ISSN: 1546-962X
Page Count: 12

Flow Friction Fire History and Research
Gallus, TD
Mechanical Engineer, Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc., NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility, NM

Stoltzfus, JM
Mechanical Engineer, NASA Laboratories Office, NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility, NM

(Received 26 October 2005; accepted 19 June 2006)

Abstract

Fires in oxygen systems are most commonly attributed to flow dynamic ignition mechanisms such as particle impact and rapid pressurization heating. However, there have been fires in oxygen systems that could not be attributed to the most common ignition mechanisms. Some of these fires have been attributed to a poorly understood ignition mechanism for polymers, called “flow friction.” A brief history of fires attributed to flow friction is presented. In addition, the flow friction research that has been performed at NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility is reviewed. Specifically, the possibility that flow friction is simple frictional heating powered by spontaneous gas-driven polymer oscillations is investigated. The results of the latest research on polymer fires based on spontaneous combustion assisted by frictional heat are presented.

Keywords:
flow friction, oxygen systems, polymer fires, spontaneous combustion, frictional heat

Paper ID: JAI13543
DOI: 10.1520/JAI13543
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