SPRAY IGNITION TESTING OF HYDRAULIC FLUIDS - OPTIONS AND UNCERTAINTIES

摘要

Spray ignition testing is widely recognised as an important part of the assessment of the fire-resistance of a hydraulic fluid. It attempts to simulate the behaviour of a fluid escaping under pressure from a line in the vicinity of an ignition source. Various methods have been developed over the years that have used different test conditions in terms of fluid pressures and temperatures, orifice sizes and shapes and ignition sources. The methods have also differed in terms of the parameters used to define 'fire-resistance', making comparisons between methods difficult. In some cases the ranking of fluids is at odds with other methods for assessing fire-resistance leading to user uncertainty in the choice of appropriate fluids. The purpose of this paper is to examine the methods currently used and identify the most suitable procedures for future standardization and use.