Storage and Discharge Characteristics of Halon Alternatives

Published

October 21, 1995

Author(s)

Jiann C. Yang, Thomas G. Cleary, I Vazquez, C I. Boyer, M D. King, B D. Breuel, Marcia L. Huber, L Weber

Abstract

Three important issues regarding the use of halon alternatives for in-flight fire protection applications were studied as part of the current halon alternative research program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): (1) the conditions inside the vessel at different ambient temperatures before discharge, (2) the discharge of the contents into a confined space, and (3) the distribution of the agent/nitrogen mixture in piping systems. The first issue addresses the resultant pressure inside the vessel before discharge. Such information dictates the vessel structural integrity and subsequent discharge behavior of the agent/nitrogen mixture. The second deals specifically with military aircraft dry bay fire protection, and the third concerns general (commercial and military) aircraft engine nacelle fire protection applications. To establish the internal vessel conditions, the effects of fill density, initial nitrogen pressure, and ambient temperature were studied. For the discharge of agent/nitrogen mixture into a confined space, the effects of vessel geometry, initial nitrogen pressure, fill density, initial vessel temperature, discharge mechanism, discharge orientation, and orifice size were examined. For the distribution of agent/nitrogen mixture in piping systems, the effects of initial nitrogen pressure, fill density, initial bottle temperature, and piping geometries (sudden pipe expansion and contraction, different piping diameters, tees, and elbows) on the two-phase flow behavior were explored. Experimental results and model predictions will be presented and discussed for each issue.

Proceedings Title

International CFC and Halon Alternatives Conference and Exhibition

Conference Dates

October 21-23, 1995

Conference Location

Washington, DC

Conference Title

Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

halon alternatives, aircraft fires, dry bays, discharge, halons, pipes, sprays, thermophysical properties

Citation

Yang, J. , Cleary, T. , Vazquez, I. , Boyer, C. , King, M. , Breuel, B. , Huber, M. and Weber, L. (1995), Storage and Discharge Characteristics of Halon Alternatives, International CFC and Halon Alternatives Conference and Exhibition , Washington, DC, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=911576 (Accessed December 5, 2024)