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Fluorine Free Foams
Published in David M. Kempisty, LeeAnn Racz, Forever Chemicals, 2021
Ian Ross, Peter Storch, Ted Schaefer, Niall Ramsden
From a waste treatment perspective, wastes generated during foam transition include AFFF, FFFP or FP concentrate, foam mix from proportioning test work, fire water drainage, decontamination solutions, and solid waste in the form of impacted piping, components, and tank bladders. If all the organic components of a firefighting foam are assessed to be readily biodegradable, they could be effectively managed using a biological wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). For example, discharge to a sewer system for a biodegradable foam mix generated from a proportioning test may be considered as an appropriate disposal method with regulatory and utility approval. The converse is true for any foam containing PFAS, such as AFFF, FFFP and FP, as they are extremely persistent organic compounds which do not biodegrade and cannot be treated using sewerage and conventional WWTPs. Alternative treatment systems, such as the use of granular activated carbon (GAC) for the long-chain PFAS and ion exchange resin (IX) for the short-chain PFAS, could be applied to treat firewater impacted with PFAS. However, the performance of GAC and resin treatment systems can be severely compromised by other organic compounds in the foam matrix (e.g., natural organic matter and glycols) which can coat adsorption sites and inorganics (e.g., natural anions) which compete with PFAS for binding capacity. Foam fractionation is one alternative treatment process that will not be impacted by co-contaminants.
Applied Chemistry and Physics
Published in Robert A. Burke, Applied Chemistry and Physics, 2020
Small fires involving ethanol and its blends can be extinguished with a Class B-type fire extinguisher (dry chemical). Generally, large fires involving flammable liquids are best contained and extinguished using firefighting foam. There are two basic firefighting foams: one for hydrocarbon fires and the other for alcohol or polar solvent-type fires. Fires involving ethanol/gasoline mixtures with greater than 10% alcohol (E85 for example) should be treated differently than traditional gasoline fires. DOT recommends that emergency responders refer to Orange Guide 127 of the Emergency Response Guidebook when responding to incidents involving fuel mixtures known to contain or potentially contain more than 10% alcohol. Orange Guide 127 specifies the use of alcohol-resistant foam. Ethanol mixtures above 10% are polar/water-miscible flammable liquids and degrade the effectiveness of non-alcohol-resistant firefighting foams.
In-Situ Burning an Update
Published in Merv Fingas, In-Situ Burning for Oil Spill Countermeasures, 2018
It is recommended that fire-extinguishing equipment be available during the burn. One dedicated fire-extinguishing equipment vessel should be positioned beside the boom containing the burn. During burn operations at sea, those who must be near the burn, such as the tow-boat operators, can be protected by ensuring that fire monitors of sufficient capacity are available. These monitors can be left on to ensure they are ready if needed. Extra fire monitors and experienced crews should be available on the surveillance vessel to assist if a fire spreads. The fire can also be extinguished by using a firefighting foam made for liquid fuel fires. To ensure safety, at least two of these extinguishing methods should be ready at a burn site. When burning is done close to shore, fire trucks and crews can be stationed at strategic points on land to fight unwanted secondary fires.
What should we know when choosing feather, blood, egg or preen oil as biological samples for contaminants detection? A non-lethal approach to bird sampling for PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs and PFASs
Published in Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 2023
Emerging organic pollutants (EOPs) can also constitute a high threat, as they continue to be introduced into the environment. Many of these, too, are not regulated and not enough ecotoxicological data on these compounds are available (Tartu et al., 2014). Among the best known examples of EOPs are poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs), which are used in a variety of products, e.g. fire-fighting foam, and impregnation agents for carpets and textiles (Tartu et al., 2014). PFASs are thermally and chemically stable and may affect body condition and health (Ask et al., 2021; Tartu et al., 2014). They also have very high surface tension lowering potential, and thus would behave differently in the marine ecosystem than do classical POPs (Herzke et al., 2009). The best known PFASs are perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluooctanoic acid (PFOA) (Pereira et al., 2021). In 2009, PFOS, which is one of the most persistent and bioaccumulative PFASs, was declared one of the legacy POPs by the Stockholm Convention (UNEP). As it is a stable end product of the degradation of PFASs, is often found in both the environment and biota (Dauwe et al., 2007). In 2019 also PFOA was added to the Stockholm Convention list (UNEP), and PFHxS (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid) is under consideration (UNEP). These features, and their wide applicability, make PFASs especially interesting for ecotoxicological studies.
Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA): Environmental Sources, Chemistry, Toxicology, and Potential Risks
Published in Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal, 2019
Christopher M. Teaf, Michele M. Garber, Douglas J. Covert, Bruce J. Tuovila
PFAS possess unique abilities to repel oil, grease, and water (ASTSWMO, 2015; Post et al., 2017; Vierke et al., 2012). These compounds also help reduce friction and resist temperature extremes when used in many industries including aerospace, automotive, construction, manufacturing, electronics, and textiles (ASTSWMO, 2015; ITRC, 2018). PFAS have been utilized to make surfactants used to produce fire fighting foam for many applications and mist suppressants for metal-plating operations. As a result, PFAS are found in places such as firefighting training areas, aircraft operations sites, metal-coating and -plating facilities, water treatment systems, military facilities, and airport hangers or other facilities that store and use fire fighting foams (ASTSWMO, 2015; USEPA, 2016a). In addition, PFOA is used as a surfactant and emulsifier in compounds used to coat a variety of food packaging materials, including microwave popcorn bags (Lau et al., 2007; Lindstrom et al., 2011; SWRCB, 2016) and is essential in manufacture of the fluoropolymer polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Teflon), which has the unusual combination of being both hydrophobic and lipophobic (EFSA, 2008; Kennedy et al., 2004; Moore, 2010). PFAS, including PFOA, can be found in everyday household products such as clothing, upholstery, paper, carpets, and nonstick cookware (USEPA, 2016c). In addition, fluorinated telomer alcohols can be converted to PFOA through biological reactions in soil, sludge, and wastewater, as well as in the human body, and also through non-biological chemical reactions in the atmosphere (Post et al., 2012).
Fire testing of alternative fixed fire-extinguishing systems for ro-ro spaces onboard ships
Published in Ships and Offshore Structures, 2023
Magnus Arvidson, Pierrick Mindykowski
A CAFS releases a fire-fighting foam for the extinguishment of a fire or for the protection of unaffected adjacent areas. System components of CAFS are typically a water source, a centrifugal pump, a foam concentrate tank, a foam proportioning and injection component, a mixing chamber or device, an air compressor, and a control system ensuring suitable mixing of the water, foam concentrate and air. CAFS are typically used for the protection of spaces where flammable liquids are stored, handled or processed. Applications may include exposed or shielded Class B pool or spill fires and are applicable for the protection of specific hazards and equipment. Systems are usually pre-engineered and must be designed by the manufacturer for the specific application. To provide a discharge distribution over a large area, rotation nozzles or rotor nozzles are generally used. Alternatively, multi-orifice nozzles have been developed. The foam consists of a homogeneous bubble structure and low proportioning rates, typically from 0.3% to 1.0% with either Class A (fires in solid combustibles) or Class B (flammable liquid pool fires) foam concentrates. NFPA 11 (NFPA 2016) includes recommendations for the design and installation of foam fire-extinguishing systems, including CAFS. The generation of foam in the mixing chamber is considered to provide better foam quality than nozzles where foam generation occurs in the nozzle itself. For fire hazards (indoors) in buildings where spill fires may occur, NFPA 11 recommends an application equivalent to 4.1 mm/min with film-forming foams and 6.5 mm/min with protein foams. For CAFS, NFPA 11 recommends a design density according to the system’s approval requirements but not lower than 1.63 mm/min for petroleum products. No design and installation recommendations are given for Class A fires in NFPA 11, but CAFS are used for wildland fires (portable equipment) and for example for the protection of waste bunkers in recycling plants and cable tunnels. The foam provides a certain adhesion to vertical surfaces, helping to prevent or delay the spread of fire between different objects. With rotating nozzles located at the ceiling, each nozzle can cover a relatively large surface area.