Experimental investigation of the performance of modified expanded graphite powder doped with zinc borate in extinguishing sodium fires

Abstract

Sodium is the main cooling medium in the circuit of fourth-generation nuclear reactors, and its leakage constitutes a severe fire hazard because of its high chemical activity. In this study, expandable graphite (EG), which is a traditional sodium fire-extinguishing agent, was modified with zinc borate (ZB) as an intercalator, and the modified EGZB was characterized. Moreover, the effectiveness of the modified EGZB in extinguishing sodium fires was tested using a self-developed fire-extinguishing experimental device. This study's results indicated that EG, EGZB had a smaller particle size, higher thermal stability, higher fire-extinguishing speed, and lower powder mass consumption than EG. During the fire-extinguishing process, ZnO decomposed by ZB captured free radicals and inhibited the combustion reaction. Furthermore, B2O3 was adsorbed on the surface of the EG layer, which strengthened covering and asphyxiation. The findings of this study provide crucial information for effectively controlling fires caused by active metals and metallo-organic compounds.