Initial Evaluation of a Water Spray Cooling System, in Flammable Liquid Storage Room Fires

摘要

The U.S. Navy has been evaluating Halon replacement agents and technologies for use onboard new construction platforms. After extensive research and development, the Navy selected HFP (heptafluoropropane, HFC-227ea, C3F7H) as the clean Halon replace HFP as do all other hydrofluorocarbons, provides limited compartment cooling and generates very large quantities of toxic and corrosive hydrogen fluoride (HF). The Water Spray Cooling System (WSCS), invented and patented by NRL, was designed to enhance the performance of gaseous total flooding fire suppression agents. The WSCS is a low-pressure overhead water spray system designed to operate at firemain pressure, e.g., 10.2 bar (150 psi). When used in conjunction with HFP, the WSCS expedites compartment reclamation by providing compartment cooling and significantly reducing HF. The WSCS concept was first explored on the ex-USS Shadwell. An evaluation of the WSCS concept was conducted as part of the Flammable Liquid Storeroom (FLSR) halon Replacement Test Program. This report describes the initial work conducted in the 28 cu m (1,000 cu ft) FLSR 1 test compartment. Although the number of tests WSCS conducted was limited, the results clearly demonstrated the advantages provided by the WSCS.