Extinguishing pool fires with aqueous ferrocene dispersions containing gemini surfactants

The objective of the present study was to explore the relationship between the dispersibility and fire-extinguishing capability of aqueous ferrocene dispersions containing gemini surfactants belonging to the same series, namely, olfin E1020, olfin PD 201, and surfynol 465. In this study, the dispersibility and ability to suppress pool fires were characterized by turbidity and extinguishing time, respectively. Ultrasonication enabled easy preparation of the aqueous dispersions of ferrocene powder containing the gemini surfactants. Visual observations and turbidity measurements clearly demonstrated that the order of dispersibility was as follows: ferrocene dispersion containing surfynol 465 ≥ ferrocene dispersion containing olfin E1020 > ferrocene dispersion containing olfin PD201. Fire suppression experiments indicated that the ferrocene diameter, in the ferrocene diameter range of 10.4-21.5 μm, negligibly influenced the extinguishing time. Furthermore, for the same ferrocene samples as were used for the turbidity measurements, the order of extinguishing ability was as follows: ferrocene dispersion containing surfynol 465 > ferrocene dispersion containing olfin E1020 > ferrocene dispersion containing olfin PD201; thus, the extinguishing ability was identical to the dispersibility order.