Foams for fire fighting

Progress in the understanding of such films initiated the use in modem film formation processes and the preparation of fluoroprotein and universal foams for fire fighting [22a, 22d, 178bj. In practice, to attain better effects and economy, both fluorinated and hydrocarbon surfactants are used as binary, ternary or more complex synergistic mixtures. 

Foams have a wide variety of appHcations that exploit their different physical properties. The low density, or high volume fraction of gas, enable foams to float on top of other fluids and to fiU large volumes with relatively Httle fluid material. These features are of particular importance in their use for fire fighting. The very high internal surface area of foams makes them useful in many separation processes. The unique rheology of foams also results in a wide variety of uses, as a foam can behave as a soHd, while stiH being able to flow once its yield stress is exceeded. 

Perfluoroalkyl substances are synthetic products that have been manufactured for over 50 years [1]. They have been used in many commercial products such as refrigerants, surfactants, polymers, pharmaceuticals, wetting agents, lubricants, adhesives, pesticides, corrosion-inhibitors, stain resistant treatments for leather, paper and clothing [1,3,4]. Other uses have included, aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) for fire-fighting, mining and oil-well... 

Stream type foam generators (air-foam tubes) and foam generators in which the dispersing device is gauze have wide application, especially for fire-fighting and dust-catching foams [37-38]. 

EXPLOSION and FIRE CONCERNS nonflammable when heated to decomposition, emits toxic fumes of hydrochloric acid and other chlorinated hydrocarbons use dry chemical, foam or carbon dioxided for fire-fighting purposes. 

EXPLOSION and FIRE CONCERNS combustible NFPA rating Health 3, Flammability 2, Reactivity 0 spontaneous explosive reactions with dibenzol peroxide, fluorine nitrate, nitrosal perchlorate, red fuming nitric acid, and tetranitromethane reacts violently with boron chloride, peroxyformic acid, fluorine, trichloronitromethane, acetic anhydride, chlorosulfonic acid, perchromates, oleum and n-halomides ignites on contact with sodium peroxide and water forms heat-or shock-sensitive explosive mixtures with hydrogen peroxide, nitromethane and 1 -chloro-2,3-epoxypropane reactions with ozone and perchloric acid form explosive products decomposition emits highly toxic fumes of NOx use alcohol foam, dry chemical, water spray, or carbon dioxide for fire-fighting purposes. 

EXPLOSION and FIRE CONCERNS combustible solid flammable moderate fire risk NFPArating (not rated) volatile in steam contact with strong oxidizing agents may cause fires and explosions violent reaction with ammonium perchlorate incompatible with tetrani-tromethane and mercury (II) nitrate thermal decomposition may generate carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide use alcohol foam, water spray, dry chemical powder, or carbon dioxide for fire fighting purposes. 

EXPLOSION and FIRE CONCERNS extremely flammable gas very dangerous fire hazard NFPA rating (not rated) vapor accumulation could flash and/or explode if in contact with open flame pressurized eontainers may explode if exposed to open flames and elevated temperatures incompatible with strong oxidizers and chlorine dioxide hazardous decomposition products include carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide use carbon dioxide, dry chemical, foam or water fog for fire fighting purposes. 

For fire-fighting on polar organic liquids (alcohol, acetone, etc), sodium alginate, protein condensation products and some biosurfactants are incorporated into the foamer formulations. These additives, including polysaccharides, give a gel-like float inhibiting the penetration of the polar liquid into the foam and preventing its collapse. 

As discussed earlier, fluorinated surfactants arc used in many applications because of their ability to stabilize aqueous foams and remain stable under strongly acidic and strongly basic conditions. This is the case for fire-fighting foams and EOR. In the mining industry, fluorinated surfactants are used to create stable aqueous foams for ore flotation to separate metal salts from soil and in electrowinning of metals such as copper [94]. 

Uses Wetting agent and foamer for fire fighting foams and in emulsion polymerization... 

Uses Detergent used in liq. and lotion shampoos foam booster for fire fighting Properties Pale yel., cl. liq. misc. with water dens. 1.025 g/cc vise. 300 cs pH 6.8-7.1 (5%) 40% act. 

Uses Surfactant for personal care prods. emulsifier in the nrfg. of rubber latexes foam builder for fire fighting foams... 

Uses Detergent, antistat, foam booster/stabilizer for foamed rubbers, fire fighting, bleach additive, shampoos, hair and bath prods. 

Uses High foaming surfactant blend for fire fighting foams. It. duty liquids, car washes, etc. 

Uses High foaming, heavy-duty detergent and coupling agent rec. for fire fighting foams, emulsion polymerization, and formulated cleaners and detergents Properties Liq. 60% cone. 

Uses Surfactant raw material for ethoxylation, sulfation, etc. stabilizer In emulsion polymerization foam stabilizer for fIre-fightIng foams superfatting agent for shampoos... 

Uses Stabilizer, detergent for Industrial and household cleaners foaming agent for fire fighting foam compds. dispersant and emulsifier for chlorinated soivs. emulsifier for emulsion polymerization... 

Uses Foam booster/stabilizer for detergent formulations, foam cleaning, fire fighting foams, plasterboard prod. 

Uses Stabilizer, detergent for industrial and household cleaners foaming agent for fire fighting foam compds. dispersant and emulsifier for chlorinated soivs. Properties Water-wh. cl. liq. faint odor water-sol. sp.gr. 1.040 vise. 65 cs flash pt. > 200 F (COC) pour pt. < 0 C pH 7-9 (1% aq.) 25% act. 

Uses Surfactant for fire fighting foams textile aux. 

Use of dry chemical, alcohol foam, or carbon dioxide is recommended for cycloahphatic amine fire fighting. Water spray is recommended only to flush spills away to prevent exposures. In the aquatic environment, cyclohexylamine has a high (420 mg/L) toxicity threshold for bacteria (Pseudomonasputida) (68), and is considered biodegradable, that is, rnineralizable to CO2 and H2O, by acclimatized bacteria. 

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