Experimental Studies of Flame Extinction by Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHC0₃) Powder

Abstract

An experimental study is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) powder in extinguishing flames burning hydrocarbon fuels. Experiments are performed on flames stabilized in a counterflow burner. Powders with various particle sizes are used. The minimum amount of NaHC0₃ powder required to extinguish these flames is measured and compared with previous measurements using CF₃Br and N₂. The results show NaHCO₃, to be much more effective than CF₃Br and N₂, in extinguishing the flames. The calculated equilibrium temperatures of NaHCO₃ inhibited flames close to extinction show that NaHCO₃, inhibits the flame by chemical mechanisms.

Keywords:

• Inhibition
• diffusion
• laminar