Methods of Quantifying and Mitigating Aerosol Fire and Explosion Hazards Associated with Low Vapor Pressure Liquids

This paper addresses the hazards associated with aerosolized hydraulic fluids and other liquids designed to be relatively non-flammable with respect to flashpoint and vapor pressure. The studies presented seek to understand and quantify conditions and circumstances that can produce such hazardous conditions. US Navy personnel are particularly susceptible to fuel aerosol hazards due to the widespread use and storage of these materials on both ships and airbases [13]. As a result a great deal of research effort has been directed toward designing safer jet fuels, lube oils, and hydraulic fluids. Most of these approaches have focused on improving the thermodynamic properties of the liquids by increasing their flashpoint and lowering their liquid vapor pressure. This approach was used by the Department of Defense (DOD) to reduce aviation fires. The design and implementation of lower volatility aviation fuels such as JP5 (Navy) and JP8 (Air Force) helped to reduce fuel ignition caused by gunfire in combat and help increase fire safety aboard aircraft carriers [4].