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Poster Presentation 5-26
Use of Face Mask for Breathing in Foam Environment
Prabhani U. Atukorale, David N. Jewell, Michelle L. Pinson, Alison E. Wardle, Wenyan Zhu, Douglas M. Ackermann Jr., Matthew L. Stedman and Robert D. Tanner
Department of Chemical Engineering Vanderbilt University School of Engineering Box 1604, Station B Nashville, TN 37235
Telephone: (615) 322-2061; Fax: (615) 343-7951; Email: rtanner@vuse.vanderbilt.edu
Protein foam is an effective fire extinguisher because it prevents oxygen from reaching the flames. Egg albumin is a hydrophobic protein that can be used to produce foam, which is non-toxic and effective in fire suppression. Protein foam has been limited to only extinguishing fires in non-populated areas because of the difficulty it presents to breathing. The proposed methodology may allow breathing in such conditions. Initial tests have been undertaken by five people for the ability to breathe in a foam environment. A 3M Nexcare latex-containing face mask was employed for periods of up to five minutes. Breathing rates and respiration volumes were measured for the unaltered mask and for masks with differing numbers of augmented holes of 1 mm and 2 mm in diameter per 3.14 square centimeters.
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