PhostrEx
Encyclopedia
PhostrEx is a fire suppression agent developed for use in aviation applications to replace halon
, a greenhouse gas
(GHG). It was developed by Eclipse Aviation
for use aboard their Eclipse 500
very light jet
s as an engine fire suppression system
, and is now being marketed to other aviation manufacturers.
to outlaw its use. The only exception allowed by this international treaty is in aviation applications, and only until a suitable replacement became available.
PhostrEx meets the requirements of both the Montreal Protocol
and the Clean Air Act
, and is the first commercially viable Federal Aviation Authority and United States Environmental Protection Agency
certified halon replacement fire extinguishing agent. The EPA awarded the company with a 2007 Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award for the development of its PhostrEx fire-suppression system.
PhostrEx reacts very quickly with atmospheric moisture, breaking down into phosphorus acid
and hydrogen bromide
. Neither of these harms the ozone layer
. High concentrations of PhostrEx can cause skin blistering and eye irritation, however low concentrations are typically used due to its effectiveness.
Any persons with skin or eye contact with PhostrEx should rinse the affected area with water as soon as possible. PhostrEx is not very corrosive to metals, but it can tarnish.
Spectrum Aeronautical
will incorporate the PhostrEx fire suppression system into its future aircraft.
. It is being phased out for more environmentally-friendly alternatives. However, most of these alternatives will not fit in an aircraft engine.
Halon is mildly toxic in confined spaces.
Halon
Halon can refer to:* Haloalkane, or halogenoalkane, a group of chemical compounds consisting of alkanes with linked halogens. In particular, bromine-containing haloalkanes.* Halomethane fire extinguishing systems...
, a greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
(GHG). It was developed by Eclipse Aviation
Eclipse Aviation
Eclipse Aviation Corporation was the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 very light jet and also at one time proposed developing the Eclipse 400 single-engined jet....
for use aboard their Eclipse 500
Eclipse 500
The Eclipse 500 is a small six-seat business jet aircraft manufactured by Eclipse Aviation.Eclipse 500 became the first of a new class of Very Light Jet when it was delivered in late 2006...
very light jet
Very Light Jet
A very light jet, entry-level jet or personal jet, previously known as a microjet, is a category of small jet aircraft approved for single-pilot operation, seating 4-8 people, with a maximum take-off weight of under...
s as an engine fire suppression system
Fire suppression system
Fire suppression systems are used in conjunction with smoke detectors and fire alarm systems to improve and increase public safety. Suppression systems are governed by the codes under the NFPA 13 handbook.-Types:...
, and is now being marketed to other aviation manufacturers.
Overview
The PhostrEx fire suppression system addresses many of the problems with halon, from system weight to environmental concerns. These concerns, including halon's ozone-depleting and global warming characteristics, prompted the Montreal ProtocolMontreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion...
to outlaw its use. The only exception allowed by this international treaty is in aviation applications, and only until a suitable replacement became available.
PhostrEx meets the requirements of both the Montreal Protocol
Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion...
and the Clean Air Act
Clean Air Act
A Clean Air Act is one of a number of pieces of legislation relating to the reduction of airborne contaminants, smog and air pollution in general. The use by governments to enforce clean air standards has contributed to an improvement in human health and longer life spans...
, and is the first commercially viable Federal Aviation Authority and United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
certified halon replacement fire extinguishing agent. The EPA awarded the company with a 2007 Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award for the development of its PhostrEx fire-suppression system.
PhostrEx reacts very quickly with atmospheric moisture, breaking down into phosphorus acid
Phosphorus acid
Phosphorus acids are oxoacids of phosphorus. There are a large number of these and some cannot be isolated and are only known through their salts...
and hydrogen bromide
Hydrogen bromide
Hydrogen bromide is the diatomic molecule HBr. HBr is a gas at standard conditions. Hydrobromic acid forms upon dissolving HBr in water. Conversely, HBr can be liberated from hydrobromic acid solutions with the addition of a dehydration agent, but not by distillation. Hydrogen bromide and...
. Neither of these harms the ozone layer
Ozone layer
The ozone layer is a layer in Earth's atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone . This layer absorbs 97–99% of the Sun's high frequency ultraviolet light, which is potentially damaging to the life forms on Earth...
. High concentrations of PhostrEx can cause skin blistering and eye irritation, however low concentrations are typically used due to its effectiveness.
Any persons with skin or eye contact with PhostrEx should rinse the affected area with water as soon as possible. PhostrEx is not very corrosive to metals, but it can tarnish.
Spectrum Aeronautical
Spectrum Aeronautical
Spectrum Aeronautical is headquartered in Carlsbad, California with its development center located in Spanish Fork, Utah.- Management :Spectrum management’s history of technologically sophisticated advanced composite aircraft programs includes MQ-1 Predator, LearAvia Lear Fan, Beechcraft Starship,...
will incorporate the PhostrEx fire suppression system into its future aircraft.
Problems with halon
Most fire extinguishing agents pose a corrosion hazard to aircraft. The extinguishing effect of Halon is through interference of the thermal balance of the flame, and to a small extent by interfering with the chemical reaction of the fire. Halons are chlorofluorocarbons which cause damage to the ozone layerOzone layer
The ozone layer is a layer in Earth's atmosphere which contains relatively high concentrations of ozone . This layer absorbs 97–99% of the Sun's high frequency ultraviolet light, which is potentially damaging to the life forms on Earth...
. It is being phased out for more environmentally-friendly alternatives. However, most of these alternatives will not fit in an aircraft engine.
Halon is mildly toxic in confined spaces.
Strengths
- More effective than halon by weight
- Less weight by system
- Lower maintenance costs
- Environmentally friendly
- FAA certified
- EPA certified
Weaknesses
- In the presence of moisture, phosphorus tribromide is highly corrosive to most metals except lead and nickel.
- Proprietary system