Suppressant-enhanced overpressure in the FAA Aerosol Can Simulator: Thermodynamic Considerations | NIST

The effective fire suppressant CF3Br (Bromotrifluoromethane, Halon 1301) has been banned from production by the Montreal Protocol due to its destruction of stratospheric ozone. While a critical-use exemption has been granted to the aviation industry for use of recycled Halon in cargo bay fire suppression, the European Union requires Halon replacement in new design aircraft by 2018 and in existing aircraft by 2040. Several replacements have been proposed, but they have all been found to produce enhanced burning in the FAA Aerosol Can Test simulator [1], and hence they fail FAA’s Minimum Performance Standard [2]. In particular, C2HF5 (pentafluoroethane; HFC-125), and bromotrifluoropropene (C3H2F3Br, 2-BTP) produce higher peak pressures in a simulated cargo bay when they are added at concentrations less than that required to completely suppress a simulated aerosol can explosion.