Microgravity Testing of Fine Water Mist Fire
Suppression Technology
Colorado School of Mines
The recent ban on the production of Halon 1301, due to its
environmental drawbacks, has prompted an investigation into finding a
suitable fire suppressant replacement. Fine water mists have emerged as a
strong candidate to replace Halon 1301 due to their low toxicity, their low
cost, and their well-known fire suppression abilities. Fundamental
information is needed, however, to understand the exact methods by which
water mist extinguishes a flame. The Colorado School of Mines
undergraduate research team is proposing to further investigate the
properties of water mist fire suppression by conducting microgravity tests
investigating the water mist/flame interaction. Our water mist experiments
consist of varying water droplet sizes and water mist concentrations
applied to flame fronts of different propane/air mixtures. Observations
from these tests will provide information on the change of the laminar
flame speed (SL) in the presence of the water mist. Microgravity provides
ideal conditions to study the water mist/flame front interaction because
the flame front will not experience distortion due to convection caused by
gravity. We are currently constructing a test apparatus, for drop testing
at CSM, which contains the necessary components for generating both a fine
water mist and a contained propane/air combustion. The apparatus will be
assembled according to the guidelines specified in the JSC Reduced Gravity
User's Guide. A full hazard analysis will be performed in order to control
the potential hazards associated with a combustion experiment.
