PROTEIN FOAM

Descripción

For the suppression of fire involving hydrocarbon bulk storage and handling, such as refineries and petrochemical facilities, protein foam concentrates are ideal.

Protein foams at 3% concentrate produce stable mechanical foam with good expansion properties and excellent burnback resistance characteristics. Typically, protein foams are used to protect flammable and combustible liquids where they are stored, transported and processed.

The foam is derived from naturally-occurring sources of protein such as hoof and horn meal. The protein meal is hydrolyzed in the presence of alkaline and converted to a protein hydrolysate, which is neutralized and to which other components are added such as foam stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, antimicrobial agents and freezing point depressants.

Protein foam concentrates generally have good heat stability and resist burnback, but are not as mobile or fluid on the fuel surface as other types of low expansion foams. Protein foams are susceptible to fuel pickup; consequently, care should be taken to minimize submergence.

Two fire extinguishing mechanisms are in effect when using protein foam concentrates. First, a foam blanket is formed that works to prevent the release of fuel vapor. Second, the water content of the foam provides a cooling effect. The wetting characteristics of the foam make it useful in combating Class A fires.

The concentrates are used as a 3% proportioned solution either in fresh, salt or hard water and must be used with air aspirating-type discharge devices. The correct proportioning ratio is 3 parts of concentrate to 97 parts of water. They can also be used with foam compatible dry chemical extinguishing agents without regard to the order of application, to provide even greater fire protection capability.

ANSUL 3% Regular Protein Foam Concentrate is intended for use on Class B hydrocarbon fuel fires such as crude oils, gasoline, diesel fuels and aviation fuels. It is not suitable for use on fuels having appreciable water solubility (polar solvents), e.g., methyl and ethyl alcohol, acetone and methyl ethyl ketone.

ANSUL 3% Regular Protein Foam Concentrate is formulated from hydrolyzed protein, foam stabilizers (metal salts), bactericide, corrosion inhibitors, freezing point depressants and solvents.

The concentrate is UL Listed and available in a 5 gal (19 L) pail and a 55 gal (208 L) drum.