THE INABILITY OF CONDENSED AEROSOL TO FUNCTION AS A STREAMING AGENT AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR VEHICLE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v23.n4.4713Keywords:
Condensed Aerosol, Vehicle Fire Suppression Systems, Streaming Agent, Total Flooding System, Particle Fluid MechanicsAbstract
The application of condensed aerosol (CA) as a fire suppression system for motor vehicles has increasingly been promoted as an alternative to conventional streaming agents. However, such equivalence raises fundamental conceptual problems. Streaming agents suppress fire through high-momentum, directional discharge enabling rapid localized fire attack, whereas condensed aerosol operates through volumetric dispersion of submicron particles and is highly dependent on spatial confinement and the achievement of homogeneous agent concentration. This study aims to scientifically analyze the inherent inability of condensed aerosol to function as a streaming agent within vehicle engine compartments, which are semi-open and characterized by high ventilation rates. The research adopts an analytical–qualitative approach integrating particle fluid mechanics, thermodynamics of pyrotechnic aerosol systems, combustion reaction kinetics, and a systematic review of international standards including NFPA 2010, ISO 15779, and LPS regulations. The analysis is reinforced by a synthesis of Scopus-indexed experimental studies, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, and reviews of real-world fire incident cases. The results demonstrate that condensed aerosol intrinsically lacks flow momentum, throw range, and penetration capability required for effective vehicle fire suppression. Its performance is deterministically degraded by ventilation effects, making suppression failure scientifically predictable. Conversely, condensed aerosol exhibits effective performance only in small, well-confined, and static compartments such as electrical panels and control cabinets, where a total flooding mechanism based on volumetric concentration can be consistently achieved. These findings are fully consistent with international regulatory classifications that restrict condensed aerosol to fixed total flooding systems for small enclosed spaces. This study concludes that the application of condensed aerosol in motor vehicles represents a categorical design error in fire suppression systems.
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