A fire extinguishing agent

Abstract

This invention discloses a fire extinguishing agent, relating to the field of fire extinguishing agent production technology. The fire extinguishing agent comprises a foaming agent, an emulsifier, a foam stabilizer, an antifreeze agent, a preservative, and water. The volume ratio of the foaming agent, emulsifier, foam stabilizer, antifreeze agent, preservative, and water is (25-40):(3-5):(25-40):(0.1-3):(2-41.9). The foaming agent comprises ionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants, with a volume ratio of ionic surfactants to nonionic surfactants of 1:(5-45). The foaming agent reduces the conductivity of the fire extinguishing agent, resulting in a conductivity of <20 μS / cm for the original solution and a conductivity of less than 100 μS / cm for the generated foam, making it suitable for extinguishing battery-related fires. When used in conjunction with a compressed air foam system, this fire extinguishing agent can produce uniform and stable fire extinguishing foam under different mixing ratios, gas-liquid ratios, and operating pressures.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fire extinguishing agent production technology, and in particular to a fire extinguishing agent. Background Technology

[0002] Battery fires, especially lithium-ion battery fires, are characterized by rapid spread, high temperatures, release of toxic gases, and potential explosion risks, which pose numerous challenges to firefighting efforts.

[0003] Currently available extinguishing agents for battery fires include perfluorohexanone, aerosol extinguishing agents, water spray extinguishing agents, low-expansion foam extinguishing agents, and compressed air foam for Class A solid fires.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned inactivating agents have the following drawbacks: 1) Perfluorohexanone, aerosols, water sprays, and other extinguishing agents cannot accurately reach the ignition point and have low extinguishing intensity; in addition, water sprays may cause battery short circuits; 2) Traditional low-expansion foam extinguishing agents, such as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) extinguishing agents, have poor foam stability when applied to battery fires. 、 3) The compressed air foam used for Class A solid material fires has a conductivity greater than 2 mS / cm and is not suitable for extinguishing compound fires when batteries are burning; 4) In addition, the current foam inactivating agents have a high mixing ratio, require a large storage space, and have higher energy consumption for transmission and supply. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a fire extinguishing agent that has a low mixing ratio, stable foam state, and low electrical conductivity.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a fire extinguishing agent comprising a foaming agent, an emulsifier, a foam stabilizer, an antifreeze agent, a preservative, and water, wherein the mass ratio of the foaming agent, emulsifier, foam stabilizer, antifreeze agent, preservative, and water is (25-40):(3-5):(25-40):(0.1-3):(2-41.9).

[0007] The foaming agent includes ionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants, and the mass ratio of ionic surfactants to nonionic surfactants in the foaming agent is 1:(5-45).

[0008] In one embodiment, the ionic surfactant includes any one of sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium cocoyl ether sulfate, and sodium lauroyl amphoteric acetate.

[0009] In one embodiment, the nonionic surfactant includes any one of alkyl glucoside, alkylphenol polyoxyethylene ether, and fatty acid polyoxyethylene ester.

[0010] In one embodiment, the emulsifier includes any one of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, triethanolamine, and benzylphenol polyoxyethylene ether formaldehyde condensate.

[0011] In one embodiment, the foam stabilizer comprises a mixture of polyethylene oxide and alcohol ethers, wherein the polyethylene oxide comprises any one of polyethylene oxide PEO200, PEO200000, and PEO20, and the alcohol ethers comprise one or two of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol butyl ether, and 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol.

[0012] In one embodiment, the mass ratio of the polyoxyethylene and alcohol ether mixture in the foam stabilizer is 1:(5-45).

[0013] In one embodiment, the antifreeze agent includes any one of ethanol, ethylene glycol, isoethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerol.

[0014] In one embodiment, the preservative includes one or two of methylisothiazolinone, chloromethylthiazolinone, benzoic acid, and potassium sorbate.

[0015] This invention proposes a fire extinguishing agent in which a foaming agent reduces the conductivity of the extinguishing agent, resulting in a conductivity of <20 μS / cm for the original solution and <100 μS / cm for the generated foam, making it suitable for extinguishing battery-related fires and exhibiting excellent anti-reignition effects. An antifreeze agent lowers the freezing point of the extinguishing agent, allowing it to be used in low-temperature environments and can be mixed with hard water and seawater. The minimum mixing ratio of the extinguishing agent of this invention is 0.7%, reducing the space required for foam storage and lowering usage costs. Furthermore, when used in conjunction with a compressed air foam system, this extinguishing agent can produce structurally uniform and stable fire extinguishing foam under different mixing ratios, gas-liquid ratios, and operating pressures. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Where specific conditions are not specified in the embodiments, conventional conditions or conditions recommended by the manufacturer shall apply. Where the manufacturers of reagents or instruments are not specified, they are all conventional products that can be purchased commercially. Furthermore, the meaning of "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, or solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. In addition, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0017] Battery fires, especially lithium-ion battery fires, are characterized by rapid spread, high temperatures, release of toxic gases, and potential explosion risks, which pose numerous challenges to firefighting efforts.

[0018] Currently available extinguishing agents for battery fires include perfluorohexanone, aerosol extinguishing agents, water spray extinguishing agents, low-expansion foam extinguishing agents, and compressed air foam for Class A solid fires.

[0019] While fire extinguishing agents such as perfluorohexanone, aerosols, and water spray are effective to some extent, they have drawbacks such as being unable to accurately reach the ignition point, failing to achieve cooling, and having low extinguishing intensity. Furthermore, water spray may cause battery short circuits.

[0020] Traditional low-expansion foam extinguishing agents, such as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), are effective in extinguishing liquid fires, but their foam stability is poor when used in battery fires. 、 It has drawbacks such as low fire extinguishing efficiency, high electrical conductivity, easy reignition, and easy electrolysis to produce hydrogen, which can cause explosions. At the same time, AFFF fire extinguishing agent contains PFT (fluorinated surfactant), which is stable, non-degradable, difficult for the human body to metabolize, and highly biotoxic. Its chemical bonds can only be broken at temperatures above 1800°C, which makes it prone to causing environmental and health problems after use.

[0021] Compressed air foam used for Class A solid fires has advantages such as high kinetic energy, pre-generated extinguishing agent at the front end, and adjustable mixing and expansion ratio. However, its conductivity is greater than 2 mS / cm, and it is not suitable for extinguishing complex fires involving battery combustion.

[0022] Furthermore, commonly used foam extinguishing agents are typically produced with mixing ratios of 1%, 3%, and 6%. The mixing ratio refers to the percentage content of the foam concentrate in the final foam mixture. A higher mixing ratio requires more storage space and higher energy consumption for transport and supply. However, reducing the mixing ratio, i.e., the water content of the foam concentrate, can easily lead to component separation or an increase in the overall viscosity of the foam concentrate.

[0023] In view of this, the present invention provides a fire extinguishing agent comprising a foaming agent, an emulsifier, a foam stabilizer, an antifreeze agent, a preservative, and water, wherein the mass ratio of the foaming agent, emulsifier, foam stabilizer, antifreeze agent, preservative, and water is (25-40):(3-5):(25-40):(0.1-3):(2-41.9); wherein the foaming agent comprises ionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants, and the mass ratio of ionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants in the foaming agent is 1:(5-45).

[0024] In the technical solution of this invention, the composition and proportion of the foaming agent effectively reduce the conductivity of the extinguishing agent, resulting in a conductivity of <20 μS / cm for the original solution and <100 μS / cm for the generated foam. This makes it suitable for extinguishing battery-related fires and provides excellent resistance to reignition. The antifreeze agent lowers the freezing point of the extinguishing agent, allowing it to be used in low-temperature environments. It can also be mixed with hard water and seawater, meaning the extinguishing agent of this invention can maintain high performance in various environments, including extremely low temperatures and use in hard water or seawater. This makes it a very flexible and reliable fire extinguishing solution. The minimum mixing ratio of the extinguishing agent of this invention is 0.7%, making it a highly concentrated extinguishing agent. This concentration reduces the space required for foam storage and lowers usage costs. Furthermore, when used in conjunction with a compressed air foam system, the extinguishing agent of this invention can produce structurally uniform and stable extinguishing foam under different mixing ratios, gas-liquid ratios, and operating pressures.

[0025] The mass ratio of foaming agent, emulsifier, foam stabilizer, antifreeze, preservative, and water can be 25:5:40:3:41.9, 40:3:25:0.1:2, or 30:4:30:2.5:13. This range of mass ratios is mainly to adjust the performance of the extinguishing agent to adapt to different usage environments and needs.

[0026] Composite foaming agents, composed of ionic and nonionic surfactants, can generate stable and durable foam more efficiently, while improving foam coverage. This makes them more suitable for extinguishing various fires, including battery fires, and enhancing their inactivation efficacy. These two surfactants differ in chemical properties, and their combination can produce a synergistic effect, thereby improving foam performance.

[0027] The mass ratio of ionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant in the foaming agent can be 1:45, 1:30, or 1:5. Within a suitable range, this mass ratio ensures good surface activity and maintains low overall solution conductivity. It exhibits good foaming performance in compressed air foam systems under foaming conditions of 3 to 20 times.

[0028] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ionic surfactant includes any one of sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium cocoyl ether sulfate, and sodium lauroyl amphoteric acetate. Compared with other ionic surfactants, the above-mentioned ionic surfactants have better hydrophilicity, can significantly reduce the surface tension of water at lower concentrations, and form a stable micelle structure, which is beneficial to the formation and stabilization of foam.

[0029] In some embodiments of the present invention, the nonionic surfactant includes any one of alkyl glucoside, alkylphenol polyoxyethylene ether, and fatty acid polyoxyethylene ester. Compared with other nonionic surfactants, the above-mentioned nonionic surfactants have better emulsifying, dispersing, and wetting abilities; they are stable over a wide pH range, are not easily affected by hard water, and can better stabilize foam.

[0030] Choosing the aforementioned ionic and nonionic surfactants as foaming agents can effectively reduce the conductivity of the extinguishing agent concentrate and the conductivity of the final foam. Under low conductivity conditions, the probability of battery short circuits decreases, and thermal runaway and secondary reactions inside the battery can be effectively suppressed, reducing the risk of reignition and explosion.

[0031] In some embodiments of the present invention, the emulsifier includes any one of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, triethanolamine, and benzylphenol polyoxyethylene ether formaldehyde condensate. The above emulsifiers can effectively promote the mixing of the oil phase and water of the foaming agent, increasing the stability and adhesion of the foam.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present invention, the foam stabilizer comprises a mixture of polyethylene oxide and alcohol ethers, wherein the polyethylene oxide comprises any one of polyethylene oxide PEO200, PEO200000, and PEO20, and the alcohol ether comprises one or two of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol butyl ether, and 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol. The function of the foam stabilizer is to maintain the structural integrity of the foam, ensuring its durability even under high-pressure spraying. Combining PEO and alcohol ether compounds combines the advantages of both. PEO provides high viscosity and foam stability, while the alcohol ether compounds further reduce surface tension and promote foam formation.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present invention, the mass ratio of the polyethylene oxide and alcohol ether mixture in the foam stabilizer is 1:(5-45). The mass ratio of the polyethylene oxide and alcohol ether mixture in the foam stabilizer can be 1:45, 1:35 or 1:5, and such a mass ratio within a suitable range can ensure that the generated foam is relatively stable.

[0034] In some embodiments of the present invention, the antifreeze agent includes any one of ethanol, ethylene glycol, isoethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerol. The above-mentioned antifreeze agents can effectively lower the freezing point of the extinguishing agent components, allowing the extinguishing agent to maintain its fluidity and effectiveness under cold conditions.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present invention, the preservative includes one or two of methylisothiazolinone, chloromethylthiazolinone, benzoic acid, and potassium sorbate. These preservatives effectively prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi, extending the shelf life of the fire extinguishing agent.

[0036] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following embodiments are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0037] Example 1

[0038] A fire extinguishing agent comprises a composite foaming agent of sodium dodecyl sulfate and alkyl glucoside (foaming agent), polyoxyethylene dehydrated sorbitan monooleate (emulsifier), a composite foam stabilizer of polyethylene oxide (PEO200) and ethylene glycol (foam stabilizer), ethanol (antifreeze agent), methylisothiazolinone (preservative), and water, wherein the mass ratio of the foaming agent, emulsifier, foam stabilizer, antifreeze agent, preservative, and water is 25:5:40:3:41.9; the mass ratio of sodium dodecyl sulfate to alkyl glucoside in the composite foaming agent is 1:45; and the mass ratio of polyethylene oxide to the alcohol ether mixture in the composite foam stabilizer is 1:45.

[0039] Example 2

[0040] A fire extinguishing agent comprises a composite foaming agent of sodium dodecyl sulfate and alkyl glucoside (foaming agent), polyoxyethylene dehydrated sorbitan monooleate (emulsifier), a composite foam stabilizer of polyethylene oxide (PEO200) and ethylene glycol (foam stabilizer), ethanol (antifreeze agent), methylisothiazolinone (preservative), and water, wherein the mass ratio of the foaming agent, emulsifier, foam stabilizer, antifreeze agent, preservative, and water is 30:4:30:2.5:13; the mass ratio of sodium dodecyl sulfate to alkyl glucoside in the composite foaming agent is 1:30; and the mass ratio of polyethylene oxide to the alcohol ether mixture in the composite foam stabilizer is 1:25.

[0041] Example 3

[0042] A fire extinguishing agent comprises a composite foaming agent of sodium dodecyl sulfate and alkyl glucoside (foaming agent), polyoxyethylene dehydrated sorbitan monooleate (emulsifier), a composite foam stabilizer of polyethylene oxide (PEO200) and ethylene glycol (foam stabilizer), ethanol (antifreeze agent), methylisothiazolinone (preservative), and water, wherein the mass ratio of the foaming agent, emulsifier, foam stabilizer, antifreeze agent, preservative, and water is 40:3:25:0.1:2; the mass ratio of sodium dodecyl sulfate to alkyl glucoside in the composite foaming agent is 1:5; and the mass ratio of polyethylene oxide to the alcohol ether mixture in the composite foam stabilizer is 1:5.

[0043] Performance testing

[0044] The performance of the extinguishing agents in Examples 1-3 was tested. The test method referred to the standard compressed air foam generating device specified in GB 27897-2011 "Class A Foam Extinguishing Agents" and combined with the physicochemical property determination method specified in GB 15308-2006 "Foam Extinguishing Agents" and the thermal runaway test method specified in GB / T 31485 "Safety Requirements and Test Methods for Power Batteries for Electric Vehicles". The performance of the extinguishing agents in Examples 1-3 was tested at a mixing ratio of 0.7%, and the results are shown in Table 1.

[0045] The electrical conductivity of the extinguishing agents in Examples 1 to 3 was tested using a conductivity meter, and the results are shown in Table 1.

[0046] Table 1. Test results of extinguishing agent performance in Examples 1-3

[0047]

[0048]

[0049] In summary, the fire extinguishing agent provided by this invention has a low freezing point, is suitable for low-temperature environments, has good extinguishing performance, and low conductivity, making it suitable for fighting battery fires.

[0050] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fire extinguishing agent, characterized in that, It includes a foaming agent, an emulsifier, a foam stabilizer, an antifreeze agent, a preservative, and water, wherein the mass ratio of the foaming agent, emulsifier, foam stabilizer, antifreeze agent, preservative, and water is (25-40):(3-5):(25-40):(0.1-3):(2-41.9). The foaming agent comprises ionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants, wherein the mass ratio of ionic surfactants to nonionic surfactants in the foaming agent is 1:(5-45); the ionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate; and the nonionic surfactant is alkyl glucoside. The foam stabilizer comprises a mixture of polyethylene oxide and alcohol ethers, wherein the polyethylene oxide comprises any one of polyethylene oxide PEO200, PEO200000, and PEO20, and the alcohol ethers comprise one or two of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol butyl ether, and 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol. The mass ratio of the mixture of polyethylene oxide and alcohol ethers in the foam stabilizer is 1:(5-45).

2. The extinguishing agent as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The emulsifier includes any one of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, triethanolamine, and benzylphenol polyoxyethylene ether formaldehyde condensate.

3. The extinguishing agent as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The antifreeze agent includes any one of ethanol, ethylene glycol, isoethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerol.

4. The extinguishing agent as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The preservatives include one or two of methylisothiazolinone, chloromethylthiazolinone, benzoic acid, and potassium sorbate.

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