is foreseeable that the 3D-FRAT can become a useful tool for related organizations to choose better fire-resistant buildings or fire-fighting equipment in the future.     

气-固复合粉体在高原地区灭火性能的试验研究

为满足高原地区低压低氧环境对火灾防治的特殊需求,在拉萨进行模拟试验,研究由溴氟丙烯和13X沸石所组成的气-固复合粉体灭火剂对汽油火的灭火性能,并与平原地区的合肥的灭火效果进行对比。试验结果表明,在拉萨低压低氧的环境下,复合粉体灭火剂对汽油火具有很好的灭火性能。在同样的试验条件下,其灭火时间和灭火剂用量比合肥减少20%以上,说明该复合粉体灭火剂在高原地区有很好的适用性。     

Experimental investigation of the lower flammability limit of volatile liquid fuel-aluminum powder mixtures in air

Aluminum powder was always chosen as an additive to improve the explosive performance. In this work, experiments were performed to investigate the lower flammability limit (LFL) of volatile liquid fuel-aluminum powder mixtures using a 20 L closed spherical stainless steel vessel at a temperature of 20 °C (293 K) and 40 °C (313 K). The volatile liquid fuels tested in the work were diethyl ether (DEE), epoxypropane (PO), n-pentane and n-hexane. DEE, PO and n-pentane are in the liquid phase at room temperature and can easily transition to the gas phase at 40 °C (313 K). Through a series of experiments carried out, it was found that the change in phase would affect the interaction between the components. Aluminum powder always has an inhibitory effect on the flammability of the mixtures when it is mixed with gas-phase fuels. The inhibition effect was most obvious when the aluminum powder concentration reached 200 g/m³. While the interaction between aluminum powder and liquid-phase volatile fuels was promotion and was influenced by the component proportion and the type of the volatile fuels.     

Extinguishing pool fires with aqueous ferrocene dispersions containing gemini surfactants

The objective of the present study was to explore the relationship between the dispersibility and fire-extinguishing capability of aqueous ferrocene dispersions containing gemini surfactants belonging to the same series, namely, olfin E1020, olfin PD 201, and surfynol 465. In this study, the dispersibility and ability to suppress pool fires were characterized by turbidity and extinguishing time, respectively. Ultrasonication enabled easy preparation of the aqueous dispersions of ferrocene powder containing the gemini surfactants. Visual observations and turbidity measurements clearly demonstrated that the order of dispersibility was as follows: ferrocene dispersion containing surfynol 465 ≥ ferrocene dispersion containing olfin E1020 > ferrocene dispersion containing olfin PD201. Fire suppression experiments indicated that the ferrocene diameter, in the ferrocene diameter range of 10.4–21.5 μm, negligibly influenced the extinguishing time. Furthermore, for the same ferrocene samples as were used for the turbidity measurements, the order of extinguishing ability was as follows: ferrocene dispersion containing surfynol 465 > ferrocene dispersion containing olfin E1020 > ferrocene dispersion containing olfin PD201; thus, the extinguishing ability was identical to the dispersibility order.