An Investigation of Extinguishment by Thermal Agents Using Detailed Chemical Modeling of Opposed Jet Diffusion Flames

: The manufacture of the halons widely used in fire extinguishing systems was banned in 1994 due to their deleterious effect on stratospheric ozone. Since the late 198Os there have been ongoing research efforts to identify replacement agents having comparable properties. This search has proven difficult and continues today with a large directed effort known as the Next Generation Fire Suppression Technology Program (NGP). As part of the NGP, the National Institute of Standards and Technology is investigating whether highly effective thermal agents are feasible. Thermal agents are defined as those that obtain their effectiveness solely by heat extraction and dilution. Excluded from investigation are species that directly or indirectly disrupt the combustion chemistry such as halons, which derive much of their effectiveness by the release of bromine atoms that catalytically remove hydrogen atoms in the flame zone. A great deal is known about the effects of thermal agents on flames.