Long-term fire retardant with an organophosphate and methods for making and using same

摘要

A forest fire retardant composition is substantially free of ammonium and includes an organophosphate derived from (i) a phosphorylation agent and (ii) an organic molecule comprising at least two hydroxyl groups. The organophosphate may contain at least one phosphate ester bonded to an organic molecule, wherein the organic molecule comprises at least one monomer unit of about 2 to 40 carbon atoms. Preferably, at least 90% of the functional groups of the organophosphate is a phosphate ester group. The composition may also include a salt, including magnesium salt and/or calcium salt. The anion in the salt may be hydroxide, carbonate or phosphate. The salt may be an anhydrous salt, a salt hydrate, or a combination of both. The composition is effective in suppressing, retarding, and controlling forest fires while exhibiting corrosion resistance and low toxicity.