3 ms·

I'd imagine there are a few problems with approaching this as a solution. This is all just speculation on my part. The weight itself being a problem first off,

I'd imagine there are a few problems with approaching this as a solution. This is all just speculation on my part. The weight itself being a problem first off, as it could cause further damage and even make it easier for the fire to spread. The rate of sublimation would be a problem too, as the outgassing could actually act as an insulating layer, preventing the heat of the fire from actually increasing the release of CO2 at a useful rate to displace the oxygen that is enabling the fire. Additionally, normally it is recommended to work with dry ice in a well-ventilated environment. CO2 is toxic, and also displaces oxygen, creating a significant risk of asphyxiation. With very large volumes such as this, you cannot effectively ventilate, so this could cause risks for those in the surrounding environment, and also makes it impossible for firemen to work in the area. They can't exactly run in with masks and have tanks of oxygen strapped to their backs.

hollerith 8y ago
>makes it impossible for firemen to work in the area. They can't exactly run in with masks and have tanks of oxygen strapped to their backs. I always thought fire fighters do that routinely: breathe from tanks of either oxygen or oxygen mixed with other gases.
- marzell 8y ago
  Actually they breathe compressed air (not specifically higher in oxygen content than uncompressed air) so that would be an option. I'm not sure why I was thinking that this would not be viable. However, as CO2 sinks within normal atmosphere compared with smoke which typically rises, as the dry ice sublimates it becomes much more of a hazard for the area surrounding the fire. For an extreme example of exposure to CO2, see the Lake Nyos disaster [1] that killed people & animals in an area 16 miles around the lake. [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Nyos_disaster https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Nyos_disaster

hollerith 8y ago

>makes it impossible for firemen to work in the area. They can't exactly run in with masks and have tanks of oxygen strapped to their backs. I always thought fire fighters do that routinely: breathe from tanks of either oxygen or oxygen mixed with other gases.

marzell 8y ago
Actually they breathe compressed air (not specifically higher in oxygen content than uncompressed air) so that would be an option. I'm not sure why I was thinking that this would not be viable. However, as CO2 sinks within normal atmosphere compared with smoke which typically rises, as the dry ice sublimates it becomes much more of a hazard for the area surrounding the fire. For an extreme example of exposure to CO2, see the Lake Nyos disaster [1] that killed people & animals in an area 16 miles around the lake. [1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Nyos_disaster https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Nyos_disaster