Oleophobic Modification of Hollow Glass Microspheres and Its Effect on the Foaming Capacity and Stability of Foam Extinguishing Agent

Baohua Tang,Zhaoliang Wu

doi:10.1155/2015/923894

Abstract

We utilized tridecafluorooctyltriethoxysilane (F8261) for the surface modification of hollow glass microspheres (HGM). We then measured the contact angles and the residing time of oil droplets on the HGM surface under different conditions and investigated the effects of the modifier concentration, reaction time and reaction temperature, and other factors on the outcomes of the modification reaction. We also compared the effects of HGM on the expansion ratio and 25% drainage time of protein foam liquid before and after the modification treatment and investigated the effects of HGM surface oleophobic modification on the foaming capacity and stability of foam extinguishing agent. The results showed that when the F8261 concentration was 1.0%, the temperature was 60°C, and the ultrasound treatment time was 2.0 h, the contact angle was up to 132.5°, the oleophobic property of HGM could be significantly enhanced, and the foaming capacity and the oil surface stability were significantly improved by the oleophobic modification.

Highlights

Protein foam extinguishing agent is most commonly used fire extinguishing material when fighting oil fires
Since hollow glass microspheres (HGM) has a strong ability to absorb oil, it was found that the stability of foam added with HGM on oil surface was significantly lower than regular two-phase protein foam, when fighting oil fires [4]
We investigated the effects of the modifier concentration, reaction time and reaction temperature, and other factors on the modification effect and compared the stability of foam extinguishing agent on oil surface before and after the oleophobic modification

Summary

Introduction

Protein foam extinguishing agent is most commonly used fire extinguishing material when fighting oil fires. It has been shown that after adding hollow glass microspheres (HGM) to foam extinguishing agent a stable scaffold of three-phase foam can form inside the foam, so that the thermal stability of foam can been significantly improved [3]. Since HGM has a strong ability to absorb oil, it was found that the stability of foam added with HGM on oil surface was significantly lower than regular two-phase protein foam, when fighting oil fires [4]. Adding fluorocarbon surfactant to foam extinguishing agent might improve the stability of HGM foam on oil surface. It still cannot meet the actual fire-fighting needs [5]. We investigated the effects of the modifier concentration, reaction time and reaction temperature, and other factors on the modification effect and compared the stability of foam extinguishing agent on oil surface before and after the oleophobic modification

Experimental Equipment and Materials

Experimental Methods

Experimental Results and Discussion

Conclusions