A review on gas-generants for application in exploding fire extinguisher balls

Fire is a highly exothermic reaction caused due to the rapid oxidation of a flammable substance. The mechanism of fire can be explained well with the help of a Fire Triangle comprised of the Source, Heat and Oxygen. Fire is complete and active only when all these three components are present simultaneously. There are numerous methods employed to extinguish fire, by depriving the fire of one or more of the components of the fire triangle. Recent technologies have emerged which makes use of a solid chemical mixture, placedinside a shell, which explodes when the chemical decomposes on being thrown into a fire and floodsthe fire surface with an inert gas which is a product of the decomposition. The chemical decomposes by absorbing heat from fire. Nitrogen or other non-toxic gases gets released and puts out the fire by rapidly expanding and forming a blanket around the source of fire replacing Oxygen. The light weight, portability, easy and quick deployment and the release of non-toxic by-product are the advantages of the Fire Extinguishing Shells over the conventional ones. This paper presents a review of various chemicals that can be used can potentially be used in such fire extinguishing shells.