DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION
Element is a manual, portable aerosol fire extinguisher. It uses a Potassium powder jet
(a unique method among fire extinguishers) that employs the vaporization of the powder
in the environment followed by the condensation of its extinguishing substance. Element
works by interrupting a fire’s chain of reaction (the “auto-catalyst” of the fire).
Element is composed of stable, solid minerals; it does not contain gas and is not
pressurized. The aerosol-like jet is only produced when the charger is struck with its
base. The produced aerosol jet is free of thrust and is essentially an inert salt that emits
gas already present in the atmosphere.
This process allows Element to extinguish all types of fires through saturation, while its
slow bio-degradation in the environment, furthers the prevention of subsequent fires.
The extinguishing process involves two different reactions: one is physical and the
other, chemical.
The physical reaction relates to potassium’s tendency to oxidize rapidly in air. When in
contact with air, alkaline salts consume great quantities of oxygen, thus depriving fires
of oxygen.
The chemical reaction is created through the stable link between potassium particles
and the fire’s combustion particles.
Through the two reactions, a quick oxidation process takes place, immediately
transforming the jet from a solid state into a gaseous state freeing the potassium
particles. These atoms are able to intercept and interrupt any other free particles
produced by the fire’s natural chain reaction combustion process.
Potassium has strong inhibitor qualities due to its weak ionization energies. The
extinguishing agent being used is composed of Potassium Nitrate, organic oxidizer, and
plasticizer resin.
When Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) discharges from the extinguisher it vaporizes in the
environment followed by the condensation of its extinguishing substance. When it reacts
(inside the body of the extinguisher) it breaks down and the aerosol that is formed is
made up primarily of free radicals of Potassium K+, of Nitrogen N (an inert gas), and
water vapor.
The aerosol that comes out of the unit reacts with the fire. Potassium radicals (K+)
capture the Oxygen of the combustion thereby extinguishing it.
At the end of the extinguishing process, the following is discharged to the atmosphere:
As a solid: particles of Potassium (that have reacted with the Oxygen of the fire) having
a size between 3-4 microns. These particles are invisible at sight and heavier than air.
They disperse in the atmosphere and tend to deposit on the ground in no appreciable
amounts.
As a gas: As Nitrogen; an inert gas already present in the air we breathe at more or
less 78%.
As water vapor (and lastly) extremely minimal toxic by-products that are a result of the
combustion process.
The chemical reaction is as follows:
Stage 1: Fire is initiated by the flame chain carriers: O, H and OH
Stage 2: The Element aerosol introduces Potassium radicals (K) into the flame chain
reaction
Stage 3: K radicals attach themselves to O, H and OH and remove them from the flame
reaction without depleting surrounding Oxygen
