Objective:
Performance discharge checks on aircraft hangar and fuel farm fire suppression foam systems must be done periodically. During the discharge checks, aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) is released. Despite the effectiveness and widespread use of AFFF for fire fighting purposes, its waste poses an environmental concern because of its resistance to biodegradation, toxicity constituents, high biological and chemical oxygen demand, and extreme foaming activity. This project will demonstrate and validate the effectiveness of the NoFoam System technology for performance discharge checks on existing Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft hangar and fuel farm fire suppression foam systems. Technology Description: The concept of the NoFoam System technology developed for DoD aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) vehicles will be applied to aircraft hangar and fuel farm fire suppression foam systems. The ARFF vehicle NoFoam System provides a valid nozzle discharge test while checking the vehicle's onboard foam distribution system by introducing a surrogate fluid, thereby eliminating the generated AFFF waste. Similarly, the DoD aircraft hangar and fuel farm fire suppression AFFF concentrate supply will be isolated and a surrogate fluid will be supplied. Multiple portable ultrasonic flow meters will be installed to measure water and surrogate fluid flow rates in the fire-main risers and lines feeding discharge nozzles. A computer will analyze the flow data and calculate whether the discharge foam meets the required 3% AFFF concentrate. Expected Benefits: The NoFoam System technology uses no hazardous chemicals, provides real-time online measurements of discharge rates, and requires no specially trained personnel to interpret the resulting data. DoD cost savings will be accrued from the elimination of AFFF wastewater collection and disposal and replenishment of spent AFFF concentrates during annual and maintenance discharge checks. DoD fire fighter mission readiness will not be jeopardized. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2007) Principal Investigator:
Mr. Rance Kudo
Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center
1100 23rd Avenue, ESC421
Port Hueneme, CA 93043-4370
Telephone: (805) 982-4976
Fax: (805) 982-4832
E-mail: rance.kudo@navy.mil
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