Synthesis and Thermal Behavior of a Struvite-Based Fine Powder Fire-Extinguishing Agent.

We assess the feasibility of using struvite as a component of a fire-extinguishing powder agent. A fine-particle crystalline MgNH₄PO₄⋅6H₂O hydrate (struvite) has been synthesized in the presence of different surfactants. We have optimized conditions for the preparation of a fine-particle crystalline hydrate so as to exclude a comminution step, without distorting its crystal structure. The thermal decomposition of the crystalline hydrates synthesized in the presence of the surfactants has been shown to be accompanied by a considerable heat absorption, which can be used to lower the temperature of a fire source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]