Prevention of a Simulated Aerosol Can Explosion with a Mixture of Halon 1301 and Nitrogen

摘要

This research was conducted to determine if a combination of Halon 1301 and nitrogen gas would prevent an aerosol can explosion. The aerosol can explosion simulation tests were conducted in the Pressure Fire Modeling Facility, at the Federal Aviation Administration William J. Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, New Jersey. The aerosol can explosion simulator, used for the Aircraft Cargo Compartment Minimum Performance Standard, was mounted inside the instrumented pressure vessel that was located in this facility. The Halon 1301 and nitrogen were introduced to the pressure vessel using two different commercial off-the-shelf systems. The Halon 1301 gas was dispensed using a typical 20-pound fire bottle connected to a single nozzle via a 0.5-inch pipe. The nitrogen, used to reduce the oxygen volumetric concentration, was introduced to the pressure vessel via a hose connected to a ground-based inert gas generator. The aerosol can explosion simulator was activated once the desired concentrations of Halon 1301 and oxygen were reached, and it was pressurized at its designed (failure) value. The results showed that a clear benefit existed when Halon 1301 and nitrogen were combined below their inerting concentrations, thus preventing an aerosol can explosion.