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BLASTWRAP® vs. ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES
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Other approaches have been developed and used since the 1960s to suppress fires, fireballs and explosions produced by flammable fuels. Most of these applications involve chemical agents, either powdered extinguishants, gases, or aerosols of liquid extinguishants. Many aircraft use reticulated solid foams to fill fuel tanks that do not involve chemical agents. All agents must be dispensed. To function, they must be dispensed to the right place at the right time; this is virtually impossible in complex three-dimensional geometries such as the underside or interior of vehicles. Powders only suppress two-dimensional fires, gases rapidly diffuse away and foam must be properly generated. All pressurized systems are susceptible to loss of gas and can be accidentally discharged. Shelf life is an issue with foams. Halons are the most effective agents against fireballs in confined areas, but the apparatus is bulky. Additionally, only foam agents are free of toxicity issues. Reticulated foam is only an option for fuels similar to gasoline, thus relating only to methanol, ethanol, M85, E85, and diesel. These components also sacrifice usable tank volume and do nothing against fuels that have escaped or are external to the tank.
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