Design and Testing of a Water Based Fire Extinguishing System for On-Board Hydrogen Peroxide Fires

The Air Force has demonstrated that a water is capable of extinguishing comparable H2O2 oxidizer fires with 23 pounds of water vs 67 pounds of halon. Recent advances in sensor technology make it possible to detect an H2O2 leak prior to ignition, or to rapidly detect ignition in order to initiate fire protection system water flow. Recent findings by Streamline Automation also indicate that fire extinguishing enhancement is possible via electrostatic charging of the water mist. Streamline Automation and Worcester Polytechnic Institute will leverage advanced sensors, and explore the impact of electrostatic charging, to provide a more effective H2O2 fire extinguishing system for ABL than the current Halon system. During Phase I Streamline Automation proposes to: 1.Develop a water mist fire extinguishing system that incorporates an advanced H2O2 sensor developed by Argonne National Laboratory and a rapid response COTS flame sensor. 2.Adapt our electrostatic charging approach to Fike Corporation's P/N 73-010 micro-mist nozzle. 3.Demonstrate a system (water and hardware total weight less than 75 pounds) able to extinguish an obscured "Red Mechanic's Rag" fire at any location on the floor of the 8x10x10 ft fire test chamber at WPI. Streamline Automation has teamed with the WPI Fire Science Laboratory, a premier University in fire science, to assist in optimizing our charged water mist system during Phase I development testing. The Phase I test matrix will include multiple fire energy levels and water mist flow rates, both with and without electrostatic charging. During Phase II CFDRC will develop and provide for test a prototype Fire Extinguishing System (total weight < 5000 lbs) scaled to protect all likely H2O2 spill locations in the laser and laser chemical supply areas of the Airborne Laser, Block 08 installation.