Firefighting foam face-off: CDU’s quest for a greener blaze buster

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is turning up the heat on innovative, eco-friendly solutions with their latest project aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of fluorine-free firefighting foams (F3).

As global efforts intensify to phase out PFAS-based foams—dubbed ‘forever chemicals’ for their environmental persistence—CDU’s initiative, supported by the United States Department of Defense, aims to create safer and just as effective alternatives.

PFAS foams are currently the gold standard for quenching fiery outbreaks but have significant environmental and health repercussions. In response, CDU’s Distinguished Research Professor Bogdan Dlugogorski and Senior Lecturer in Chemistry Dr Vinuthaa Murthy are at the helm of developing next-gen F3 foams that could close the performance gap without the ecological fallout.

Professor Dlugogorski explained, “Due to regulatory pressures to eliminate PFAS, fluorine-free firefighting foams are being developed as environmentally safer alternatives. However, current F3 foams do not match the performance of AFFF in critical fire suppression scenarios.”

The team is deeply involved in redefining how these foams interact with fuels—a process crucial in preventing re-ignition of fires. While PFAS-based foams can absorb between 50 to 90 percent of fuel, making them highly effective, F3 foams currently lag behind, absorbing only 20 to 50 percent.

The implications of their work stretch beyond firefighting. “If the project develops new technology, this technology could be transferable everywhere—where emulsion/foam type materials are used and need to be stabilized, from ice cream to mayonnaise to emulsion explosives,” added Professor Dlugogorski.

This spirited endeavour not only promises to keep fires at bay but also to do so in a way that’s kinder to our planet. CDU’s cutting-edge research is blazing a trail towards a future where fighting fires won’t mean fighting the well-being of our environment.

Picture: credit CDU