Questions about "Next-Gen" Fire Extinguishers

[hellosailor]

Thanks, Gord. In the link I had looked at, they didn't mention any of the certifications. I guess their profits are too slim to bother hiring technical copywriters.

I know that Kidde had similar issues when they started selling their "Type K" kitchen fire extinguishers, which finally have been approved. (Also very good for boats, since the powder won't rot out appliances and electrical wiring the way the usual yellow stuff does, btw.)

[mickt243]

Originally Posted by GordMay

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION
Element is a manual, portable aerosol fire extinguisher (Class ABCK). It uses a Potassium powder jet (a unique method among fire extinguishers) that employs the vaporization of the powder in the environment followed by the condensation of its extinguishing substance. Element works by interrupting a fire’s chain of reaction (the “auto-catalyst” of the fire).
The extinguishing agent being used is composed of Potassium Nitrate, organic oxidizer, and plasticizer resin.
When Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) discharges from the extinguisher it vaporizes in the environment followed by the condensation of its extinguishing substance. When it reacts (inside the body of the extinguisher) it breaks down and the aerosol that is formed is made up primarily of free radicals of Potassium K+, of Nitrogen N (an inert gas), and water vapor.
The aerosol that comes out of the unit reacts with the fire. Potassium radicals (K+) capture the Oxygen of the combustion thereby extinguishing it.At the end of the extinguishing process the following is discharged to the atmosphere:As a solid: particles of Potassium (that have reacted with the Oxygen of the fire) having a size between 3-4 microns. These particles are invisible at sight and heavier than air. They disperse in the atmosphere and tend to deposit on the ground in no appreciable amounts. As a gas: As Nitrogen; an inert gas already present in the air we breathe at more or less 78%.As water vapor (and lastly) extremely minimal toxic by-products that are a result of the combustion process.
See ➥ https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/30...67154874779486

Conventional Class K fire extinguishers are filled with a blend of potassium acetate and potassium citrate

Again - I’m not saying they don’t work, I’m saying they cannot work as described.

Potassium is an “alkaline metal” powder it and pour it on a fire (as described in the first line above) it will burn fiercely. It will react, unpleasantly, with the oxygen in the air. The combustion byproduct of potassium is potassium hydroxide, which is highly corrosive- no better than dry chemical residues and potentially worse.

Whatever puts out the fire is not what is described in their words.


Now, it’s entirely possible that it’s contents (and therefore mode of operation) are the same as the maus (thanks for the sds wrwakefield) - potassium nitrate, formaldehyde and melamine. The potassium nitrate allows the melamine and formaldehyde to combust. The combustion byproduct of the melamine and formaldehyde are what extinguish the fire (by both oxygen starvation and chemical interruption, if it was only oxy starvation the fires in their videos would reflash and they don’t seem to.) formaldehyde and melamine combustion byproducts are quite toxic, try not to be exposed to them, don’t re enter any compartment where this has been used until it’s been thoroughly ventilated.


Don’t confuse these kinds of extinguishers with a normal K type - they work very differently- a typical K type extinguisher discharges it’s agent into burning fat and causes chemical changes in the fat to make it essentially a non flammable soapy goo.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by GordMay

... The aerosol that is formed is made up primarily of free radicals of Potassium K+, of Nitrogen N (an inert gas), and water vapor...

They don't just pour Potassium Nitrate on the fire.
I'm no chemist, so don't know if the above makes any difference.

[Singularity]

Originally Posted by mickt243

Again - I’m not saying they don’t work, I’m saying they cannot work as described.

Potassium is an “alkaline metal” powder it and pour it on a fire (as described in the first line above) it will burn fiercely. It will react, unpleasantly, with the oxygen in the air. The combustion byproduct of potassium is potassium hydroxide, which is highly corrosive- no better than dry chemical residues and potentially worse.

Whatever puts out the fire is not what is described in their words.


Now, it’s entirely possible that it’s contents (and therefore mode of operation) are the same as the maus (thanks for the sds wrwakefield) - potassium nitrate, formaldehyde and melamine. The potassium nitrate allows the melamine and formaldehyde to combust. The combustion byproduct of the melamine and formaldehyde are what extinguish the fire (by both oxygen starvation and chemical interruption, if it was only oxy starvation the fires in their videos would reflash and they don’t seem to.)

Maybe consider reviewing aerosol fire suppression chemistry? I wouldn't try to extrapolate much from the marketing splash message as it is written.