Fire fighting foam applications
Dynax Fluorochemicals for Fire Fighting Foam Applications
Dynax has developed a family of fluorochemicals designed for fire-fighting foam agents such as AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam), AR-AFFF (Alcohol-Resistant AFFF), FP (Fluoroprotein), FFFP (Film Forming Fluoroprotein) and AR-FFFP (Alcohol-Resistant FFFP). Dynax products are used in commercial as well as in military applications.
Dynax fluorochemicals are especially effective in applications where superior foam stability and superior film formation are required. For example, DX5011, a patented fluorochemical foam stabilizer, has been the benchmark product for the formulation of alcohol-resistant foam agents for over a decade. With this foam stabilizer, it has become possible for foam agent producers to develop very low viscosity 3x3 and 1x3, or even 1x1 alcohol-resistant AFFF foam concentrates. DX5011 works equally well in the protein-based film-forming foam concentrates (AR-FFFP) to develop semi-Newtonian products. Dynax introduced in 2007 a new, third generation fluorochemical foam stabilizer, DX5022, which provides much enhanced polar-solvent performance compared to the old benchmark, DX5011.
As part of an ongoing project to develop a complete line of non-flammable products that are all based on C6 fluorotelomers, Dynax introduced in 2007 a new product, DX1080, a non-ionic fluorosurfactant designed for use in both synthetic and protein-based film-forming foam agents as well as in alcohol-resistant products. In 2008 Dynax introduced additional all C6 fluorotelomer-based surfactants, DX1025, DX1040 and DX1090. DX1025 is a blend of fluorosurfactants, whereas DX1040 is an anionic fluorosurfactant both designed for use in AFFF and AR-AFFF agents. DX1090 is a non-ionic fluorosurfactant recommended for use in FFFP and AR-FFFP agents.
Table 1 lists the current Dynax products and general guidelines for their fire-fighting applications.
Dynax Fluorochemicals and the Environment
The entire line of Dynax fluorochemical products are derived from fluorotelomer-based intermediates. These intermediates are produced by the telomerization process, one of the two major manufacturing processes of fluorochemicals. Fluorochemicals produced by the telomerization process do not contain PFOS (Perfluorooctyl Sulfonate) which regulatory authorities both in the US and in Europe classify as a persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic substance (PBT). Current regulations in the US do not allow PFOS-based fluorosurfactants to be used in the manufacture of new foam agents. In Europe, a recent European Union directive* restricts the use of PFOS-based fluorochemicals (maximum 0.005% by weight) for new foam agents. These regulations do not affect the use of telomer-based fluorochemicals.
Dynax fluorochemicals are not derived from PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) the risk assessment of which is currently under review by the regulatory authorities. Although the use of PFOA is not restricted by the EU directive until review of risk assessment is completed and safe alternative products are available, a maximum level of 0.005% by weight has been previously proposed for fire fighting foam concentrates by the Environmental Committee**. In the US, EPA’s voluntary, “2010/2015 PFOA Stewardship Program,” is in place: Participating companies are expected to reduce PFOA, precursor chemicals that break down to PFOA and related higher homolog chemicals (equal to or higher than C8), from emissions and product content level by 95% by 2010 and to eliminate the same by 2015.
Dynax fluorochemicals derived from C6 fluorotelomers do not degrade into PFOS or PFOA.
Notes:
*Directive 2006/122/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 12 December 2006
**Final Report(A6-025/2006)(July 19, 2006) by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety