Study on fire extinguishing performance of compressed air foam under variable pressure and fire source power

doi:10.16265/j.cnki.issn1003-3033.2026.07.0237

Abstract

Abstract:

To investigate the fire extinguishing performance of compressed air foam under different ambient pressures and fire source powers, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-based numerical simulation was employed. A three-dimensional numerical model was developed and validated, and the foam discharge and combustion processes were analyzed. The extinguishment state was determined based on the CO₂ mass fraction, fuel mass fraction, and reaction rate. Key parameters, including extinguishing time, foam coverage area, discharge distance, and fire temperature distribution, were analyzed, and an empirical correlation for foam extinguishing time applicable to different ambient pressures and fire source powers was established. The results show that within the ambient pressure range of 50-100 kPa, the extinguishing time for two fire source powers (13.85 and 31.84 MW) increase monotonically with increasing ambient pressure. The increase in pressure alters the foam structure and flow characteristics, weakening its spreading and fuel-surface sealing capacity, thereby prolonging the extinguishing process. The foam coverage area remains essentially equal to the oil pool area under all pressure conditions, stabilizing at approximately 10 and 26 m², indicating that ambient pressure has a limited effect on coverage area. The foam discharge distance shows minor variation and remains around 2.7 m, suggesting negligible influence of ambient pressure. After extinguishment, the temperature distribution exhibits spatial non-uniformity: the temperature in regions initially covered by foam decreases rapidly, whereas higher temperatures persist on both sides of the oil pool due to delayed foam coverage, posing a risk of reignition and requiring further cooling.

Key words: ambient pressure, fire source power, compressed air foam, extinguishing time, coverage, spray distance, temperature distribution

CLC Number:

X932爆炸安全与防火、防爆

Guo Yi, Tan Tiantian, Zhang Jiaqing, Wu Gexin, Li Bo. Study on fire extinguishing performance of compressed air foam under variable pressure and fire source power[J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2026, 36(7): 86-91.

Figures/Tables 10

Fig.1

Fig.2

Fig.3

Fig.4

Fig.5

Fig.6

Table 1

Fig.7

Table 2

Fig.8

References 14

[1]	张佳庆, 尚峰举, 马文智, 等. 变压器油对氟碳与碳氢表面活性剂体系泡沫性能影响[J]. 中国安全科学学报, 2024, 34(10):95-104. doi: 10.16265/j.cnki.issn1003-3033.2024.10.1888
	Zhang Jiaqing, Shang Fengju, Ma Wenzhi, et al. Effect of transformer oil on foam properties of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon surfactant systems[J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2024, 34(10): 95-104. doi: 10.16265/j.cnki.issn1003-3033.2024.10.1888
[2]	Rie D, Lee J, Kim S. Class b fire-extinguishing performance evaluation of a compressed air foam system at different air-to-aqueous foam solution mixing ratios[J]. Applied Sciences, 2016, 6: DOI:10.3390/app6070191.
[3]	Yan Long, Wang Ning, Guan Jingjing, et al. Comparative study of the suppression behavior and fire-extinguishing mechanism of compressed-gas aqueous film-forming foam in diesel pool fires[J]. Fire, 2023, 6: DOI:10.3390/fire6070269.
[4]	Tan Haolan, Zhang Yan, Jiang Lei, et al. AFFF foam fire extinguishing by gas-permeated spreading and flame barrier with different foaming gases[J]. Fire Safety Journal, 2025, 152: DOI:10.1016/j.firesaf.2024.104330.
[5]	靖立帅, 包志明, 赵婷婷, 等. 压缩空气泡沫对溶剂油蒸气密封性能研究[J]. 消防科学与技术, 2024, 43(4):510-515.
	Jing Lishuai, Bao Zhiming, Zhao Tingting, et al. Study on sealing performance of compressed air foam to solvent oil vapour[J]. Fire Science and Technology, 2024, 43(4): 510-515.
[6]	Chen Fang, Tao Jiulong, Gou Hanwen, et al. Study on characteristics and combustion inhibition efficiency of compressed air foam under high temperature thermal radiation[J]. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 2025, 74: DOI:10.1016/j.csite.2025.107016.
[7]	王明武. 高高原低压低氧对水成膜泡沫灭火剂的性能影响研究[D]. 广汉: 中国民用航空飞行学院, 2015.
	Wang Mingwu. A study on the effects of hypobaric hypoxia on the AFFF performance[D]. Guanghan: Civil Aviation Flight University of China, 2015.
[8]	伍毅, 孙强, 张汉飞, 等. 低压环境对AFFF发泡和析液性能影响研究[J]. 消防科学与技术, 2017, 36(11):1567-1571.
	Wu Yi, Sun Qiang, Zhang Hanfei, et al. Effect of low pressure on the foaming and drainage property of AFFF[J]. Fire Science and Technology, 2017, 36(11): 1567-1571.
[9]	Wang Huaibin, Du Zhiming, Zhang Tianwei, et al. Performance of foam agents on pool fires at high altitudes[J]. Fire Technology, 2022, 58: 1285-1304. doi: 10.1007/s10694-021-01188-w
[10]	ANSYS. Inc. CFX reference guide[EB/OL]. [2026-04-13]. https://ansyshelp.ansys.com/public/Views/Secured/corp/v252/en/cfx_ref/cfx_ref.html.
[11]	Babrauskas V. Estimating large pool fire burning rates[J]. Fire Technology, 1983, 19(4): 251-261. doi: 10.1007/BF02380810
[12]	张嘉勇, 吕祖欣, 崔啸, 等. 正断层影响下采空区注CO₂防灭火数值模拟研究[J]. 中国安全科学学报, 2025, 35(4):9-17. doi: 10.16265/j.cnki.issn1003-3033.2025.04.1231
	Zhang Jiayong, Lyu Zuxin, Cui Xiao, et al. Numerical simulation of CO₂ injection for fire prevention in a goaf affected by normal fault influence[J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2025, 35(4): 9-17. doi: 10.16265/j.cnki.issn1003-3033.2025.04.1231
[13]	Wang Yi, Chatterjee P, De R J L. Large eddy simulation of fire plumes, Proceedings of the Combustion Institute[J]. 2011, 33(2): 2473-2480.
[14]	McCaffrey B. Purely buoyant diffusion flames: some experimental results (final report)[R]. NBSIR, 1979.

压强/kPa	50	60	70	80	90	100
13.85 MW 喷射距离/m	2.7	2.72	2.745	2.695	2.733	2.695
31.84 MW 喷射距离/m	2.698	2.712	2.733	2.693	2.721	2.693

[1]	Xi Peng, Sun Fengling, Fan Xiaoping, Tang Xiaoyu, Zhuo Qiming, Ji Hongbing. Experimental study on effect of phosphorus-based flame retardants with different valence states on lithium-ion batteries performance [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2026, 36(5): 73-82.
[2]	LIU Changchun, DU Xue, LI Yushan, XI Haoyue, XU Cheng, XIN Shijie. Experiment and analysis of influence of aperture on performance of compressed air foam jet [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2025, 35(9): 129-136.
[3]	WANG Bo, SHANG Yuhang, YAO Lichao, JIANG Yongqing. Research on power plant dust monitoring node coverage control based on improved genetic algorithm [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2024, 34(9): 121-130.
[4]	PANG Shijun, CHEN Dawei, XI Yanhong. Temperature distribution characteristics of high-speed train fire in low vacuum tunnel [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2024, 34(2): 138-143.
[5]	TAN Tiantian, ZHANG Jiaqing, SHI Yangjin, LI Bo. Experimental study on pressure distribution in full-scale compressed air foam transport pipeline [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2024, 34(10): 152-157.
[6]	AN Weiguang, GUANG Daqing. Temperature distribution and smoke transport characteristics of moving body fire in tunnel [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2023, 33(8): 77-83.
[7]	YAO Jian, BAI Chunhua, ZHANG Chi. Study on explosion characteristics of solid-liquid mixed fuels in low pressure environment [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2023, 33(7): 121-126.
[8]	CHEN Huaqun, YANG Weichao. Hierarchy location optimization of low-altitude flight service station based on risk constraints [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2023, 33(5): 57-65.
[9]	CHEN Feng. Research on identification and management countermeasures of railway insurable risks [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2022, 32(S1): 11-16.
[10]	ZHANG Yang, LI Yong, DANG Wenyi, WANG Yihao, LIU Di. Leakage accident simulation and detection coverage research of typical LNG filling stations [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2022, 32(S1): 108-113.
[11]	XU Tong, TANG Fei, HE Qing. Study on temperature and flame characteristics of ceiling jet induced by wall-attached fire in a tunnel [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2022, 32(7): 93-97.
[12]	HUO Feizhou, DONG Geli, LI Moxiao, MEI Yiyun. Study on location selection of linkage fire stations based on demand level and distance loss [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2022, 32(3): 183-193.
[13]	GAO Yunji, LUO Yueyang, LI Zhisheng, ZHANG Yuchun, YU Yangyang, LI Tao. Experimental study on smoke back-layering length and temperature distribution in bifurcation tunnels [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2022, 32(3): 109-115.
[14]	YU Zhijin, XU Lan, CHEN Shuangshuang, GU Yu, YANG Song. Research on urban fire station layout planning based on model intersection method [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2022, 32(10): 178-185.
[15]	YAO Yongzheng, SONG Kebin, SHI Congling, REN Fei, LI Jian, CHE Honglei. Fire smoke spread characteristics of T-shaped bifurcated tunnel under longitudinal ventilation [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2022, 32(10): 115-120.