- Purple-K
Purple-K is a dry chemical fire suppression agent used in some dry powder
fire extinguisher s. It is the most effective dry chemical in fighting class B (flammable liquid)fire s, and can be used against some energized electrical equipment fires (USA class C fires). It has about 4-5 times more effectiveness against class B fires thancarbon dioxide , and more than twice that ofsodium bicarbonate . Some fire extinguishers are capable of operation in temperatures down to -54 °C or up to +49 °C. Dry Chemical Powder works by directly inhibiting the chemical chain reaction which forms one of the four sides of thefire tetrahedron (Heat + Oxygen + Fuel + Chemical Chain Reaction = Fire). To a much smaller degree it also has a smothering effect - excluding oxygen from the fire.Characteristics
Purple-K powder has an acrid taste and odor, is free-flowing, floating on most liquids, non-abrasive, does not wet with water and is compatible with most
Foam Concentrates . It has violet color, to distinguish it from other dry agents. Its principal component ispotassium bicarbonate (78-82 weight %), with addition ofsodium bicarbonate (12-15%),mica (1-3%) ,Fuller's earth (1-3%) , amorphoussilica (0.2-1%) , and is madehydrophobic bymethyl hydrogen polysiloxane (0.2-1%) .Purple-K is non-toxic. Ingestion of large amount can cause
alkalosis . In high temperatures it decomposes tocarbon dioxide andpotassium oxide . It is corrosive.Uses
Purple-K is commonly used in oil refineries, airport ramps, service stations, military facilities, and other places where flammable liquids are handled. It is often paired with foam in
Twin Agent systems, usually found fitted to ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting) appliances.Purple-K is used in many forms, from small handheld fire extinguishers to large mobile and stationary units, including fixed-nozzle piping systems.
Cleanup of spent agent can be difficult, as it creates a mess when discharged. If the spent agent is dry it can be removed by suction, but when combined with water, hydrocarbons and other liquids, it forms a thick crusty scum that can be challenging to remove.
Purple-K should never be mixed with
phosphate -based fire suppression agents (ABC Dry Chemical ), as the resulting chemical reaction will destroy its efficiency.Other uses of the name "Purple-K"
Purple-K is also a brand of
dietary supplement creatine .Variocrom Magic Purple K is a
pigment based on gamma-iron(III) oxide s andsilica , used inplastics industry .References
External links
* U.S. Naval Research Laboratory [http://www.nrl.navy.mil/content.php?P=PURPLEK Purple-K-Powder]
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