Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion
A revolutionary new technology designed for lithium battery fires
What is AVD?
AVD is an aqueous dispersion of chemically exfoliated vermiculite. It is applied to lithium battery fires as a mist, extinguishing them and preventing the propagation of the fire.
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral of hydrated laminar aluminum-iron-magnesium silicates. It is both chemically and physically inert. Consisting of thin, flat flakes containing microscopic layers of water.
The chemical exfoliation of vermiculite produces microscopic, individual platelets that are freely suspended in water. This yields a stable aqueous dispersion of vermiculite to be used as a lithium battery fire extinguishing agent.
Is AVD Safe?
AVD is non-toxic to humans, plant life and animals. It is environmentally safe with no Global Warming Potential (GWP) and only releases steam when exposed to the raised temperatures of a fire.
How does AVD work?
It effectively creates a non-flammable oxygen barrier while providing a cooling effect on the fire source.
The vermiculite particles within the mist are deposited on the surface of the burning fuel to create a film over the top of the fire. The film instantly dries and, because the high aspect ratio platelet particles overlap and bind together producing a non-flammable oxygen barrier between the fuel and the atmosphere.
This process has a cooling effect on the fuel source and, as the water content in AVD is evaporated, the vermiculite platelets begin to build up and the fire is brought under control.
What are the benefits of AVD?
AVD fire suppression agent provides a unique solution to the otherwise unsolved problem of lithium battery fire protection. AVD’s exceptional performance includes the following:
Water content cools the fire source through rapid endothermic process
Vermiculite platelets encapsulate the fuel source creating an oxygen barrier film
The vermiculite film is not electrically conductive
AVD is nearly twice as effective as water on a class A fires
AVD can be applied as a fire break to prevent the propagation of fire
AVD is non-toxic and environmentally friendly
