Flame Inhibition by Ferrocene, Carbon Dioxide, and Trifluoromethane Blends: Synergistic and Antagonistic Effects (NISTIR 6359)

Published

October 1, 1999

Author(s)

Gregory T. Linteris, M D. Rumminger

Abstract

The production of CF3Br has been banned. As a flame inhibitor, iron pentacarbonyl (Fe(CO)5) is about two orders of magnitude more efficient than CF3Br, but it is flammable and highly toxic, and its addition to premixed flames at mole fractions above a few hundred ppm does not further reduce the burning velocity. Tf other iron compounds can be identified which show the same strong inhibition but are less toxic and don't lose their effectiveness, they may find use in fire suppressants. Ferrocene (Fe(C5H5)2 or Fee) modifies the sooting tendency of flames, is added to materials as a flame retardant and is an antiknock agent. It is far less toxic than Fe(CO)5, and it may produce the same iron-containing intermediates. Here, we present the first measurements of flame inhibition by ferrocene, compare it with Fe(C0)5 and CF3Br, and present data showing how combining it with other compounds can overcome the loss in effectiveness experienced by both it and Fe(CO)5.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 6359

Report Number

6359

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.6359

Keywords

chemical inhibition, ferrocene, flame chemistry, halons, iron pentacarbonyl

Citation

Linteris, G. and Rumminger, M. (1999), Flame Inhibition by Ferrocene, Carbon Dioxide, and Trifluoromethane Blends: Synergistic and Antagonistic Effects (NISTIR 6359), NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.6359 (Accessed April 24, 2024)