Laboratory Scale Experimental Study of Foam Suppression on Smouldering Combustion of a Tropical Peat

Abstract

Solving peat fires problem continues to be a constant struggle in Indonesia as more hotspots are identified during the dry seasons. A number of research has been carried out to understand the most sufficient way to suppress peat fires using a range of different methods. This research was focused on the suppression of peat fire by using foaming-based suppression agent in the laboratory scale experiments. Experiments were carried out to explore the effect of foam suppression system on tropical peat fires. A solution of Class A Foam with a concentration of 3% was used to suppress Kalimantan peat fire with a density of ±0.3g/cm3. Sample used in the experiments was taken from Tumbang Nusa Village, Pulang Pisau District, Central Kalimantan Province, with a coordinate of S: -3°47′34″, E: 113°55′15″. This experiment will explore how many foam layers of certain heights are needed in order to extinguish peat fire. Peat sample was put in a 10x10x10 cm3 reactor, where a coil heater was turned on at 80 - 100W for 30 minutes to initiate a smouldering front. A set of type K thermocouples and infrared thermographs were used to explore the suppression mechanism that occurs. As the smouldering front moved away from the igniter to the other end of the reactor, foam with different thickness was poured on top of the peat to explore the effect of varying thickness on the suppression of peat fire. From the series of experiments, it was observed that there was a correlation between the thickness of the foam layer and the suppression of peat fires. The thickness of 10cm was found to be the most effective in terms of time at extinguishing peat fire. An average amount of 3.8L of foam per kilogram of Kalimantan peat was needed to extinguish peat fire. It was also found that the average amount of water needed to suppress peat fire using foam method was 3.4L/kg.