Archived News - 2007

Chemguard Gas-Displacement Foam Dilutes CO in Virginia Mine

Flames rise inside Chemguard's test building in Mansfield, TX

Mansfield, Texas, September 17, 2007 - Chemguard chemists developed a specialized Class A foam for use in a Virginia mine shut down by high carbon monoxide (CO) levels. Formulated for compressed air foam systems (CAFS), the Class A foam concentrate can shorten recovery time and cut costs in toxic gases dissipation and fire-fighting operations in subsurface environments.

Chemguard produced the gas-displacement foam at the request of CAFSCO, a Joshua, Texas, firm that specializes in the use of compressed air foam systems (CAFS) for fire protection and control and for management of chemical, medical, and industrial pollution. CAFSCO had been engaged by the mine owners in July after a roof fall had released CO into the working area of the mine, closing the mine and entombing millions of dollars of equipment.

Rather than inject massive amounts of nitrogen into the mine to dilute the CO – an effective but time-consuming and expensive undertaking – CAFSCO worked with Chemguard to develop a nitrogen foam injection plan that would reduce the volume of costly nitrogen and improve the dissipation rate. Because it is a semi-solid, Chemguard’s nitrogen-enhanced foam would displace the toxic gasses while slowly releasing conservative amounts of nitrogen, maintaining dilution in the foamed areas of the mine.  Because of its penetrating and wetting characteristics, the foam would saturate the interior of the mine from floor to ceiling, entering all cracks and crevices, effectively soaking out all sources of ignition.

Chemguard put its chemists to work to provide an important new enhancement to its non-corrosive, non-toxic, and biodegradable Class A fire-fighting foam. Chemguard produced a specialized CAFS-compatible foam suitable for gas displacement and fire fighting in coal mines and other sub-surface environments, as well as for fire suppression of municipal landfill fires and extreme mulch and tire fires. CAFSCO was the first emergency response team to use the enhanced foam.

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Chemguard is a global, full-service, ISO 9001:2000 Certified manufacturer of fire suppression foams, equipment, and systems; specialty pumps; and fluorosurfactant specialty chemicals.  Known for advanced R&D, engineering/design expertise, quality manufacturing, and high-quality, field-tested products, Chemguard provides unmatched customer support.