Fuel Resistance of Firefighting Surfactant Foam Formulations

Abstract

Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is widely recognized for its excellent fire-extinguishing capabilities, yet the specific roles of its components remain insufficiently understood. AFFF typically consists of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon surfactants, as well as organic solvents such as diethylene glycol butyl ether (DGBE), which can significantly influence foam performance. This study investigates the effects of surfactant mixtures and the DGBE additive on foam stability and fuel resistance at room temperature and ambient humidity. Static foam ignition experiments were conducted to assess fuel transport through foams using various hydrocarbon fuels, including n-octane, iso-octane, n-heptane, methylcyclohexane, methylcyclopentane, and a mixture of 25% trimethylbenzene with 75% n-heptane. Methylcyclopentane, with its higher vapor pressure and solubility, led to the shortest ignition times, indicating faster fuel transport. The addition of DGBE increased ignition times by a factor of 1.2 to 3.7 for individual surfactants, while the Capstone+Glucopon mixture improved ignition times by a factor of 2.4 to 5.5 compared to the individual surfactants. Further enhancement was observed with Capstone+Glucopon+DGBE, increasing ignition times by a factor of 3 to 7.3 compared to the individual surfactants. Additionally, combining DGBE with surfactant mixtures reduced fuel concentration in the bulk solution by over 60% compared to individual surfactants, significantly enhancing fuel resistance. Interface experiments showed that fuel presence, particularly methylcyclopentane and n-octane, altered the foam structure and accelerated drainage at the foam/fuel interface, impacting foam stability and fuel transport. These findings demonstrate that surfactant mixtures and DGBE-enhanced formulations substantially improve foam stability and fuel resistance.