The dissertation is devoted to the solution of an actual scientific and technical problem on revealing features of influence of factors on fire hazard of biodiesel fuel (hereinafter referred to as BDF) and its binary mixes with oil diesel fuel hereinafter referred to as DP), parameters of combustion processes, processes of its cessation in case of use of fire extinguishing agents (hereinafter referred to as FEA) as the scientific basis for improving fire safety systems (hereinafter referred to as FSS) of production facilities and the use of such the alternative biofuel.
Statistics of fires in Ukraine show that among the variety of facilities where fires occur in the country as well as causes and conditions of their occurrence there exists significant segment of fires accompanied by burning of flammable and combustible liquids which include both refined products and products of the oil and fat industry, including alternative types of liquid fuel, I particular, BDF. Every year about 1.5 thousand fires occur in this segment in Ukraine material damage from which reaches UAH 500 to 600 million.
An analysis of the national regulatory framework in the field of fire safety indicates the imperfection of approaches to assessing the level of fire safety of production facilities and the use of BDF as well as its binary mixtures with DF. At the same time, peculiarities of the fire hazard of such fuel, parameters of its combustion processes and termination of combustion in case of interaction with the FEA are not taken into account which can lead to erroneous management decisions and negatively reflect in the fire statistic.
Accordingly, the purpose of the dissertation research is to reveal the peculiarities of the influence of factors on the fire safety of BDF and its binary mixtures with DF, parameters of the combustion processes, processes of its termination in the case of FEA application as well as the efficiency of FSS of the facilities of the production and use of these types of fuels.
The subject of the research is fire hazard of BDF and its binary mixtures with DF, combustion processes and processes of burning cessation with the use of FEA, and FSS of the facilities of production and use of these types of fuel.
It was established that for a typical BDF production facility, taking into account the requirements of the national regulatory framework, the level of fire hazard was unacceptable and its FSS needed improvement.
Principal fire hazard factors of BDF and influence of the ratio of components of BDF in binary mixtures with BF on these indicators, as well as the parameters of their combustion processes were revealed. It was established that BDF had lower fire hazard compared to DF, but peculiarity of its combustion process was presence of indications characteristic of the processes of heating and burning of fats of vegetable and animal origin. The most effective FEA suitable for putting-out BDF and its binary mixtures with DF were identified.
Parameters of application of different types of FEA by fire-fighting equipment in case of fighting fire involving BDF and its binary mixtures with DF were substantiated and proposals for improving efficiency of FSS of the facilities of production and use of such types of fuels were developed.
Hretener’s method for estimating fire safety level of the facilities with BDF presence was improved, which, given the correct choice of the type and parameters of application of FEA by an automatic fire-fighting system (hereinafter referred to as AFFS), would reduce their fire hazard to an acceptable level and, accordingly, to provide adequate fire protection.
Proposals for the improvement of fire safety systems for the facilities of production and use of biodiesel fuel were arranged.
The results obtained during performing of the dissertation work will contribute to the improvement of FSS of domestic BDF production and use facilities of BJP by taking them into account when filling the fire safety subsystems with specific reasonable organizational measures, design, technical and technological decisions etc. which affect fire hazard level of such facilities. In turn, this improvement is aimed at implementing the Energy Strategy of Ukraine for the period up to 2035 "Security, energy efficiency, competitiveness" which provides for increasing the level of environmental and energy security of the state, creation incentives for widespread use of gas and alternative (oil) fuels, and increase the share of local alternative fuels in local fuel and energy balances to 20 % of the total consumption by the end of 2035.
