Foaming performance test of palm oil foaming agent solution for prevention and fire extinguishing on peatland surface

Abstract

Abstract This research aims to test the performance of palm oil foaming agent solution (POFAS) in a laboratory for the prevention and fire extinguishing of a peatland surface. The materials used in this research were POFAS formulas, i.e. NF45 and NF46, at various concentrations of 1%, 2%, 3%, and 6%. Measuring tools and machines used were patternator and spraying measurement tools, a knapsack mist blower for the foam method, a knapsack electric sprayer, and an air blower for the non-foam method. Results of this research showed that the minimum droplet diameter, maximum droplet density, maximum effective spraying width, and minimum effective spraying debit were 452.06 μm, 136.22 droplets cm−2, 72 cm, and 1.47 liter min−1 for foam method, and 452.24 μm, 148.33 droplets cm−2, 56 cm, and 1.84 liter min−1 for non-foam method. In the foam method, the NF45 formula with a concentration of 2% was the most effective POFAS formula for the prevention and extinguishing of the peatland surface because it has the largest ability to cover the peat surface pore spaces. In the non-foam method, the NF46 formula with a concentration of 3% was the most efficient POFAS formula because it has a large effective spraying width and the smallest effective spraying debit so that this POFAS application was the shortest and most efficient in POFAS consumption.