Limestone-Derived Fire Suppression Systems: A Sustainable Dual-Phase Framework for Materials Engineering


Authors : Biruk Demessie Girmu

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 9 - September


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/sjkuuazn

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/mrxpaeym

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25sep416

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.


Abstract : Fire suppression remains a critical concern for households, industries, and municipalities. Traditional agents such as halons, phosphate powders, and foams have been effective, but they pose risks related to toxicity, environmental damage, and cost (Babrauskas, 2003; UNEP, 2020). This paper introduces a conceptual framework for sustainable fire suppression technologies derived from limestone (CaCO3), emphasizing their potential to provide eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives to conventional extinguishers. The proposed approach highlights the conversion of limestone into calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH)2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), creating a dual suppression mechanism: thermal absorption, chemical neutralization, and oxygen displacement. The study integrates a review of existing suppression methods, the thermodynamics of limestone transformations, and a proposed methodology for production and testing. The framework aligns fire safety with green chemistry and circular economy principles (Anastas & Warner, 2000), while case-based reflections demonstrate potential applications across cement plants, residential complexes, transportation, and electrical systems. Key strengths such as abundance, affordability, and sustainability are discussed alongside limitations, including storage challenges and CO2 handling risks. The findings suggest that limestone-derived suppressants could reshape material engineering by advancing sustainable mineral applications, optimizing particle properties for enhanced performance, and promoting industrial reuse of CO2. While conceptual in nature, this work establishes the foundation for future research involving experimental validation, nanostructured formulations, hybrid systems, and real-world trials.

Keywords : Fire Suppression, Calcium Hydroxide, Carbon Dioxide, Limestone, Sustainability, Material Engineering, Circular Economy.

References :

  1. Anastas, P. T., & Warner, J. C. (2000). Green chemistry: Theory and practice. Oxford University Press.
  2. Babrauskas, V. (2003). Ignition handbook. Fire Science Publishers.
  3. Boynton, R. S. (1980). Chemistry and technology of lime and limestone (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
  4. Chen, X., Xu, Y., Li, Z., & Liu, J. (2021). Bio-based fire retardants: Current trends and future perspectives. Progress in Organic Coatings, 151, 106041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2020.106041
  5. Drysdale, D. (2011). An introduction to fire dynamics (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
  6. Kaczmarek, M. (2018). Carbon dioxide as a fire suppression agent: Benefits and limitations. Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, 28(1), 23–36. https://doi.org/10.1177/1042391517739752
  7. Liu, Y., Zhang, H., & Sun, J. (2020). Performance and residue analysis of dry chemical extinguishing agents. Fire Safety Journal, 113, 102978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2020.102978
  8. Morgan, A. B., & Wilkie, C. A. (2014). Flame retardant polymer nanocomposites. John Wiley & Sons.
  9. Qian, L., Guo, C., & Wang, Y. (2019). Advances in nanomaterial-based fire retardants. Materials Today, 23, 61–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2018.11.001
  10. Seow, J. (2013). Firefighting foams with perfluorochemicals—Environmental review. United Nations Environment Programme.
  11. Sharma, R., & Prasad, B. (2019). Thermal decomposition of calcium hydroxide: Kinetics and applications. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 138(1), 441–450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-019-08123-5
  12. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2020). Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer: 2019 assessment report of the Scientific Assessment Panel. UNEP.

Fire suppression remains a critical concern for households, industries, and municipalities. Traditional agents such as halons, phosphate powders, and foams have been effective, but they pose risks related to toxicity, environmental damage, and cost (Babrauskas, 2003; UNEP, 2020). This paper introduces a conceptual framework for sustainable fire suppression technologies derived from limestone (CaCO3), emphasizing their potential to provide eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives to conventional extinguishers. The proposed approach highlights the conversion of limestone into calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH)2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), creating a dual suppression mechanism: thermal absorption, chemical neutralization, and oxygen displacement. The study integrates a review of existing suppression methods, the thermodynamics of limestone transformations, and a proposed methodology for production and testing. The framework aligns fire safety with green chemistry and circular economy principles (Anastas & Warner, 2000), while case-based reflections demonstrate potential applications across cement plants, residential complexes, transportation, and electrical systems. Key strengths such as abundance, affordability, and sustainability are discussed alongside limitations, including storage challenges and CO2 handling risks. The findings suggest that limestone-derived suppressants could reshape material engineering by advancing sustainable mineral applications, optimizing particle properties for enhanced performance, and promoting industrial reuse of CO2. While conceptual in nature, this work establishes the foundation for future research involving experimental validation, nanostructured formulations, hybrid systems, and real-world trials.

Keywords : Fire Suppression, Calcium Hydroxide, Carbon Dioxide, Limestone, Sustainability, Material Engineering, Circular Economy.

CALL FOR PAPERS


Paper Submission Last Date
31 - December - 2025

Video Explanation for Published paper

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe