How does the automatic fire extinguishing device suppress flames and prevent the spread of fire?
Publish Time: 2025-06-04
Aerosol automatic fire extinguishing device is an efficient and fast-response fire extinguishing technology that suppresses flames and prevents the spread of fire by releasing fine particles. This fire extinguishing method is widely used in many occasions due to its unique physical and chemical properties, especially in environments that are not suitable for water-based or gas fire extinguishing systems, such as electronic equipment rooms and data centers.1. Composition and generation of aerosolsAerosols are dispersed systems formed by the suspension of solid or liquid tiny particles in a gas medium. In an aerosol automatic fire extinguishing device, these particles are usually solid powders produced by thermal decomposition reactions, and their diameters are generally less than 1 micron. When the device is started, the built-in chemicals (usually a mixture containing oxidants and reductants) react rapidly under high temperature to produce a large amount of inert gas and fine particles. These particles are then sprayed at high speed to the fire scene.2. Physical mechanism of suppressing flamesAn important mechanism of aerosol fire extinguishing is to suppress flames by changing the physical conditions in the combustion area. First, because aerosol particles are very small and numerous, they can greatly increase the specific surface area in the air, thereby effectively absorbing heat. This means that the temperature around the flame will drop rapidly, reducing the energy required to maintain combustion. In addition, the presence of a large number of fine particles also increases the resistance on the flame propagation path, making it difficult for the flame to continue to spread, thereby achieving the purpose of blocking the fire source.3. Chemical mechanism of flame suppressionIn addition to physical cooling, aerosols also suppress flames through a series of complex chemical reactions. The fine particles in aerosols can act as free radical capture agents, participate in the combustion process, and interrupt the chain reaction. For example, some metal oxide particles can capture active free radicals such as OH· and H· produced during the combustion process, reduce their concentration, and thus break the chain reaction chain required for combustion. In this way, even if there is sufficient fuel and oxygen, it is impossible to maintain the flame to continue burning.4. The role of preventing re-ignitionAerosol fire extinguishing is not limited to the initial extinguishing of flames, but can also effectively prevent re-ignition. This is because aerosol particles have good coverage and adhesion, and can form a protective film on the burning surface to isolate oxygen in the air and further reduce the possibility of re-ignition. At the same time, since aerosol fire extinguishing does not leave conductive residues, it is particularly suitable for protecting electrical equipment from fire damage while avoiding secondary losses caused by subsequent treatment.In summary, the aerosol automatic fire extinguishing device effectively suppresses the development of flames and prevents the spread of fire by combining physical cooling and chemical suppression mechanisms. Its unique working principle makes it an ideal fire extinguishing solution, especially for places that are sensitive to or inappropriate for traditional fire extinguishing methods.
