The Effects of Droplet Size and Injection Orientation on Water Mist Suppression of Low and High Boiling Point Liquid Pool Fires

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental parametric study of water mist suppression of large-scale liquid pool fires. The experiments were conducted with 50cm diameter pan heptane and JP8 pool fires. Mist was injected into the fire from the base at 90^° and 45^° and from the top at 90^°. The results show that base injection of droplets enhanced their suppression effectiveness by as much as two times. Secondly, optimum suppression effectiveness is obtained with small droplets injected at the base of the fire. This is because the droplets evaporated quickly within the lower region of the fire where a greater effect of oxygen dilution and water vapor higher heat capacity is fully realized. Finally, a comparison of the results with the two fuels show that water mist is more effective in suppressing the JP8 fires than the heptane fires. It is concluded that the additional effects of direct surface cooling contributed significantly to the observed difference.

Keywords:

• Fire suppression
• Water mist

Additional information

Notes on contributors

CHUKA C. NDUBIZU

With Geo-Centers Inc.