Mobile mixing equipment deployed at a base of fire-fighting aircraft to provide fire retardant product

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant products are disclosed. In one aspect, a mobile mixing device deployed at a firefighting aircraft base to provide a RTU flame retardant product comprising at least one flame retardant salt for loading onto a firefighting aircraft includes a liquid concentrate (LC) storage tank. The mobile mixing device also includes an automatic proportioning valve that controls the mixing of LC and water to provide the RTU flame retardant product. The mobile mixing device includes at least one controller communicatively coupled to one or more sensors configured to monitor various aspects of the mixing device operation, the LC flame retardant, and the RTU flame retardant product, including storage and flow parameters.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 557,180, filed February 23, 2024, entitled “Mobile Mix Plants for Deployment at Airtanker Bases to Provide Fire Retardant Products,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology

[0003] Long-lasting flame retardants contain flame retardant salts that reduce fire intensity and slow the spread of forest fires. These flame retardants are traditionally supplied in the form of dry powder or liquid concentrate (LC) and mixed with water, where the resulting “ready-to-use” (RTU) mixture improves the effectiveness of water and its ability to adhere to fuel. USDA Forest Service Specification 5100-304d, attached to this document as Appendix 1, provides specifications for long-lasting flame retardants for field fire suppression in the United States (these specifications have also been adopted by several other countries). As of September 2022, examples of some long-lasting flame retardants certified by the USDA Forest Service for field fire management under Forest Service Specification 5100-304d are listed in Appendix 2, which relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 557,180, and is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] As described above, long-lasting flame retardants are traditionally prepared in centralized manufacturing facilities to form dry powder or liquid concentrates (LCs). These dry powders or LCs are then transported to deployment areas, such as firefighting aircraft bases supporting aerial fire management operations. At these bases, the dry powder or LC flame retardant is mixed with water to form ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant products, which are then loaded onto various types of aircraft deployed at or near the fire scene to deliver the RTU products. Examples of various aircraft used for delivering flame retardants to fires include: single-engine firefighting aircraft (SEATs) with a flame retardant capacity of 800 gallons or less; large firefighting aircraft (LATs) with a flame retardant capacity of up to 8,000 gallons (e.g., 2,000–4,000 gallons); and very large firefighting aircraft (VLATs) with a flame retardant capacity exceeding 8,000 gallons.

[0005] The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has published an interagency guideline on the planning and establishment of fire retardant aircraft bases. This guideline, relating to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 557,180 as Appendix 3 (Interagency Fire Retardant Base Planning Guidelines, February 2006), is incorporated herein by reference. The NWCG's Operational Standards for Firefighting Aircraft Bases, relating to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 557,180 as Appendix 4 (NWCG Operational Standards for Firefighting Aircraft Bases, PMS 508, June 2022), is also incorporated herein by reference.

[0006] At a given fire retardant firefighting aircraft base, a "mix master" is a qualified person who mixes dry powder or LC with water in specified proportions (e.g., see Annex 1 and Annex 2) to prepare ready-to-use (RTU) fire retardant products to be loaded onto the firefighting aircraft. The mix master works in a fire retardant "mixing plant" constructed in the firefighting aircraft loading area (or "pit area") of the firefighting aircraft base, which includes various devices to facilitate the mixing of dry powder or LC with water. Figure 1 The various components of a conventional LC mixing plant at a firefighting aircraft base are shown.

[0007] like Figure 1 As shown, particularly regarding liquid concentrate (LC) flame retardants, conventional LC mixing plants include at least one storage tank containing the LC flame retardant. (The remaining text appears to be incomplete and requires further context.) Figure 1 Examples of conventional LC flame retardants diluted and blended in conventional LC blending plants, as shown, include PHOS-CHEK. ® The LC95 series and LCE20-FX liquid concentrates have viscosities ranging from approximately 100 to 400 centipoise (cP).

[0008] Figure 1 The conventional LC mixing plant shown also includes a water tank and a manually operated proportioning valve to mix the LC flame retardant with water according to a specified mixing ratio, thereby producing a ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant product (“mixture”). A conventional LC mixing plant will also include a gas-driven loading pump to load the RTU flame retardant product onto a firefighting aircraft, and various pipes (e.g., four-inch diameter pipes or hoses) to interconnect the LC tank, water tank, manually operated proportioning valve, and loading pump. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, this type of conventional LC mixing plant requires no electricity to operate.

[0009] like Figure 1As shown, a flow meter is required at the outlet of the loading pump to detect the flow rate (e.g., gallons / minute) and density (or specific gravity) of the RTU flame retardant product as it is loaded onto the firefighting aircraft. As noted in Appendix 3 (Interagency Flame Retardant Base Planning Guide, February 2006, p. 40), the USDA Forest Service requires the use of mass flow meters in all aircraft loading applications “to ensure that safe aircraft loading limits are not exceeded, to help optimize payload, and to ensure reasonable payment to flame retardant contractors.” The mass flow meter must be installed in the loading line so that the density of the RTU product for each aircraft load is quantified and monitored. As noted in Appendix 3 (Interagency Flame Retardant Base Planning Guide, February 2006, p. 35), the target flame retardant delivery rate is 400 to 500 gallons / minute for large firefighting aircraft (LAT) and 200 to 300 gallons / minute for single-engine firefighting aircraft (SEAT). An example of a conventional flow meter includes Micro-Motion. ® The flow meter utilizes a Coriolis flow tube that vibrates in opposite directions as fluid flows through it, and a drive coil is energized to cause the tube to oscillate. As will be understood by those skilled in the art familiar with firefighting aircraft base operations, in accordance with the requirements specified in Appendix 3, the flow meter is typically the last component in the RTU flame retardant product flow path before the firefighting aircraft supply tank.

[0010] Regarding the quality control of RTU flame retardant products, the same applies... Figure 1 As shown, a sampling valve is positioned after the manually operated proportioning valve and before the gas-driven loading pump to allow for the sampling and analysis of small quantities of RTU product using a handheld refractometer. Such handheld refractometers are traditionally used periodically at fire retardant firefighting aircraft bases to determine the content of flame retardant salts in RTU flame retardant product samples. The concentration of flame retardant salts in the RTU product determines the density (mass per unit volume) of the RTU product, which in turn determines the refractive index (the ability to bend light) of the RTU product—measured using a refractometer, which is in turn related to the salt content and density. Knowing the density (or specific gravity) of the RTU product is crucial for determining the weight of the firefighting aircraft after loading the RTU product. An example of a conventional handheld refractometer used at a firefighting aircraft base is provided in Appendix 5, which relates to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 557,180 (“Refractometer for Evaluating Flame Retardants for Field Fires”) and is incorporated herein by reference.

[0011] According to Section 4.3.2 of USDA Forest Service Standard 5100-304d (attached hereto as Appendix 1), "The refractometer reading for determining the correct mixture of flame retardant shall be determined using a handheld refractometer with an arbitrary scale in an industrial fluid tester or, where necessary, a Brix scale" (as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, an arbitrary scale in an industrial fluid tester is referred to as the 10440 VP arbitrary scale). Therefore, as Figure 1 As shown, the preparation supervisor (or other authorized pit area personnel at the fire retardant fire suppression aircraft base) traditionally uses a handheld refractometer to measure the refractive index of the RTU product, which, as mentioned above, is related to the concentration of the fire retardant salt in the RTU product. For this purpose, as described in Appendix 5 (see, for example, pages 67-70), the preparation supervisor applies a small sample of the RTU product onto the prism of the refractometer and then aligns the refractometer with a light source to take a reading. This manual measurement of the refractive index of the RTU product is typically performed once per aircraft load. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The inventors have recognized and understand that conventional flame retardant mixing operations have several drawbacks, particularly concerning liquid concentrate (LC) flame retardants. First, mixing LC flame retardants with water is typically a time-consuming process, which is problematic in time-critical firefighting (e.g., it may take 20 minutes or more to fully mix LC with water to form an RTU product for fire use). Therefore, the time required to dilute and mix LC flame retardants with water to produce ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant products can limit the speed of forest fire suppression. Another problem with conventional LC mixing operations includes quality control and batch-to-batch variations (e.g., changes in the concentration and / or uniformity of the RTU product over time), which can adversely affect the ability to effectively control fires.

[0013] The inventors further recognized and understood that the aforementioned and other challenges arise when using relatively high-viscosity liquid concentrate (LC) flame retardants to prepare RTU flame retardant products. USDA Forest Service Standard 5100-304d, appended to this document as Appendix 1, defines the viscosity range for blended RTU flame retardant products in Section 1.2.5 as follows:

[0014] While the viscosity classifications in the table above apply to blended RTU flame retardant products, they can also be applied to LCs for comparative and illustrative purposes. In particular, the inventors have considered using LCs with viscosities higher than the “high viscosity” range indicated in the table above (e.g., LCs in the range of approximately 1500 cP to 5000 cP, hereinafter referred to as “ultra-high” viscosity) mixed with water to prepare RTU flame retardant products (in contrast to PHOS-CHEK mentioned in the “Background Art” section above).® The LC95 series and LCE20-FX liquid concentrates have viscosities in the range of approximately 100 to 400 cP, which falls within the “low viscosity” range indicated in the table above.

[0015] Regarding the use of “ultra-high” viscosity LCs envisioned by the inventors, some examples of such “ultra-high” viscosity LC flame retardants include, but are not limited to, LCs containing magnesium chloride (MgCl2) salts, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,960,249 (Attorney General’s Case No. FFRS-002US01), issued March 30, 2021, entitled “Long-term Fire Retardant With Corrosion Inhibitors and Methods for Making and Using Same,” which is incorporated herein by reference. It should be understood that the inventors also envision using one or more of the following U.S. patents, patent publications, or patent applications, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes: U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 894,231, filed June 5, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 894,214, filed June 5, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 105,019, filed November 25, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 213,770, filed March 26, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 213,780, filed March 26, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 531,269, filed November 19, 2021; and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 531,269, filed December 1, 2022. U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,943, filed September 24, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 031,024, filed March 26, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 214,266, filed November 19, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 531,295, filed December 1, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 060,941, filed August 26, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 458,002, filed June 21, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 845,569, filed March 10, 2023; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 182,198, filed January 29, 2024. U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 425,075; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 552,196, filed December 15, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 821,060, filed August 19, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,946, filed December 1, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,946, filed April 12, 2023.U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 299,525; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 404,027 filed January 4, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 404,387 filed January 4, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 990,647 filed December 20, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 061,542 filed December 5, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 450,892 filed August 16, 2023; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 602,657 filed March 12, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 908,107 filed October 7, 2024; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 299,525 filed January 4, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 404,027 filed January 4, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 404,387 filed January 4, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 990,647 filed December 20, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 061,542 filed December 5, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 450,892 filed August 16, 2023; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 602,657 filed March 12, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 908,107 filed October 7, 2024; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 908,107 filed June 7, 2019. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 858,640, filed March 13, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 989,350, filed May 13, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 024,040, filed May 13, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 325,876, filed March 31, 2022; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 028,765, filed May 22, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 140,657, filed January 22, 2021; and / or U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 686,448, filed August 23, 2024.

[0016] Ultra-high viscosity LC flame retardants with viscosities ranging from approximately 1500 cP to 5000 cP present unique challenges in the preparation of RTU flame retardant products, partly due to the significantly higher viscosity affecting the flow rate of LC flame retardants.

[0017] More specifically, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, Poiseuille's Law of fluid dynamics provides the relationship between the viscosity of a fluid (i.e., an incompressible Newtonian fluid in laminar flow), the length of a cylindrical pipe with a constant circular cross-section through which the fluid flows, and the pressure drop due to the fluid's viscosity, as follows: .

[0018] From the above, it can be generally understood that viscosity is inversely proportional to flow velocity. It can also be understood that Poisson's law does not apply to limiting cases of low viscosity and wide and / or short pipes (for example, low viscosity or wide pipes may lead to turbulence, requiring a more complex relationship; however, even if turbulence is a factor, Poisson's law provides a reasonable approximation of how flow velocity varies with fluid viscosity and pipe radius).

[0019] refer to Figure 1In a traditional LC mixing plant, there is typically a loading pump downstream of a manually operated proportioning valve to pump the RTU flame retardant product into the firefighting aircraft. The manually operated proportioning valve is then coupled via piping to the LC storage tank and water tank, respectively. The gas-driven loading pump applies pressure (or suction) to the water and LC to extract these components through the piping and the manually operated proportioning valve, thereby producing the RTU product.

[0020] Specifically, the first pressure exerted by the water in the tank (referred to herein as the "hydrostatic head") and the second pressure (or suction) exerted by the pump provide the pressure difference described in Poisson's law, which in turn affects the volumetric flow rate of water in the mixing plant. Similarly, the third pressure exerted by the LC in the LC storage tank (referred to herein as the "LC static head") and the second pressure (or suction) exerted by the pump provide the pressure difference, which in turn affects the volumetric flow rate of the LC in the mixing plant. For LCs with relatively low viscosity (e.g., PHOS-CHEK), ® (LC95 series and LCE20-FX liquid concentrate), the action of the pump on water and LC results in the respective flow velocities of LC and water being sufficiently similar (assuming that the respective pipe lengths and radii used to transport water and LC are similar or the same).

[0021] Under conditions where the viscosities of these components are relatively similar, a specific mixing ratio of LC and water can be effectively achieved to manufacture RTU products by manually operating a proportioning valve. Specifically, the manually operated proportioning valve is typically positioned by the dispensing main pipe to change the first orifice size of the water and the second orifice size of the LC flame retardant within the valve (which essentially alters the radii of LC and water in the aforementioned Boehringer's Law). The changed orifice sizes, in turn, adjust the respective flow rates of the components during mixing within the valve to achieve the specified mixing ratio of the RTU product. Therefore, the ratio of the orifice size of the water to the orifice size of the LC within the valve is generally related to the specified mixing ratio of the RTU flame retardant product.

[0022] However, the inventors have recognized and understood that for ultra-high viscosity LC flame retardants (e.g., LCs with viscosities in the range of 1500 cP to 5000 cP), the use of Figure 1 Achieving the specified mixing ratio in manufacturing RTU flame retardant products using a conventionally manually operated proportioning valve is much more difficult.

[0023] More specifically, referring again to Boehringer's Law as shown in the diagram above, the significantly different viscosities between ultra-high viscosity LC flame retardants and water will result in significantly different flow rates of the LC flame retardants and water entering the proportional valve—assuming the pipe radii and lengths are the same or similar (e.g., consider the difference between drinking a thick milkshake and a glass of milk using the same straw), and that the pressure difference between LC and water is similar (generated by the loading pump and assuming similar static heads for LC and water). This expected difference in flow rates under these different viscosity conditions is further complicated by the recognition that the assumption of similar static heads does not hold; in particular, given the ultra-high viscosity of LC flame retardants, the static head of LC in the LC tank may be significantly different from that of water in the tank. These conditions are further complicated by the constantly changing static head of LC in the LC tank as more and more LC flame retardants are consumed from the LC tank to manufacture RTU flame retardant products.

[0024] The inventors understand that, given the different viscosities of LC and water, and the constantly changing hydrostatic head of LC, Figure 1 The manually operated proportioning valves used in conventional LC mixing plants, as shown, cannot reliably mix ultra-high viscosity LC and water to produce RTU products. Specifically, the inventors have recognized that the proportioning valves in LC mixing plants need to be dynamically operated to periodically change (e.g., continuously in some cases) the respective orifice sizes of the ultra-high viscosity LC flame retardant and water within the valve, thereby adjusting the corresponding flow rates to effectively achieve the specified mixing ratio and the desired concentration of flame retardant salts in the RTU flame retardant product. More generally, the inventors have recognized the need for dynamic control of the respective flow rates of the ultra-high viscosity LC flame retardant and water (regardless of whether a proportioning valve is used to mix these components), particularly considering the significant viscosity differences and the constantly changing hydrostatic head of the LC in the LC tank.

[0025] In view of the above, the innovative concept disclosed herein relates to an improved mixing plant for diluting and effectively mixing high-viscosity long-term flame retardant liquid concentrate with water to produce RTU flame retardant products with a desired flame retardant salt concentration. In an exemplary embodiment, effective mixing of the high-viscosity LC and water is achieved in part through automatic feedback control of the respective flow rates of the LC and water. To facilitate improved quality control of the RTU product, online sensing is employed to periodically measure and digitally record one or more parameters representing the flame retardant salt concentration in the RTU product during production. One or more signals representing the measured parameters are used as feedback to automatically adjust the flow rates of the LC and water to achieve a target concentration (e.g., weight percentage) of the flame retardant salt in the RTU product and a target flow rate of the RTU product (for easy loading into firefighting aircraft).

[0026] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile mixing device deployed at a firefighting aircraft base to provide ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant products containing at least one flame retardant salt for loading onto firefighting aircraft. The mobile mixing device includes: a water inlet for coupling to a water source to supply water to the mixing device; a power connector for coupling to at least one power source of the mobile mixing device; at least one mobile liquid concentrate (LC) tank for holding the liquid concentrate (LC) flame retardant containing the at least one flame retardant salt; an automatic proportioning mixing valve fluidly coupled to the water inlet and the at least one mobile LC tank to mix water and the LC flame retardant and thereby form the RTU flame retardant product; and at least one conduit fluidly coupled to the automatic proportioning mixing valve and an exhaust flow meter to deliver RTU flame retardant products to the firefighting aircraft. The TU flame retardant product is delivered from an automatic proportioning mixing valve; at least one loading pump, fluidly coupled to the at least one conduit, pumps the RTU flame retardant product through the at least one conduit; an online sensor, positioned in the at least one conduit between the automatic proportioning mixing valve and the discharge flow meter, is in fluid contact with the RTU flame retardant product to measure the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the at least one conduit; at least one controller, coupled to the online sensor and the automatic proportioning mixing valve, automatically adjusts at least one flow variable of the LC flame retardant and water via the automatic proportioning mixing valve, at least in part based on the mass value measured by the online sensor; and an enclosure device for providing a physical boundary around at least a portion of the mobile mixing equipment including the at least one mobile LC tank.

[0027] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile mixing device, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank is configured to agitate the LC flame retardant when it is present in the at least one mobile LC tank, without circulating the LC flame retardant out and back into the at least one mobile LC tank.

[0028] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile mixing device, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank includes at least one in-tank mechanical agitator.

[0029] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile mixing device, wherein the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator includes at least one agitator motor mounted on the at least one mobile LC tank.

[0030] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile mixing device, wherein the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator further comprises: a shaft coupled to the at least one agitator motor and extending from the surface of the at least one mobile LC tank; and at least one blade coupled to the shaft.

[0031] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device of claim 5, wherein the at least one controller is coupled to the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator to control the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator.

[0032] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile mixing device, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator according to an automatic mixing schedule.

[0033] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing equipment, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank includes at least one lifting system to facilitate the connection of the at least one mobile LC tank to a transport vehicle for moving the at least one LC tank.

[0034] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile mixing device, which also includes at least one mobile water pump coupled to a water inlet and a water source.

[0035] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile mixing device in which the water inlet is coupled to a water source including at least one of the following: a fire hydrant; a municipal water pipe; a well; a water tower; an external water tank; or a surface water source pressurized by gravity or a pump.

[0036] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing equipment, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank includes at least one epoxy-based internal coating to reduce or mitigate corrosion.

[0037] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank includes at least one tank level sensor to detect the quantity of contents held in the at least one mobile LC tank.

[0038] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device, and also includes at least one recirculation pump coupled to the at least one mobile LC tank for recirculating the LC flame retardant.

[0039] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile hybrid device, wherein the at least one power source is the power grid, and wherein a power connection is coupled to the power grid.

[0040] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile hybrid device, wherein the at least one power source comprises at least one mobile generator, and wherein the mobile hybrid device comprises the at least one mobile generator.

[0041] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device, wherein the at least one loading pump comprises an electric centrifugal pump with a horsepower rating in the range of 10 to 100 horsepower.

[0042] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device and also includes at least one non-electric mobile backup pump.

[0043] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile hybrid device, wherein the at least one non-electric mobile backup pump comprises at least one of a gas-driven pump, a diesel-driven pump, a natural gas-driven pump, or a hydrogen-powered pump.

[0044] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device of claim 18, further comprising a backup circuit fluidly coupled to a non-electric mobile backup pump, an automatic proportioning mixing valve, and the at least one conduit.

[0045] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile mixing device, which also includes at least one isolation valve coupled to a backup circuit and operable to isolate the at least one loading pump from the backup circuit.

[0046] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device, wherein the at least one loading pump is configured to pump the RTU flame retardant product through at least one conduit at a flow rate of at least 200 gallons per minute.

[0047] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device, wherein the at least one loading pump is configured to pump the RTU flame retardant product through at least one conduit at a flow rate in the range of 200 gallons / minute to 500 gallons / minute.

[0048] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device, wherein: the at least one loading pump is communicatively coupled to the at least one controller, and the flow rate of the at least one loading pump is controlled in response to at least one pump control signal output by the at least one controller.

[0049] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device, and also includes an internal flow meter coupled to the at least one conduit between the automatic proportioning mixing valve and the discharge flow meter.

[0050] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile hybrid device in which the internal flow meter includes one of an electromagnetic flow meter, a Hall effect flow meter, or a turbine flow meter.

[0051] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile hybrid device in which the internal flow meter includes a Coriolis flow meter.

[0052] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile mixing device, and also includes an emission flow meter.

[0053] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile mixing device in which the discharge flow meter is one of a micro-motion mass flow meter or a Coriolis flow meter.

[0054] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device of claim 28, wherein: the at least one controller is communicatively coupled to an online sensor, a flow meter, and an automatic proportioning mixing valve to automatically adjust at least one flow variable of the LC flame retardant and water via the automatic proportioning mixing valve, based at least in part on the mass value measured by the online sensor and the online density of the RTU flame retardant product measured by the flow meter.

[0055] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device, wherein the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the at least one conduit, measured by an online sensor, includes at least one of the following: the refractive index of the RTU flame retardant product; the viscosity of the RTU flame retardant product; the density of the RTU flame retardant product; or the pH value of the RTU flame retardant product.

[0056] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile mixing device in which the online sensor includes an online refractometer, and the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in said at least one conduit includes at least the refractive index of the RTU flame retardant product.

[0057] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a mobile hybrid device, further comprising at least one communication interface for communicatingly coupling the at least one controller to the Internet and providing wireless data access in the vicinity of the mobile hybrid device to facilitate at least one of remote control, wireless updates, or troubleshooting of the mobile hybrid device.

[0058] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to the mobile mixing device, wherein: the enclosure provides a secondary container for the contents stored in the at least one LC tank; and the enclosure is configured to accommodate all contents of the largest tank of the at least one LC tank.

[0059] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method of operating a mobile mixing device to combine a liquid concentrate (LC) flame retardant and water to produce a ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant product, the method comprising: placing the LC flame retardant in a liquid concentrate (LC) tank; fluidly coupling the LC flame retardant to water via an automatic proportioning mixing valve; pumping the LC flame retardant through the automatic proportioning mixing valve and into a conduit to mix the LC flame retardant with water to form the RTU flame retardant product; measuring the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the conduit via a first sensor; and adjusting the automatic proportioning mixing valve by a controller to change the flow variable of at least one of the LC flame retardant and water, at least in part, based on the mass value.

[0060] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a method in which the quality value of an RTU flame retardant product includes at least one of the following: the refractive index of the RTU flame retardant product; the viscosity of the RTU flame retardant product; the density of the RTU flame retardant product; or the pH value of the RTU flame retardant product.

[0061] In some aspects, the technology described herein relates to a method further comprising: receiving by a controller multiple measurements from multiple refractive index sensors disposed in an LC tank, the multiple measurements indicating the refractive index of an LC flame retardant contained in the tank; determining by the controller that the difference between each of the multiple measurements exceeds a threshold; and in response to the difference exceeding the threshold, controlling by the controller at least one of a mechanical stirrer or a recirculation pump to mix the LC flame retardant.

[0062] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a method that further includes: determining, by a controller, the current drawn by a motor mechanically coupled to the mechanical stirrer when the mechanical stirrer mixes the LC flame retardant; and calculating, by the controller, the viscosity of the LC flame retardant based on the determined current.

[0063] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a method that further includes: sending a notification indicating the state of the LC flame retardant in response to determining that the viscosity of the LC flame retardant is below a threshold.

[0064] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a method, further comprising: lifting at least a portion of the LC tank by a lifting system integrated in the LC tank; mechanically coupling a transport vehicle to that portion of the LC tank; and transporting the LC tank from a first position to a second position.

[0065] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a method in which an LC flame retardant is pumped through an automatic proportioning mixing valve at a flow rate of at least 200 gallons per minute.

[0066] In some respects, the technology described herein relates to a method in which an LC flame retardant is pumped through an automatic proportioning mixing valve at a flow rate between 200 gallons / min and 500 gallons / min.

[0067] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a method that also includes an online density adjustment automatic proportioning mixing valve based on the RTU flame retardant product measured by a flow meter to change the flow variables of at least one of the LC flame retardant and water.

[0068] In some respects, the techniques described herein relate to a method in which the flow meter includes at least one of an exhaust flow meter, a Coriolis flow meter, an electromagnetic flow meter, a Hall effect flow meter, or a turbine flow meter.

[0069] All combinations of the concepts described above and the additional concepts discussed in more detail below (provided these concepts do not contradict each other) constitute part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subjects appearing at the end of this disclosure constitute part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. Terms used herein and that may also appear in any disclosure incorporated by reference shall be given the meaning most consistent with the specific concepts disclosed herein. Attached Figure Description

[0070] Those skilled in the art will understand that the accompanying drawings are primarily for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the innovative subject matter described herein. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; in some cases, various aspects of the innovative subject matter disclosed herein may be exaggerated or enlarged in the drawings to facilitate understanding of different features. In the drawings, the same reference characters generally refer to the same features (e.g., functionally and / or structurally similar elements).

[0071] Figure 1 The various components of a conventional LC mixing plant at a firefighting aircraft base are shown.

[0072] Figure 2 A block diagram of a mixing system for preparing a long-lasting flame retardant for use in fire, according to an exemplary embodiment, is shown.

[0073] Figure 3 A hybrid system according to this technology is shown.

[0074] Figure 4A It shows Figure 3 Additional perspective view of the hybrid system.

[0075] Figure 4B It shows Figure 3 Additional perspective view of the hybrid system.

[0076] Figure 5 It shows Figure 3 Additional perspective view of the hybrid system.

[0077] Figure 6 A storage tank with an in-tank mechanical agitator and multiple compartments according to the present technology is shown.

[0078] Figure 7 A storage tank with a built-in lifting system according to the present technology is shown.

[0079] Figure 8 This shows what happens when the built-in boost system is activated. Figure 7 The storage tank.

[0080] Figure 9 A longitudinal view of a storage tank having one or more in-tank mechanical agitators according to the present technology is shown.

[0081] Figure 10 An external view of a multi-compartment storage tank according to the present technology is shown.

[0082] Figure 11 It shows Figure 10 Additional external view of the multi-compartment storage tank.

[0083] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of an exemplary method for operating a mobile mixing device to mix liquid concentrate (LC) flame retardant and water to manufacture a ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant product. Detailed Implementation

[0084] Hybrid system

[0085] Figure 2 An innovative mixing system 100 (also known as a mixing plant) for preparing (e.g., mixing or diluting) a long-lasting flame retardant for application in fires, according to an exemplary embodiment, is illustrated. The mixing system 100 can be used to prepare a diluted long-lasting flame retardant product by diluting a liquid concentrate of the long-lasting flame retardant with a solvent such as water. The resulting diluted product is in a form suitable for extinguishing (e.g., suppressing, inhibiting, controlling) forest fires by air or ground application. In some versions, the mixing system 100 may be located at or near a fire suppression dispatch location (e.g., at an airport near a forest fire), allowing the mixing system 100 to prepare a diluted flame retardant product for easy deployment to the forest fire. In other versions, the mixing system 100 may be located at other relevant locations for fire suppression or storage of the flame retardant.

[0086] The flame retardant liquid concentrate described in more detail below is a viscous liquid containing a high concentration of one or more flame retardant compounds. For example, the viscosity of the liquid concentrate at ambient temperature can range from about 50 centipoise (cP) to about 5,000 cP, or more typically from about 10 centipoise (cP) to about 10,000 cP. As an illustrative comparison, fluids falling within this viscosity range include glycerol, corn syrup, and honey. For reference, the viscosity of water at ambient temperature is about 1 cP.

[0087] To produce fire retardant dilution products suitable for fire application, liquid concentrates are mixed with water for dilution. However, due to the relatively high viscosity of fire retardant liquid concentrates, the inventors have recognized and understood that it has traditionally been difficult to mix the liquid concentrates with water in precise mixing ratios. This problem is further exacerbated when mixing liquid concentrates and water at relatively high flow rates (e.g., 500 gallons per minute). Despite these traditional mixing challenges, the ability to effectively control the mixing ratio of liquid concentrates to water is critical to ensuring that the diluted products meet the specifications established by fire management services. For example, the U.S. Forest Service specifies standards for forest fire retardants to qualify for U.S. Forest Service use, including the standards described in Forest Service Specification 5100-304d and the provisional revision of Federal Specification 5100-304d (released October 25, 2024), both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0088] Mixing system 100 addresses these problems by providing a mixing system capable of efficiently and accurately mixing liquid concentrate with water at a desired volume ratio (e.g., gallons to gallons) ranging from about 45:1 to about 0.2:1 (water:liquid concentrate). In one aspect, despite a significant viscosity difference between the liquid concentrate and water, the mixing ratio can be varied within this range in very small increments (e.g., substantially continuously). In another aspect, mixing system 100 produces diluted products at a productivity (also known as flow rate) ranging from about 100 gallons per minute (gpm) to about 1200 gpm (examples of productivity include, but are not limited to, 100 gpm, 500 gpm, 1000 gpm, or 1200 gpm).

[0089] As discussed in further detail below, in one exemplary embodiment, the mixing system 100 includes one or more “online” sensors, i.e., positioned in the flow of the diluted product, to sense one or more measurable characteristics of the diluted product. The one or more sensed characteristics are input to a controller, which, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics of the diluted product, further controls one or more valves and / or one or more pumps to change the flow rate of water and / or liquid concentrate, thereby changing the mixing ratio.

[0090] The mixing system 100 may include an LC container 120 (equivalent to a storage tank 120) at least partially filled with a liquid concentrate 122 and a solvent container 130 (equivalent to a water tank 130) at least partially filled with a solvent 132. The solvent 132 may be, for example, water, and may be added to the solvent container 130 via a solvent source 138. Dispensing of the solvent 132 from the solvent source 138 may be controlled by a float valve 136, which may be configured to dispense water into the solvent container 130 based on the level of the solvent 132, for example, dispensing the solvent 132 into the solvent container 130 when the level of the solvent 132 is below a threshold. The float valve 136 may include a float 137 configured to float on top of the solvent 132 and be moved by the solvent 132. When the level of the solvent 132 is sufficiently high, the float 137 will be moved, causing the float valve 136 to close and the solvent 132 to stop flowing.

[0091] Liquid concentrate 122 may be any suitable flame retardant compound according to the present technology, such as those listed in Table 1. Liquid concentrate 122 may have a suitable viscosity as described above, for example, between about 1500 cP and about 5000 cP, although lower viscosities are also possible, for example, about 1 cP to about 50 cP, about 25 cP to about 75 cP, about 50 cP to about 150 cP, about 100 cP to about 800 cP, about 500 cP to about 1000 cP, about 800 cP to about 1500 cP, or similar ranges. In one aspect, the viscosity values ​​listed herein may conform to the dynamic viscosity measured by a Brookfield viscometer using a suitable spindle at 60 rpm and 21°C.

[0092] Each of the liquid concentrate 122 and solvent 132 can be dispensed via its respective dispensing valve. For example, LC container 120 may include LC dispensing valve 124, and solvent container 130 may include solvent dispensing valve 134. LC dispensing valve 124 and solvent dispensing valve 134 may be communicatively coupled to controller 110, which may be configured to send one or more signals controlling the operation of LC dispensing valve 124 and / or solvent dispensing valve 134. For example, controller 110 may open LC dispensing valve 124 and solvent dispensing valve 134 and allow liquid concentrate 122 and solvent 132 to mix to form a final diluted product, which consumes solvent (e.g., water) and LC flame retardant during the mixing process to form the final diluted product (e.g., RTU flame retardant product).

[0093] The controller 110 may be communicatively coupled to a user interface 112, which may be a computer, tablet, laptop, desktop, smartphone, touchscreen, kiosk, or any suitable device for receiving information and / or instructions from a user. The user interface 112 may include data storage and / or memory for storing information, such as information related to the operation of the mixing system 100. For example, the user interface 112 may be used to store digital records of at least a portion of multiple measurements related to refractive index, flow rate, viscosity, pH, density, or any suitable measurement.

[0094] The user can input one or more parameter values ​​for the final diluted product, which can be manufactured by mixing liquid concentrate 122 and solvent 132 according to the parameter values. For example, the user can input one or more of the following parameters for the final diluted product: refractive index, density, viscosity, pH, mass flow rate, conductivity, flow rate, type of liquid concentrate 122, type of solvent 132, and / or selective ion concentration.

[0095] Controller 110 may be communicatively coupled to one or more external computing systems, such as computing system 114. Computing system 114 may include one or more remote computers, cloud computing systems, computing hardware in data centers or other locations, artificial intelligence (AI) clusters, or any suitable computing system for performing logical operations, data transfer, and other appropriate computing functions.

[0096] Controller 110 may utilize artificial intelligence to control, monitor, report, analyze, or otherwise maintain hybrid system 100. Controller 110 may receive some or substantially all of the data generated by sensors, machinery, systems, processes, operations, etc., of hybrid system 100. Controller 110 may implement or communicate with one or more AI or machine learning (ML) models, agents, systems, etc., to analyze data from sensors in hybrid system 100 and identify trends, control the operation of hybrid system 100, improve inventory utilization, implement more effective maintenance routines, etc. Controller 110 may instantiate, operate, control, interact with, or otherwise utilize one or more AI agents, ML models, etc., to identify and improve energy efficiency, electrical characteristics (such as current and / or voltage) of one or more in-tank mixers, maintenance requirements or equipment failure rates, mixing tolerances, etc., related to one or more aspects of hybrid system 100 (e.g., of a backup generator).

[0097] For example, controller 110 may utilize an AI agent to monitor the current drawn by one or more in-tank mechanical agitators 346. Controller 110 may determine that the current drawing trend of the first mechanical agitator 346 differs significantly from the current drawn by the other mechanical agitators, and may accordingly send notifications to one or more system users, maintenance personnel, or other computing systems, indicating that the first mechanical agitator may have problems such as bearing damage. Controller 110 may continuously monitor any suitable data related to the mixing system 100 and provide appropriate alerts or notifications when the data indicates that an aspect of the mixing system 100 requires appropriate entity attention. Controller 110, utilizing appropriate AI entities, may provide one or more reports on the operation of the mixing system 100, equipment health, product quality, product parameters, system usage, product use, or any suitable topic.

[0098] Controller 110 may additionally or alternatively utilize AI to monitor external system data, such as weather, aircraft availability, local and / or national fire activity, flame retardant component availability and cost, storage availability, etc., to more accurately predict long-term trends and demand for flame retardant products supplied through the hybrid system 100. AI agents may additionally or alternatively act as virtual assistant managers of the hybrid system 100, providing notifications, alerts, suggestions, etc., regarding some or all of the operation of the hybrid system 100 to the person acting as the primary manager of the hybrid system 100 or other AI entities. Furthermore, AI agents may generate reports on equipment health, flame retardant product quality (e.g., mixing parameters such as viscosity, product level in storage tanks, temperature, refractive index, etc.), flame retardant usage, etc.

[0099] Liquid concentrate 122 and solvent 132 can flow through conduit 170 (equivalent to conduit 170). The mixing system 100 may include one or more pumps 150, including an LC pump 150a, a solvent pump 150b, and a final diluted product pump 150c. Pumps 150 can be of any suitable type, such as mechanical pumps, siphon pumps, etc. Each of the pumps 150 may be positioned downstream of the LC distribution valve 124 and the solvent distribution valve 134. Alternatively, LC pump 150a may be positioned upstream of the LC distribution valve 124, and solvent pump 150b may be positioned upstream of solvent pump 134.

[0100] Each pump of pump 150 may be further configured to mix the diluted product discharged from the outlet of a proportional mixing valve. Each pump may have a variable pumping speed. Controller 110 may be further communicatively coupled to each pump and further configured to modulate the variable pumping speed based on sensor data from pump 150 and / or other sensors within mixing system 100. Mixing system 100 may further include a static mixer fluidly coupled to mixing connector 172, final diluted product pump 150c, and / or final diluted product valve 174 to mix the final diluted product discharged from the outlet of final diluted product valve 174.

[0101] The mixing connector 172 may include a body defining a cavity and having a first inlet for the liquid concentrate to enter the cavity, a second inlet for the water to enter the cavity, and an outlet for discharging the mixture of the liquid concentrate and water. The mixing connector 172 may further include an adjusting element disposed within the cavity. The adjusting element is movable within the cavity and can be positioned to partially or completely block the first and / or second inlets to modify the ratio of the liquid concentrate and / or water entering the cavity, thereby modifying the mixing ratio of the liquid concentrate and water.

[0102] The regulating element may be coupled to an actuator, which can be used to adjust the regulating element (e.g., by moving or rotating the regulating element). The actuator can be a variety of actuators, including but not limited to electric motors, solenoids, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators, and any combination thereof. The actuator may include a handle for manual actuation. The actuator may also be communicatively coupled to controller 110 to receive control signals from controller 110 and adjust the regulating element based on the control signals. For example, the control signals may be generated based on one or more conditions of the final diluted product discharged from the outlet, measured by one or more sensors of measuring device 140.

[0103] like Figure 2 As shown, one or more signals from measuring device 140 (representing an online concentration measurement of the final diluted product) are input to controller 110. Controller 110 then controls the flow of one or more of liquid concentrate 122, solvent 132, or the final diluted product based on the online concentration measurement. Controller 110 may also optionally receive another signal provided by a flow meter to facilitate automatic control of the flow of liquid concentrate 122, solvent 132, and / or the final diluted product. In one exemplary embodiment, measuring device 140 may include an online refractometer configured to measure the concentration of the final diluted product after mixing at mixing connector 172; examples of refractometers effectively used by the inventors for this purpose include, but are not limited to, the L-Rix series manufactured by Anton Paar.

[0104] The mixing system 100 is capable of automatic variable flow control of each of the liquid concentrate 122, solvent 132, and final diluted product based on one or more signals provided by the controller 110, wherein these signals are in turn based on one or more online concentration measurements from the measuring devices 140 (e.g., online refractive index measurements provided by an online refractometer, one or more signals provided by a flow meter, etc.). It should be understood that this automatic variable flow control can be implemented in various ways in various innovative embodiments. In one embodiment, the mixing system 100 may include multiple measuring devices 140 disposed on various parts of the pipe 170, LC container 120, solvent container 130, or any suitable portion of the mixing system 100.

[0105] One or more sensors of the measuring device 140 may be configured to be online with the flow of the final diluted product to continuously and directly monitor the characteristics of the final diluted product produced by the mixing system. This can be achieved, for example, by placing one or more sensors within the conduit 170 or pipe carrying the final diluted product, within a side flow sampling line coupled to the main pipe or pipe, or coupled to a window of the conduit 170. The flow rate of the final diluted product may be measured by a flow meter 160, which may be located on a portion of the conduit 170 near the aircraft 180 (such as a firefighting aircraft) or the RTU product container 190.

[0106] The final diluted product can be stored or loaded after mixing. For example, the final diluted product can be stored as RTU product 192 in RTU product container 190. RTU product container 190 can be used to provide storage for RTU product 192 (e.g., for hours, days, weeks, months, or similar periods). The final diluted product can be loaded onto aircraft 180 via loading hose 176. The final diluted product can be loaded directly onto aircraft 180 after mixing via mixing connector 172, or it can be loaded onto aircraft 180 from RTU product container 190.

[0107] In one non-limiting example, one or more sensors of the measuring device 140 may include a refractometer to measure the refractive index of the diluted product, which may vary significantly in response to small changes in the mixing ratio of the flame retardant liquid concentrate and water, and is less affected by the presence of air bubbles in the diluted product. Although components of the refractometer are generally susceptible to corrosive damage when exposed to corrosive compounds such as magnesium chloride, or more generally, halides, phosphates, sulfates, carbonates, and / or hydroxides, the mixing system disclosed herein can reduce or, in some cases, mitigate corrosive damage to the refractometer by using a liquid concentrate containing corrosion inhibitors.

[0108] The controller 110 is communicatively coupled to the pump 150 and configured to control the flow of the liquid concentrate 122, solvent 132, and final diluted product using one or more of the pump 150, the LC distribution valve 124, the solvent distribution valve 134, the final diluted product valve 174, and measurements from the measuring device 140. For example, the controller 110 may increase or decrease the speed of the LC pump 150a based on one or more refractive index measurements indicating the concentration of the liquid concentrate 122 in the final diluted product.

[0109] For example, in one innovative implementation, each variable pump responsive to controller 110 may be used for LC, water and RTU products, wherein the mixing connection for LC, water and RTU products includes a T-shaped or Y-shaped connection (conventionally also known as a "pipe tee").

[0110] In another innovative example, each of the adjustable orifice valves responsive to controller 110 can be used for both the LC and the water, along with T- or Y-shaped tees and a single pump for the RTU product (which can also be responsive to controller 110).

[0111] In yet another example, an automatic proportional mixing valve responsive to controller 110 may be used in conjunction with a single pump for the RTU product (which may also be responsive to controller 110), located downstream of the automatic proportional mixing valve; alternatively, an automatic proportional mixing valve responsive to controller 110 may be used in conjunction with separate pumps for LC and water (which may also be responsive to controller 110), located upstream of the automatic proportional mixing valve. Other arrangements and combinations of the above arrangements will also be readily understood by those skilled in the art with the benefit of this disclosure, and the inventors have also contemplated such arrangements and combinations.

[0112] The following are two examples of non-limiting descriptions of the innovative systems and methods based on this disclosure: Example 1 A hybrid system, comprising: Water source: Storage tanks equipped with float valves or other fluid level sensors automatically activate when the water level drops below a certain level to begin refilling the tank and maintain a minimum static head, as well as an actuation valve at the tank outlet, which is connected via a pipe to one port of an actuation proportional mixing valve. The actuation valve on the tank is connected to a controller, which can open or close the valve by sending a signal.

[0113] Liquid concentrate source: A storage tank containing liquid concentrate (LC) has an actuated valve and a conduit connecting the valve on the LC storage tank to one port of an actuated proportioning mixing valve. The actuated valve on the LC storage tank is connected to a controller, which can open or close the valve by sending a signal.

[0114] An actuated proportional mixing valve connected to the controller has one input port connected via piping to an actuated valve on a water source, a second input port connected via piping to an actuated valve on a liquid concentrate (LC) source, and an output port. The proportional mixing valve is connected to the controller, which can adjust the proportional mixing valve by sending signals, and can adjust the mixing ratio so that only water passes through the proportional mixing valve, only LC passes through the proportional mixing valve, or any ratio of water to LC between 0% and 100% passes through the proportional mixing valve.

[0115] The pump, such as a centrifugal pump, has its inlet connected to the output of an actuating proportional mixing valve, and its outlet connected to a storage tank via a pipe. The pump is connected to a centralized controller with a variable frequency drive, which can activate or deactivate the pump via a signal and, when activated, control the pump's flow rate between 0% and 100% of its output capacity.

[0116] A refractive index sensor is installed downstream of the pump outlet and connected online to the storage tank. The window of the refractive index sensor is in contact with the product fluid in the pipeline connecting the pump and the storage tank.

[0117] A controller for a power supply, a water source, an LC source, at least one sensor, a frequency converter, and a pump.

[0118] Ready-to-use (RTU) long-term flame retardants are prepared through the following steps: Powering the system, the controller runs an automatic startup routine to check the connectivity and status of each component, and then provides a ready signal to the operator.

[0119] The operator will set initial parameters based on the specific flame retardant being mixed and the desired flow rate into the RTU flame retardant tank, and then command the system to run.

[0120] The system will then adjust the initial state of the proportional mixing valve to match the desired mixing ratio of the LC. For example, if the mixing ratio of the LC is 1 gallon of LC to 2.4 gallons of water, the proportional mixing valve will be adjusted to allow a flow rate of 2.4 times that of the LC.

[0121] The controller will then send a signal to open the actuator valves on the water source and the LC source.

[0122] The controller then accelerates the pump to the desired flow rate input by the operator, which draws water and LC from their respective sources through valves and pipes on their respective sources into the proportioning mixing valve, combining them in the desired ratio. The combined fluids then flow from the mixing valve through a section of pipe into the pump. The pump will help homogenize the mixture before sending it to the storage tank.

[0123] As the product is transferred to the storage tank, it flows through a refractive index sensor and is measured. The refractive index sensor transmits the refractive index value of the mixed RTU product back to the controller, where the measured value is compared with the target value.

[0124] If the measured refractive index of the ready-to-use blend transferred to the storage tank is within the tolerance range entered by the operator, the system will maintain all settings and continue to monitor the output reading of the refractive index sensor and run until the operator stops the system, produces the preset quantity of ready-to-use blended flame retardant, or the refractive index of the ready-to-use blended flame retardant transferred to the storage tank exceeds the tolerance.

[0125] If the controller detects a refractive index value outside the tolerance range at any time, the system will respond accordingly. For example, if the sensor detects a refractive index value lower than the target value, the system will adjust the proportioning valve to allow more concentrate and less water to pass through. The adjustment will be made in small steps, allowing sufficient time after the proportioning valve adjustment for the mixed product with the new proportions to reach the refractive index sensor, and for the sensor to transmit the refractive index value back to the controller. If the adjustment to the mixing ratio has brought the refractive index of the mixed product back within the tolerance range, the system will maintain these values ​​until the operator stops the system, a preset quantity of mixed ready-to-use flame retardant is produced, or the refractive index of the mixed ready-to-use flame retardant transferred to the storage tank exceeds the tolerance range. If the refractive index is still outside the tolerance range, the system will repeat the process, adjusting the proportioning valve in another small step and waiting until a new refractive index value is obtained, maintaining or repeating the process until the refractive index of the product transferred to the storage tank is within the tolerance range. When the measured refractive index of the ready-to-use blend transferred to the storage tank is within the tolerance range entered by the operator, the system will maintain all settings and continue to monitor the output reading of the refractive index sensor and run until the operator stops the system, produces the preset quantity of ready-to-use blended flame retardant, or the refractive index of the ready-to-use blended flame retardant transferred to the storage tank exceeds the tolerance.

[0126] Example 2

[0127] A hybrid system, comprising: Water source: Storage tanks equipped with float valves or other water level sensors automatically activate when the water level drops below a certain level to begin refilling the tank and maintain a minimum static head, as well as an actuation valve at the tank outlet, which is connected via a pipe to one port of an actuation proportional mixing valve. The actuation valve on the tank is connected to a controller, which can open or close the valve by sending a signal.

[0128] Liquid concentrate source: A storage tank containing liquid concentrate (LC) has an actuated valve and a conduit connecting the valve on the LC storage tank to one port of an actuated proportioning mixing valve. The actuated valve on the LC storage tank is connected to a controller, which can open or close the valve by sending a signal.

[0129] An actuated proportional mixing valve connected to the controller has one input port connected via piping to an actuated valve on a water source, a second input port connected via piping to an actuated valve on a liquid concentrate (LC) source, and an output port. The proportional mixing valve is connected to the controller, which can adjust the proportional mixing valve by sending signals, and can adjust the mixing ratio so that only water passes through the proportional mixing valve, only LC passes through the proportional mixing valve, or any ratio of water to LC between 0% and 100% passes through the proportional mixing valve.

[0130] The pump, such as a centrifugal pump, has its inlet fluid coupled to the output of an actuating proportional mixing valve, and its outlet connected to a storage tank via piping. The pump is communicatively coupled to a centralized controller with a variable frequency drive, which can activate or deactivate the pump via a signal and, when activated, control the pump's flow rate between 0% and 100% of its output capacity.

[0131] A refractive index sensor is installed downstream of the pump outlet and online with the storage tank. The window of the refractive index sensor is in contact with the product fluid in the piping connecting the pump and the storage tank. One or more additional sensors (density in this example) are installed downstream of the pump outlet and online with the storage tank. The sensors are installed in the fluid flow.

[0132] A controller for a power supply, a water source, an LC source, at least one sensor, a frequency converter, and a pump.

[0133] Ready-to-use (RTU) long-term flame retardants are prepared through the following steps: Powering the system, the controller runs an automatic startup routine to check the connectivity and status of each component, and then provides a ready signal to the operator.

[0134] The operator will set initial parameters based on the specific flame retardant being mixed and the desired flow rate into the RTU flame retardant tank, and then command the system to run.

[0135] The system will then adjust the initial state of the proportional mixing valve to match the desired mixing ratio of the LC. For example, if the mixing ratio of the LC is 1 gallon of LC to 2.4 gallons of water, the proportional mixing valve will be adjusted to allow a flow rate of 2.4 times that of the LC.

[0136] The controller will then send a signal to open the actuator valves on the water source and the LC source.

[0137] The controller then accelerates the pump to the desired flow rate input by the operator, which draws water and LC from their respective sources through valves and pipes into the proportioning mixing valve, combining them in the desired ratio. The combined fluid then flows from the mixing valve through a section of pipe into the pump. The pump helps homogenize the mixture before sending it to the storage tank.

[0138] As the product is transferred to the storage tank, it flows through and is measured by the refractive index and density sensors. The refractive index and density sensors transmit the refractive index and density values ​​of the mixed RTU product back to the controller, where the measured values ​​are compared with target values.

[0139] If the measured refractive index and density of the ready-to-use blend transferred to the storage tank are within the tolerances entered by the operator, the system will maintain all settings and continue to monitor the output readings of the refractive index sensor and run until the operator stops the system, produces the preset quantity of ready-to-use blended flame retardant, or the refractive index of the ready-to-use blended flame retardant transferred to the storage tank exceeds the tolerance.

[0140] If the controller detects at any time that one of the sensors is out of tolerance, the system will respond accordingly. For example, in one implementation, one or more sensors may be configured to provide a warning or alarm for an out-of-tolerance condition, but allow the system to continue operating without adjusting the proportional mixing valve; in different examples, one or more sensors may be configured to provide an "alarm" status when an out-of-tolerance condition is present and adjust the proportional mixing valve. Additional details are provided below for a non-limiting example using multiple sensors: A given sensor (refractive index or density) can be configured as a "warning" sensor or an "alarm / correction" sensor. This designation can apply to all values ​​of a given sensor output that are outside the tolerance range, or some values ​​can be warnings and some can be alarms / corrections (e.g., being within X% of the tolerance range will be a warning, and being outside X% of the tolerance range will be an alarm, where X can be, for example, 1, 5, or 10).

[0141] For example, if density is specified as a warning and refractive index as an alarm / correction, the system can send a warning to the user if the refractive index is within tolerance but the density is not. The system will continue to operate normally until the density returns to the specification, the density reaches the alarm / correction state, or mixing is complete. If the refractive index exceeds the specification set by the alarm / correction setting, and if the controller detects that the refractive index value is higher than the expected target, the system will adjust the proportioning valve to allow less concentrate and more water to pass through the proportioning valve.

[0142] If one metric exceeds specifications, others may be acceptable. For example, if the controller detects a refractive index value outside the tolerance, but the density is within the tolerance, the system will determine whether the refractive index is below or above the desired target. If the refractive index is above the target, the system will adjust the proportioning valve to allow less concentrate and more water to pass through. Similarly, if the density is too high, the system will adjust the proportioning valve to allow less concentrate and more water to pass through.

[0143] Multiple parameters are out of specification. If the controller detects that both the refractive index and density values ​​are out of tolerance, the system will determine whether the density and refractive index are below or above the expected targets. If they require adjustment in the same direction (i.e., if they are both above the targets), the system will adjust the proportioning valve to allow less concentrate and more water to pass through it. Similarly, if both are too low, the system will adjust the proportioning valve to allow more concentrate and less water to pass through it.

[0144] In some cases, it may happen that one value is below the threshold while another value is above the threshold. Although this is unlikely to occur, the system should shut down and warn the user.

[0145] The adjustments described in AE are made in small steps, allowing sufficient time after the proportioning valve adjustment for the mixed product with the new proportions to reach the refractive index sensor and for the sensor to transmit the refractive index value back to the controller. As a non-limiting example, the small step size for adjustment may include adjusting one or more flow rates by 0.5%, 1%, 5%, or 10%. A non-limiting example of the time allowed for the new proportions to reach the refractive index sensor may be on the order of milliseconds or fractions of a second, such that in practice, the feedback response is essentially instantaneous. If the adjustment to the mixing proportions has brought the sensor output of the mixed product back within tolerance, the system will maintain these values ​​until the operator stops the system, produces a preset quantity of the mixed ready-to-use flame retardant, or the mixed ready-to-use flame retardant transferred to the tank is again out of tolerance. If the measured property is still out of tolerance, the system will repeat the process, adjusting the proportioning valve in another small step and waiting until a new sensor output value is obtained, and maintaining or repeating the process until the refractive index of the product transferred to the tank is within tolerance.

[0146] It should be understood that the above examples of using multiple sensors to provide feedback related to the concentration of flame retardant salts in RTU flame retardant products are primarily for illustrative purposes. Typically, in various embodiments involving multiple sensors, the individual sensor output signals from the multiple sensors can be mathematically combined (e.g., via a controller) to provide a “composite signal,” which the controller uses to provide a warning or alarm and otherwise adjust or maintain the current state of the proportioning mixing valve. In this regard, it should be understood that the controller may have programmable logic capabilities to adjust or maintain multiple components of the disclosed system (e.g., the proportioning mixing valve, individual actuation valves on the tank or LC reservoir, pump speed, etc.) based on the outputs provided by one or more sensors.

[0147] Flow meters: There may be two or more: online-electromagnetic, external-discharge (e.g., micro-rotor Coriolis).

[0148] Mobile flame retardant base (“mobile mixing equipment”)

[0149] Now for reference Figures 3 to 11 In another exemplary embodiment, this disclosure relates to a mobile flame retardant base (“MRB”), also referred to herein as a “mobile mixing device” 300, for deployment at a firefighting aircraft base to provide ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant products comprising one or more flame retardant salts for loading onto firefighting aircraft. In various examples, the MRB / mobile mixing device described herein may be deployed on demand as a temporary installation (e.g., for as short as a few days), or alternatively as a long-term (e.g., for several months or years) or substantially permanent installation at a firefighting aircraft base or other suitable location.

[0150] like Figure 3 As shown, in a non-limiting example, the mobile hybrid device 300 may employ a similar approach to the combination described above. Figure 2 The described automatic proportioning mixing valve 310, together with one or more mobile liquid concentrate (LC) storage tanks 320, 330 for maintaining a liquid concentrate (LC) containing a flame retardant salt. (Temporary reference) Figure 5 The mobile mixing unit also includes a water inlet 302 for coupling to a water source to supply water to the mixing unit. It should be understood that in some examples, the water source may be provided by a third party, while in other examples, the water source itself may be part of the mobile mixing unit. Example water sources include, but are not limited to, pressurized water pipes from external water supplies such as fire hydrants, municipal water pipes, wells, water towers, water tanks, or surface water sources pressurized by gravity or pumps.

[0151] return Figure 3 An automatic proportioning mixing valve 310 fluidly couples to a water inlet and one or more mobile LC storage tanks to mix water and LC flame retardant, thereby forming an RTU flame retardant product. For example... Figure 4A As shown, conduit 312 is fluid-coupled to an automatic proportioning mixing valve and a discharge flow meter 314A. Conduit 312 delivers RTU flame retardant product from the automatic proportioning mixing valve to one or more loading pumps 316 fluid-coupled to the conduit, which pump the RTU flame retardant product through the conduit.

[0152] like Figure 4B As shown, the mobile mixing device further includes an online sensor 318 positioned in a conduit between the automatic proportioning mixing valve and the discharge flow meter for fluid contact with the RTU flame retardant product. The online sensor 318 measures the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the conduit. As those skilled in the art will understand, the RTU flame retardant product can be characterized by a variety of parameters, such as refractive index (i.e., for salt content), viscosity, density, and pH value (all of which have suitable ranges defined by the USFS during the certification of the RTU flame retardant product). Therefore, in various non-limiting examples, the mass value measured by the online sensor may include any one or more of the aforementioned parameters, and correspondingly measured by one or more devices suitable for measuring one or more of these parameters. In one particular example, the online sensor includes an online refractometer, and the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the conduit includes at least the refractive index of the RTU flame retardant product.

[0153] Refer again Figure 3 The mobile mixing unit 300 may further include one or more controllers 390 coupled to online sensors and an automatic proportioning mixing valve to automatically adjust at least one flow variable of the LC flame retardant and water via the automatic proportioning mixing valve, based at least in part on mass values ​​measured by the online sensors. In some examples, the controller automatically adjusts one or more flow variables based at least in part on mass values ​​measured by online sensors and the online density of the RTU flame retardant product measured by an exhaust flow meter or internal flow meter. The mixing unit may also include one or more communication interfaces 326 to communicate with the controllers to the Internet and provide wireless data access in the vicinity of the mobile mixing unit to facilitate at least one of remote control, wireless updates, or troubleshooting of the mobile mixing unit.

[0154] The mobile mixing equipment also includes a power connection 304 for coupling to at least one power source for the mobile mixing equipment; and an enclosure 322 for providing a physical boundary around at least a portion of the mobile mixing equipment, including one or more mobile LC tanks. In various exemplary embodiments, the enclosure 322 is typically used to contain various materials that may leak. Thus, in some examples, the enclosure may only enclose one or more mobile LC tanks, while in other examples, the enclosure may enclose one or more mobile LC tanks and one or more other elements of the mobile mixing equipment. Furthermore, Figure 5Optional flammable cabinets are shown for storing flammable materials such as acetone, gasoline, diesel fuel, or other materials for operating system 300 or similar systems.

[0155] Regarding Figure 3 and Figure 5 The given mobile LC storage tanks 320 and 330 are shown. Figure 6-11 Various details of a mobile LC tank 420 (which may be similar to or equivalent to one or both of the mobile LC tanks 320 and 330) are shown as a non-limiting example of the innovative concept disclosed herein.

[0156] In one aspect, the mobile LC storage tank 420 is configured to agitate the LC flame retardant in a certain manner when it is present in the tank 420. Various forms of agitation are envisioned suitable for implementation in conjunction with the storage tank 420, including those that may or may not require external recirculation (e.g., using an external recirculation pump). External recirculation systems may include hoses and seals prone to failure, particularly in cold weather. If such a failure occurs, some or all of the LC flame retardant may be lost from the storage tank 420. Therefore, the inventors have recognized and understood the advantages provided by including one or more internal mixing mechanisms in the exemplary storage tank.

[0157] For example, mechanical, fluid, and / or pneumatic agitation may be employed; with regard to pneumatic agitation, compressed air may be released into the tank, and one or more bubbles generated by the compressed air may cause mixing within the tank as bubbles pass through (e.g., rise and pass through) the LC flame retardant stored in the tank.

[0158] In one specific example, the stirring of the LC flame retardant is accomplished without circulating the LC flame retardant out and back into the mobile LC storage tank. For this purpose, for example, as... Figure 6 As shown, the storage tank 420 includes one or more in-tank mechanical agitators 346. In one aspect, the in-tank mechanical agitator 346 may include one or more agitator motors 354 mounted to the top of at least one mobile LC storage tank. In other aspects, the in-tank mechanical agitator 346 may include a shaft 356 coupled to the agitator motor and extending vertically downward from the top of the mobile LC storage tank, and a plurality of blades 358 coupled to the shaft. In another aspect, one or more controllers (e.g., controller 390) are coupled to one or more in-tank mechanical agitators to control one or more agitators; in some cases, the control of one or more agitators may be based on an automatic agitation schedule.

[0159] One or more in-tank mechanical agitators 346 may include one or more blades configured to mix the contents of tank 420. The one or more blades may be embodied as multiple propeller-type blades. In one aspect, one or more in-tank mechanical agitators 346 may include a single rectangular blade (e.g., a flat panel shape), screw blade, T-blade, or U-blade, configured to agitate the contents of tank 420 by moving the contents at least partially along the axial direction of shaft 356. One or more agitator motors 354 may receive power from any suitable power source, including one or more mobile generators 324, one or more batteries, one or more fuel cells, one or more capacitors, a public power grid, or the like.

[0160] One or more controllers 390 can monitor the voltage and / or current drawn by each of one or more agitator motors 354. One or more controllers 390 can determine the state of the LC flame retardant, RTU flame retardant, or any suitable tank contents based at least in part on the current drawn by the one or more agitator motors 354. For example, biopolymer adhesives are susceptible to bacterial consumption. As the adhesive is broken down by bacteria, the viscosity of the RTU flame retardant will decrease. One or more controllers 390 can monitor changes or trends in the agitator motor current over time (e.g., one or more controllers 390 can measure the agitator motor current hourly, 6-hourly, 12-hourly, daily, weekly, etc.) and correlate current changes with changes in the viscosity of the RTU flame retardant. A decrease in viscosity over time may indicate that the RTU flame retardant is undergoing adhesive breakdown, for example, due to the presence of bacteria that feed on the adhesive. One or more controllers 390 can send notifications indicating that the RTU flame retardant should be checked, may be unsuitable for use, etc.

[0161] Additionally or alternatively, the storage tank 420 may include one or more viscometers configured to measure the viscosity of the LC flame retardant or RTU flame retardant. One or more controllers 390 may be communicatively coupled to the viscometers and configured to control one or more in-tank mechanical agitators 346 based on one or more viscosity measurements taken by the viscometers. For example, one or more controllers 390 may be configured to stop agitating the contents of the storage tank 420 when it is determined that the viscosity of the contents is sufficiently high (and therefore the contents are adequately mixed).

[0162] Tank 420 may include one or more sensors according to the present technology, such as refractometers. In one embodiment, multiple refractometers may be positioned at different heights within tank 420 to measure the refractive index of the LC flame retardant at corresponding heights. For example, one or more controllers 390 may be communicatively coupled to three refractometers positioned 1 foot above the bottom of tank 420, at the midpoint between the top and bottom of tank 420, and 1 foot from the top of tank 420, respectively. One or more controllers 390 may be configured to acquire readings from each sensor and compare the refractive index measurements. If the refractive index measurements between two or more sensors differ by more than a threshold amount, this may indicate that the LC flame retardant has settled, and one or more in-tank mechanical stirrers 346 should be activated to ensure uniform mixing of the LC flame retardant.

[0163] On the other hand, in the mobile LC storage tank 420, Figure 6 and Figure 7 The storage tank 420 shown may include a lifting system 340 to facilitate the connection between the tank and a transport vehicle (not shown) for moving the tank 420. The lifting system 340 plays a crucial role in facilitating the relatively easy movement of the tank 420; without it, those skilled in the art will readily understand that another, more significant device (e.g., a wrecker, crane, or large telescopic forklift) would be required to move the tank 420. Instead, the lifting system enables the movement and transport of the tank 420 by a conventional towing truck, which can reverse close to the tank 420, establish a hydraulic connection, jack up the tank, and then reverse under the tank as needed to complete any other required connections between the towing truck and the tank. Therefore, the lifting system 340 significantly simplifies the process of moving the tank 420 (and saves considerable cost and time if the tank needs to be moved multiple times).

[0164] On the other hand, in the mobile LC storage tank 420, Figure 6 The tank shown can be a multi-compartment tank, including at least one bulkhead 360 to form multiple compartments 342A, 342B. For example... Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the multi-compartment tank may further include at least a first feed line 362A coupled to the first compartment 342A and a second feed line 362B coupled to the second compartment 342B. More specifically, the multi-compartment tank has a front side 366 near the first compartment and a rear side 368 near the second compartment. The tank may further include a rear discharge port 364 disposed on the front side and fluidly coupled to the second compartment 342B (e.g., to facilitate access to the second compartment from the front side).

[0165] In various implementation examples, Figure 6-11The multi-compartment tank 420 shown is configured to store either or both of the following: LC flame retardant and 1) at least a portion of water from a mobile mixing device, or 2) at least a portion of RTU flame retardant product. For example, tank 420 may be configured to store LC flame retardant in a first compartment 342A and water in a second compartment 342B (in which case a water inlet is coupled to the second compartment). In this configuration, tank 420 may further include a water level sensor 332 and an automatic water filling valve 334 communicatively coupled to the water level sensor to automatically refill the second compartment with additional water when water is consumed from the second compartment to provide RTU flame retardant product; in this way, a substantially constant hydrostatic head can be maintained at tank outlet 344.

[0166] As previously mentioned, various types of water sources can be used to supply water to the mobile mixing device. Therefore, in some exemplary embodiments, the mixing device may include one or more mobile water pumps 336 coupled to a water inlet and a water source. Examples of water sources include, but are not limited to, fire hydrants, municipal water pipes, wells, water towers, external water tanks, and / or surface water sources pressurized by gravity or pumps.

[0167] Returning to the aspect of the multi-compartment tank 420, in another example, the individual compartments of the tank have different dimensions. Furthermore, a given mobile LC tank (whether single-compartment or multi-compartment) may include one or more epoxy-based internal coatings (or other equivalent coatings) to reduce or mitigate corrosion. Similarly, a given mobile LC tank typically includes one or more tank level sensors to detect the amount of contents held in the tank.

[0168] Regarding the power supply for the mobile hybrid device, in one example, the power supply is the power grid, and the power connection is coupled to the power grid. Alternatively or additionally, the power supply may include one or more mobile generators 324 (and the mobile hybrid device may include one or more of these mobile generators).

[0169] Regarding one or more pumps in or coupled to a mobile mixing unit, please refer again to... Figure 4A and Figure 4B Loading pump 316 may include an electric centrifugal pump with a horsepower rating in the range of 10 hp to 100 hp. Loading pump 316 may be configured to pump RTU flame retardant product through a conduit at a flow rate of at least 200 gallons / min, or alternatively, at a flow rate in the range of 200 gallons / min to 500 gallons / min. In one example, loading pump 316 is communicatively coupled to controller 390 and controls the flow rate of the loading pump in response to at least one pump control signal output by the controller.

[0170] In another example, the mobile hybrid unit may also include one or more non-electric mobile backup pumps 328 (e.g., gas-driven pumps, diesel-driven pumps, natural gas-driven pumps, or hydrogen-powered pumps). Furthermore, the mobile hybrid unit may include a backup circuit for the one or more mobile backup pumps (e.g., in case of electric pump failure). For this purpose, as... Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the mobile mixing device may include a backup circuit 350 fluidly coupled to a non-electric mobile backup pump 328, an automatic proportioning mixing valve 310, and a conduit 312. In this example, the mobile mixing device also includes one or more isolation valves 352 coupled to the backup circuit and operable to isolate the loading pump 316 from the backup circuit.

[0171] Combination Figure 4A and Figure 4B In one example, the mobile mixing device may further include an internal flow meter 314B coupled to a conduit 312 between the automatic proportioning mixing valve 310 and the discharge flow meter 314A. In one aspect, the internal flow meter may include an electromagnetic flow meter, a Hall effect flow meter, or a turbine flow meter, and more specifically, may include a Coriolis flow meter. In another aspect, the internal flow meter 314B provides redundant or alternative measurement to the discharge flow meter 314A. In some cases, the discharge flow meter is the property of and / or under the jurisdiction of a firefighting aircraft base. Nevertheless, in some exemplary embodiments, the discharge flow meter may form part of the mobile mixing device itself. In another aspect, the discharge flow meter is one of a micro-motion mass flow meter or a Coriolis flow meter.

[0172] Operation method of mobile mixing equipment

[0173] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of an exemplary method 1200 for operating a mobile mixing device to mix liquid concentrate (LC) flame retardant and water to produce a ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant product.

[0174] Box 1210 includes disposing of an LC flame retardant in a liquid concentrate (LC) tank. The LC tank may include multiple sensors, including a refractive index sensor, a fluid level sensor, a density sensor, a viscosity sensor, a pH sensor, a flow meter, or other suitable sensors. These sensors may be used to monitor one or more of the following parameters: the refractive index of the RTU flame retardant product, the viscosity of the RTU flame retardant product, the density of the RTU flame retardant product, the pH value of the RTU flame retardant product, or any suitable parameter. The LC tank may include one or more mechanical stirrers attached to the surface of the LC tank. The mechanical stirrers may be disposed on the top surface of the LC tank, but any surface is contemplated. The one or more mechanical stirrers may be communicatively coupled to a controller. The controller may receive multiple measurements from multiple refractive index sensors disposed in the LC tank, the multiple measurements indicating the refractive index of the LC flame retardant contained in the tank. The controller may determine that the difference between each of the multiple measurements exceeds a threshold. In response to the difference exceeding the threshold, the controller may control at least one of the mechanical stirrers or a recirculation pump to mix the LC flame retardant.

[0175] The controller can determine the current drawn by the motor mechanically coupled to the mechanical stirrer when the mechanical stirrer mixes the LC flame retardant. The controller can calculate the viscosity of the LC flame retardant based on this current, and in response to determining that the viscosity of the LC flame retardant is below a threshold, send a notification indicating the status of the LC flame retardant.

[0176] The LC tank may further include a lifting system integrated into the LC tank and configured to lift at least a portion of the LC tank. Block 1210 may further include mechanically coupling a transport vehicle to that portion of the LC tank and transporting the LC tank from a first position to a second position.

[0177] Box 1220 includes coupling the LC flame retardant with an aqueous fluid via an automatic proportioning mixing valve.

[0178] Box 1230 includes pumping an LC flame retardant through an automatic proportioning valve and into a conduit to mix the LC flame retardant with water to form a ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant product, measuring the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the conduit by a first sensor, and adjusting the automatic proportioning valve by a controller to change the flow variables of at least one of the LC flame retardant and the water, at least in part, based on the mass value. The LC flame retardant may be pumped through the automatic proportioning valve at a flow rate of at least 200 gallons / minute, between about 200 gallons / minute and about 500 gallons / minute, or any suitable flow rate.

[0179] Box 1240 includes the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the measuring conduit.

[0180] Box 1250 includes an automatic proportioning valve that adjusts at least partially based on mass values ​​to change the flow variables of at least one of the LC flame retardant and water. Box 1250 may further include an automatic proportioning valve that adjusts based on the online density of the RTU flame retardant product measured by a flow meter to change the flow variables of at least one of the LC flame retardant and water. The flow meter may include at least one of a discharge flow meter, a Coriolis flow meter, an electromagnetic flow meter, a Hall effect flow meter, or a turbine flow meter.

[0181] Components of liquid concentrate

[0182] LC flame retardants may include one or more flame retardant compounds. These flame retardant compounds may include one or more inorganic compounds, one or more organic compounds, or combinations thereof. Table 1 below shows exemplary compounds, any one or more of which may be used alone or in combination as flame retardant compounds in LC flame retardants according to the present technology.

[0183]

[0184]

[0185] The flame retardant compound can be a salt. This salt can be a phosphate. Preferably, the phosphate is an industrial-grade phosphate with a low concentration of heavy metals. The phosphate can include ammonium salts of orthophosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, tripolyphosphoric acid, or tetrapolyphosphoric acid. The phosphate in the LC flame retardant composition can include one or more of the following: ammonium orthophosphate, ammonium pyrophosphate, or ammonium polyphosphate with an average chain length of less than 20 phosphorus atoms. For example, the phosphate can include at least one of diammonium phosphate (DAP), diammonium orthophosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), monoammonium orthophosphate (MAP), and ammonium polyphosphate (APP).

[0186] Phosphate salts may include sodium phosphate salts, in addition to (or excluding) ammonium salts of orthophosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, tripolyphosphoric acid, or tetrapolyphosphoric acid. Sodium phosphate salts may include sodium salts of monophosphoric acid, diphosphoric acid, triphosphoric acid, tetraphosphoric acid, and polyphosphoric acid. Sodium phosphate salts in LC flame retardants may include one or more of the following: sodium dihydrogen phosphate (MSP), disodium hydrogen phosphate (DSP), disodium hydrogen phosphate hydrate, sodium ammonium phosphate (SAP), sodium ammonium phosphate hydrate (SAP-H), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), trisodium phosphate (TSP), and mixtures thereof. Disodium hydrogen phosphate may be anhydrous and substantially free of any hydrates. Alternatively, or in combination with anhydrous disodium hydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate may be hydrated and substantially free of any anhydrous components. The hydrate may have the formula Na₂HPO₄(H₂O). x Where x is from about 1 to about 12. For example, x can be equal to at least one of 2, 7, 8, or 12. Disodium hydrogen phosphate can contain a variety of different hydrates, Na₂HPO₄(H₂O). yThe mixture is such that, during measurement, y constitutes the average weighted number of the hydrates in the mixture, and therefore y is not necessarily an integer. For example, the average weighted value of y can be from about 2.0 to about 12.0, preferably from about 1.5 to about 11.5, more preferably from about 2.5 to about 10.5, and even more preferably from about 3.5 to about 9.5.

[0187] Sodium ammonium phosphate can be anhydrous, essentially free of any hydrates. Alternatively, or in combination with anhydrous sodium ammonium phosphate, sodium ammonium phosphate can be a hydrate. The hydrate can have the formula NaPO4HNH4(H2O). x Where x is from about 1 to about 4. For example, x can be equal to at least one of 1, 2, 3, or 4. Disodium hydrogen phosphate can also contain a variety of different hydrates, NaPO4HNH4(H2O). y The mixture is such that, during measurement, y constitutes the average weighted number of the hydrates in the mixture, and therefore y is not necessarily an integer. For example, the average weighted value of y can be from about 1.0 to about 4.0, preferably from about 1.2 to about 3.9, more preferably from about 1.4 to about 3.8, and even more preferably from about 1.6 to about 3.6. Sodium ammonium phosphate hydrate is preferably sodium ammonium phosphate tetrahydrate (SAP-TH) having the formula NaPO4HNH4(H2O)4.

[0188] In addition to (or excluding) ammonium salts and / or sodium salts of orthophosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, tripolyphosphoric acid, or tetrapolyphosphoric acid, phosphates may be calcium salts. Calcium phosphate salts may include calcium salts of orthophosphoric acid, monohydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, and / or diphosphoric acid and polyphosphoric acid. Calcium phosphate salts in LC flame retardants may include one or more of the following: calcium dihydrogen phosphate (MCP), calcium hydrogen phosphate (DCP), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), octacalcium phosphate (OCP), dicalcium pyrophosphate, calcium tripolyphosphate, hydroxyapatite, apatite, or tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP).

[0189] In addition to (or except) ammonium salts, sodium salts, and / or calcium salts of orthophosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, tripolyphosphoric acid, or tetrapolyphosphoric acid, the phosphate may be a potassium salt. The potassium salt in LC flame retardants may include one or more of the following: potassium dihydrogen phosphate (MKP), dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, or tripotassium phosphate.

[0190] The phosphate in LC flame retardants may include an ammonium source. The ammonium source may be an ammonium salt. The ammonium source may be an ammonium phosphate salt. For example, when the phosphate includes ammonium. The ammonium phosphate salt in LC flame retardants may include one or more of the following: diammonium phosphate (DAP), diammonium orthophosphate (DAP), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), monoammonium orthophosphate (MAP), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), sodium ammonium phosphate (SAP), or sodium ammonium phosphate hydrate (SAP-H). Instead of (or in addition to) ammonium phosphate salts, LC flame retardants may include non-ammonium phosphate sources. The non-ammonium phosphate source in LC flame retardants may include one or more of the following: ammonium chloride, ammonium acetate, ammonium citrate, or ammonium sulfate. Flame retardant concentrates may not contain ammonium phosphate, but when the flame retardant concentrate is diluted with water to manufacture the final flame retardant product, the final flame retardant product may contain ammonium phosphate due to ion exchange in the solution. LC flame retardants may contain mixtures of phosphates.

[0191] In some embodiments, the molar ratio of ammonia nitrogen to phosphorus (N / P molar ratio) of the phosphate mixture is from about 0.4 to about 1.4, preferably from about 0.6 to about 1.3, and more preferably from about 0.8 to about 1.1. For example, the N / P molar ratio is less than about 1.1, or about 1. For example, the N / P molar ratio may be less than 1.05, less than 1.04, less than 1.03, less than 1.02, less than 1.01, or less than 1.00. In another embodiment, the N / P molar ratio is greater than about 1.9, for example from about 1.9 to about 3.0, preferably from about 2.0 to about 2.9, and more preferably from about 2.1 to about 2.7. For example, the N / P molar ratio may be greater than 1.95, greater than 1.96, greater than 1.97, greater than 1.98, greater than 1.99, or greater than 2.0. As used herein, when referring to the nitrogen-phosphorus molar ratio (N / P molar ratio), "ammonia nitrogen" or "phosphorus" respectively refers to any ammonia nitrogen (NH4) supplied from any of the sources listed in 1. + ( ) or phosphorus. For example, the N / P ratio does not include any nitrogen or phosphorus in dyes not listed in Table 1.

[0192] The liquid concentrate may further include corrosion inhibitors to reduce or, in some cases, mitigate corrosion of various components exposed to the liquid concentrate (e.g., piping or tubes of mixing system 100) and / or the final diluted product (e.g., a dispensing system used in aircraft or ground vehicles to dispense the final diluted product). Components may be formed from a variety of materials, including but not limited to brass, iron, aluminum, steel, copper, and magnesium.

[0193] LC flame retardants and / or final dilution products may further include corrosion inhibitors. Corrosion inhibitors may include inhibitors for brass, iron, aluminum, steel, copper, and / or magnesium. Corrosion inhibitors may also include inhibitors for any of the compounds listed in Table 1. Corrosion inhibitors for magnesium may include any corrosion inhibitor disclosed in Lamaka, SV, et al., “Comprehensive screening of Mg corrosion inhibitors”, Corrosion Science 128 (2017), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Corrosion inhibitors may include alkyl groups (such as alkylamines) and / or one or more azoles. Corrosion inhibitors may include COBRATEC 928, Denatonium benzoate, benzoic acid, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, Wintrol SB 25Na, or combinations thereof. Corrosion inhibitors may include one or more azoles. Corrosion inhibitors may be Wintrol® Super Azole Mix (WintrolSAM-H90 from Wincom, Inc.). Wintrol® SAM-H90 is designed for aqueous applications. Wintrol® SAM-H90 provides corrosion resistance in highly corrosive environments caused by halogens such as chlorides. Optionally, Wintrol® SAM-H38Na can be used alone or in combination with Wintrol® SAM-H90 as a corrosion inhibitor. Corrosion inhibitors may include, but are not limited to, sodium selenite, sodium stearate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, stearic acid, sodium benzoate, sodium fluoride, sodium phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate (MSP), disodium hydrogen phosphate (DSP), and disodium hydrogen phosphate hydrate (Na2HPO4(H2O)). x (where x is approximately 1 to approximately 12), trisodium phosphate (TSP), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (MKP), dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (DKP), and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate hydrate (K2HPO4(H2O)). x (where x is approximately 3 to approximately 6), tripotassium phosphate, and tripotassium phosphate hydrate (K3PO4(H2O)). x(where x is approximately 3 to approximately 9), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), triammonium phosphate, triammonium phosphate hydrate, ferric pyrophosphate, sodium hydrogen fumarate, sodium fumarate, magnesium phosphate, benzotriazole derivatives, sodium salts of benzotriazole and its derivatives, aqueous mixtures of benzotriazole and its derivatives, benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid, benzotriazole, butylbenzotriazole, sodium butylbenzotriazole, toluenetriazole derivatives, sodium salts of toluenetriazole and its derivatives, aqueous mixtures of toluenetriazole and its derivatives, tetrahydrotoluenetriazole, toluenetriazole, hydrogenated toluenetriazole Mixtures thereof, sodium toluenetriazole, sodium toluenetriazole (50% solution), 3-hydroxyphenyl-4-phenyl-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (HPMT), 3-aminophenyl-4-phenyl-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (APMT), 3,4-diphenyl-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (DPMT), 3-cinnamyl-4-phenyl-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (CPMT), 1,8-naphthalenedialdehyde, octadecylphosphonic acid, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS), Wintrol® BBT-25Na, Wintrol BBT, Wintrol® THT-T, Wintrol® THT-35PG, Wintrol® THT-50K, Wintrol® SAM-H90, Wintrol SB 25Na, Wintrol® SAM-H38Na, Wintrol® SAM-H40(OS), Wintrol® SAM-B90, Berberine, Pyrrolidine Benzyl, Catechin, Lysergic Acid, Carmine, Fast Green, Aniline, Vanillin, Triethanolamine, Low-Potential Grade Triethanolamine (85%) TEA and 15% water), N,N,N',N-tetra(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS), tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane hydrochloride (TRIS-HCl), p-chloroaniline, p-nitroaniline, p-methoxyaniline, p-methylaniline, sodium p-isopropyltoluene, sodium silicate, sodium molybdate, sodium molybdate dihydrate, disodium molybdate, disodium molybdate dihydrate, biopolymers (such as rhamn gum, xanthan gum, gellan gum or velan gum), sodium fluorosilicate (SSF), and dimercaptothiadiazole (DMTD), or combinations thereof.

[0194] The final diluted product can be colorless (i.e., transparent, natural-colored, or free of colorants) or can be colored using colorants. The colorant can be an escape-type colorant, a non-escape-type colorant, or a combination of both. The final diluted product has a first hue, which is a color that is colorless or blends with the normal vegetation and / or ground in the application area. This first hue can be gray or white, or a combination of both. The colorant initially colors the final diluted product to a second hue that contrasts with the hue of the ground vegetation. The colorant can be an escape-type component, such as a dye or a dye dispersed in a matrix (e.g., an escape-type pigment), which fades to a colorless or lighter hue over time and under environmental field conditions. The colorant can be a mixture of organic pigments (e.g., fluorescent pigments) and inorganic pigments (e.g., iron oxide, titanium dioxide, and / or titanium dioxide). Preferably, the colorant is a colorant compatible with the flame retardant salts described herein. Escape-type colorants can fade over time upon exposure to sunlight. For example, escape-type colorants can also be fast-fading escape-type colorants designed to last from hours to weeks.

[0195] Several escape-type component dyes and pigments can be used as colorants. Colorants can be dyes and / or pigments. For example, many water-soluble dyes fade rapidly, and there are so-called fluorescent pigments (fluorescent dyes encapsulated in a resin shell or dispersed as an emulsion in thermoplastics) that are suspended in forest fire retardant compositions and also fade rapidly to provide an escape effect. Colorants can be agricultural, pesticide, or food-grade dyes or combinations of such dyes, and are red, pink, magenta, and / or cherry red. Examples of escape-type dyes and pigments include, but are not limited to, Basic Red 1 (CI), 6BL, Basic Violet 11, Basic Violet 11:1 (tetrachlorozincate), Basic Red 1:1, Basic Yellow 40, Acid Fuchsin, Basic Fuchsin, New Fuchsin, Acid Red 1, Acid Red 4, Acid Red 8, Acid Red 18, Acid Red 27, Acid Red 37, Acid Red 88, Acid Red 97, Acid Red 114, Acid Red 151, Acid Red 183, Acid Red 183, Quick Red Violet 1B (Base), Solvent Red, Rhodamine B, Rhodamine 6G, Rhodamine 123, Rhodamine 110 (Chloride), Erythrosine B, Basacryl Red, Phloxine B, Rose Red, Direct Red 80, Direct Red 80, Sudan Red 7B, Congo Red, Neutral Red, and Fluorescent Red Mega. 480, Fluorescent Red 610, Fluorescent Red 630, Fluorescent Red Mega520, Pylaklor Red S-361, Pylaklor Scarlet LX-6364A, Pylam Bright Red LX-1895, Pylam Coral LX-1801, FD&C Red #3, FD&C Red #4, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Red #4 Lake, D&C Red #33, D&C Red #33 Lake, and commercially available encapsulated dye pigments, such as the “AX” series pigments supplied by Day-Glo Color Corp., Cleveland, Ohio. The dye can be Liquidint 564 (λ=564 nm) or Liquidint Agro Pink 564 (λ=564 nm) from Millicken & Company (Spartanburg, SC). The colorant can also be an organic pigment, such as a fluorescent pigment. The fluorescent pigment may be Day-Glo Aurora pink or another pink, red, orange, or deep red (or a combination of the four) fluorescent pigment dispersion. The fluorescent pigment may be UV-sensitive and / or substantially formaldehyde-free and / or based on the International Commission on Illumination (ICILI) LAB color space model with a Lab color spacing of approximately 34 to approximately 89 for "L", approximately 18 to approximately 83 for "a", and approximately -61 to approximately 56 for "b".

[0196] Colorants may be from Greenville Colorants (New Brunswick, NJ) or Millicken & Company (Spartanburg, SC). For example, a colorant is one that is compatible with the flame retardant salts described herein, such as those used in magnesium chloride dust suppression and road stabilization formulations or magnesium chloride de-icing formulations. Colorants may be Elcomine Scarlet NAS, Elcomine Scarlet NAS EX, or Iron Oxide GC-110P from Greenville Colorants. A combination of Liquidint 564 and Iron Oxide GC-110P may also be used.

[0197] The colorant in the final diluted product can be a dye or an encapsulated dye-escape pigment that does not contain UV absorbers. Compared to water-soluble dyes, encapsulated dye pigments are less likely to permanently contaminate the normal vegetation and / or ground in the placement area. The escape component is present in the final diluted product in an amount that provides a color (second hue) that contrasts with the color of the vegetation and / or ground in the placement area (typically green, blue-green, and / or brown). Advantageously, the second hue is red, orange, or pink. The color of the dye can be red, orange, purple, or pink, or any combination of the four. Preferably, the dye is compatible with the flame retardant salts described herein. Alternatively, the final diluted product can be colorless if no colorant is added.

[0198] The colorant may also include a non-escape component, i.e., a component that is insoluble in the carrier liquid and, if colored, will not necessarily fade after air application of the final diluted product. The non-escape component in the final diluted product is present in an amount sufficient to improve the air visibility of the composition upon initial application to vegetation. However, the amount of the non-escape component present is less than the amount required to prevent the composition from subsequently fading to a neutral color. The colorant may be a combination of escape and non-escape components. The non-escape component in the final diluted product may be iron oxide (Fe2O3 and / or Fe3O4). Iron oxide may be present in combination with the aforementioned escape colorant and titanium dioxide, or may be present alone. The weight of the non-escape colorant may contain a minimum of 12 grams of non-escape colorant according to specification 5100-304d (January 7, 2020), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0199] The colorant (e.g., fluorescent pigment) is present in a weight percentage of about 0.1% to about 15.0% relative to the amount of flame retardant compound in the liquid concentrate, preferably about 0.2% to about 12.0%, more preferably about 0.3% to about 10.0%, and more specifically about 0.4% to about 8.0%. For example, the colorant is present in a weight percentage of about 0.5% to about 5.0% relative to the amount of flame retardant compound in the liquid concentrate.

[0200] Liquid concentrates may also include inorganic pigments. Inorganic pigments can act as colorants. Inorganic pigments may include, but are not limited to, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, magnesium hydroxide, cobalt blue, sky blue, malachite, earth green, raw ochre, raw umber, iron black, or burnt umber. Iron oxide can act as an opacifier. Titanium dioxide can act as a pigment, for example, providing a white pigment. Titanium dioxide can also act as a photoresponsive material to produce opacity by scattering light or protecting components of the liquid concentrate from UV degradation.

[0201] The inorganic pigment accounts for about 0.02% to about 4.0% of the weight of the flame retardant compound in the liquid concentrate, preferably about 0.04% to about 3.5%, more preferably about 0.06% to about 3.0%, and more specifically about 0.08% to about 2.5%. For example, the inorganic pigment accounts for about 0.1% to about 2.0% of the weight of the flame retardant compound in the liquid concentrate.

[0202] The total colorant, by weight, is about 0.1% to about 30.0% of the flame retardant compound in the liquid concentrate, preferably about 0.2% to about 28.0%, more preferably about 0.3% to about 25%, and more specifically about 0.4% to about 20.0%. For example, the total colorant, by weight, is about 0.5% to about 18.0% of the flame retardant compound in the liquid concentrate.

[0203] The weight percentage of the flame retardant compound relative to the total weight of the liquid concentrate can be from about 5% to about 85%, for example from about 20% to about 80%, preferably from about 30% to about 75%, and particularly from about 35% to about 70%. The weight percentage of the flame retardant compound relative to the total weight of the liquid concentrate can be in the range of about 8% to about 12%.

[0204] The liquid concentrate can be any liquid concentrate disclosed in the following patents and / or an intermediate liquid concentrate formed from a dry concentrate: U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 894,231, filed June 5, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 894,214, filed June 5, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 105,019, filed November 25, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 213,770, filed March 26, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 213,780, filed March 26, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 531,269, filed November 19, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,943, filed December 1, 2022; and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 060,943, filed September 24, 2020. U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 031,024, filed March 26, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 214,266, filed November 19, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 531,295, filed December 1, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,941, filed December 1, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 458,002, filed August 26, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 845,569, filed June 21, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 182,198, filed March 10, 2023; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 425,075, filed January 29, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 031,024, filed December 15, 2021. U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 552,196, filed August 19, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 821,060, filed December 1, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,946, filed April 12, 2023; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 299,525, filed January 4, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 404,027, filed January 4, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 404,387, filed December 20, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 061,542, filed December 5, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 552,196, filed August 19, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,946, filed December 18, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,947, filed December 4, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 061,542, filed August 16, 2023; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,947, filed December 20, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 061,542, filed December 5, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,947, filed August 16, 2023; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,947, filed December 4, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,947, filed December 5, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 450,892, filed March 12, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 602,657, filed October 7, 2024; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 858,640, filed June 7, 2019; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 450,892, filed March 12, 2024; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 908,107, filed October 7, 2024; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 858,640, filed June 7, 2019; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 450,892, filed March 12, 2024; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 908,107, filed OctoberU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 989,350; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 024,040, filed May 13, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 325,876, filed March 31, 2022; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 028,765, filed May 22, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 140,657, filed January 22, 2021; and / or U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 686,448, filed August 23, 2024, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0205] The viscosity of the liquid concentrate can be in the range of about 10 cP to about 10,000 cP. For example, the viscosity of the liquid concentrate can be about 100 cP to about 8,000 cP, preferably about 500 cP to about 7,000 cP, more preferably about 1,000 cP to about 6,000 cP, more preferably about 1,500 cP to about 5,000 cP, and even more preferably about 1,750 cP to about 2,250 cP at 70°F. For example, the viscosity of the liquid concentrate at 70°F can be about 1,970 cP to about 2,090 cP.

[0206] To form the final diluted product and / or the RTU flame retardant product, the liquid concentrate can be diluted with water. In other words, the final diluted product comprises a first amount of liquid concentrate and a second amount of water. The mixing ratio (defined as the ratio of water to liquid concentrate) can be from about 45:1 to about 0.2:1 (water:liquid concentrate), preferably from about 20:1 to about 0.5:1, more preferably from about 10:1 to about 0.75:1, and specifically from about 5:1 to about 1:1. For example, the liquid concentrate can be diluted at a mixing ratio of 2:1 (water:liquid concentrate) to form the final diluted product. As another example, the liquid concentrate can be diluted at a mixing ratio of 1.895:1 (water:liquid concentrate) on a weight / weight basis.

[0207] The liquid concentrate can be diluted with water so that the final diluted product has a weight percentage of about 2% to about 70%, preferably about 5% to about 40%, and more preferably about 7% to about 30% of a flame retardant compound (e.g., salt). For example, the concentration of the flame retardant compound (e.g., salt) in the final diluted product is about 8% to about 25%.

[0208] The liquid concentrate can be diluted with water so that the final diluted product has a flame retardant concentration of about 300 to about 900 grams of flame retardant per gallon of water, preferably about 450 to about 800 grams of flame retardant per gallon of water, more preferably about 500 to about 750 grams of flame retardant per gallon of water.

[0209] The final diluted product is a long-lasting forest fire retardant with improved aerial visibility, used to directly or indirectly combat forest fires. The resulting final diluted product can be an opaque, red suspension with anti-settling properties. The final diluted product can be mixed approximately every 7–10 days to ensure uniform density and homogeneity.

[0210] The final diluted product can be any of the final diluted products disclosed in the following patents: U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 894,231, filed June 5, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 894,214, filed June 5, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 105,019, filed November 25, 2020; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 213,770, filed March 26, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 213,780, filed March 26, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 531,269, filed November 19, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,943, filed December 1, 2022; and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 060,943, filed September 24, 2020. U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 031,024, filed March 26, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 214,266, filed November 19, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 531,295, filed December 1, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,941, filed December 1, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 458,002, filed August 26, 2021; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 845,569, filed June 21, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 182,198, filed March 10, 2023; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 425,075, filed January 29, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 031,024, filed December 15, 2021. U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 552,196, filed August 19, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 821,060, filed December 1, 2022; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 060,946, filed April 12, 2023; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 299,525, filed January 4, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 404,027, filed January 4, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 404,387, filed December 20, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 990,647, filed December 5, 2022. U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 061,542, filed August 16, 2023; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 450,892, filed March 12, 2024; U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 602,657, filed October 7, 2024; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 858,640, filed June 7, 2019; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 989,350, filed March 13, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 061,542, filed August 16, 2023; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 450,892, filed March 12, 2024; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 908,107, filed October 7, 2024; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 858,640, filed June 7, 2019; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 989,350, filed March 13, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 061,542, filed March 16, 2023; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 450,892, filed March 16, 2023; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 602,657, filed March 12, 2024; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 18 / 908,107, filed October 7, 2024; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 858,640, filed June 7, 2019; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 024,040, filed March 31, 2022; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 325,876, filed May 22, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 028,765, filed January 22, 2021; and / or U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 140,657, filed August 23, 2024. Each of the foregoing applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0211] The viscosity of the final diluted product can be adjusted to suit various aircraft and ground vehicles by adjusting the amount of thickener added to the liquid concentrate before dilution or by adjusting the dilution factor of the liquid concentrate. In some versions, the final diluted product can be a medium-viscosity long-term flame retardant. The viscosity of a medium-viscosity diluted flame retardant can range from 300 cP to 800 cP, more preferably from about 460 cP to about 490 cP at 70°F.

[0212] In one embodiment, the pH of the final diluted product is from about 4.0 to about 10.0, preferably from about 4.5 to about 9.8, more preferably from about 5.0 to about 9.5, and even more preferably from about 5.5 to about 9.0. For example, the pH of the final diluted product can be approximately 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, or 9.0, or any value between 5.5 and 9.0. The freezing temperature of the final diluted product can be in the range of 15°F to 25°F. Once mixed with water, the final diluted product can be a homogeneous and stable fluid.

[0213] According to the terms of the exemplary systems and methods of this technology

[0214] Clause 1. A mobile mixing device deployed at a firefighting aircraft base to provide ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant products containing at least one flame retardant salt for loading onto firefighting aircraft, the mobile mixing device comprising: a water inlet for coupling to a water source to supply water to the mixing device; a power connector for coupling to at least one power source of the mobile mixing device; at least one mobile liquid concentrate (LC) tank for holding the liquid concentrate (LC) flame retardant containing the at least one flame retardant salt; an automatic proportioning mixing valve fluidly coupled to the water inlet and the at least one mobile LC tank to mix water and the LC flame retardant and thereby form the RTU flame retardant product; and at least one conduit fluidly coupled to the automatic proportioning mixing valve and a discharge flow meter to displace the RTU flame retardant product from the water inlet. The system comprises: an automatic proportioning mixing valve; at least one loading pump fluidly coupled to the at least one conduit to pump RTU flame retardant product through the at least one conduit; an online sensor positioned in the at least one conduit between the automatic proportioning mixing valve and the discharge flow meter to contact the RTU flame retardant product fluidly to measure the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the at least one conduit; at least one controller coupled to the online sensor and the automatic proportioning mixing valve to automatically adjust at least one flow variable of LC flame retardant and water via the automatic proportioning mixing valve, at least in part based on the mass value measured by the online sensor; and an enclosure device for providing a physical boundary around at least a portion of the mobile mixing equipment (including the at least one mobile LC tank).

[0215] Clause 2. The mobile mixing device of Clause 1, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank is configured to agitate the LC flame retardant when it is present in the at least one mobile LC tank, without circulating the LC flame retardant out and back into the at least one mobile LC tank.

[0216] Clause 3. A mobile mixing device of Clause 1 or Clause 2, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank includes at least one in-tank mechanical agitator.

[0217] Clause 4. The mobile mixing equipment of the foregoing appropriate clauses, wherein the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator comprises at least one agitator motor mounted on the at least one mobile LC tank.

[0218] Clause 5. A mobile mixing device according to any of the foregoing appropriate clauses, wherein the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator further comprises: a shaft coupled to the at least one agitator motor and extending from the surface of the at least one mobile LC tank; and at least one blade coupled to the shaft.

[0219] Clause 6. A mobile mixing device according to any of the foregoing appropriate clauses, wherein the at least one controller is coupled to the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator to control the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator.

[0220] Clause 7. Any mobile mixing device as specified in the foregoing applicable clauses, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator according to an automatic mixing schedule.

[0221] Clause 8. Any mobile mixing equipment as described in the foregoing applicable clauses, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank includes at least one lifting system to facilitate the connection of the at least one mobile LC tank to a transport vehicle for moving the at least one LC tank.

[0222] Clause 9. Any mobile mixing device specified in the foregoing applicable clauses further includes at least one mobile water pump coupled to a water inlet and a water source.

[0223] Clause 10. Any mobile mixing device subject to the foregoing applicable clauses, wherein the water inlet is coupled to a water source comprising at least one of the following: a fire hydrant; a municipal water pipe; a well; a water tower; an external water tank; or a surface water source pressurized by gravity or a pump.

[0224] Clause 11. Any mobile mixing equipment as described in the foregoing clauses, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank comprises at least one epoxy-based internal coating to reduce or mitigate corrosion.

[0225] Clause 12. Any mobile mixing device according to the foregoing clauses, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank includes at least one tank level sensor to detect the quantity of contents held in the at least one mobile LC tank.

[0226] Clause 13. Any mobile mixing device of the foregoing clause further includes at least one recirculation pump coupled to the at least one mobile LC tank for recirculating the LC flame retardant.

[0227] Clause 14. Any mobile hybrid device as described in the preceding clause, wherein the at least one power source is the power grid, and wherein a power connection is coupled to the power grid.

[0228] Clause 15. Any mobile hybrid device as described in the preceding clause, wherein the at least one power source comprises at least one mobile generator, and wherein the mobile hybrid device comprises the at least one mobile generator.

[0229] Clause 16. Any mobile mixing equipment as described in the preceding clause, wherein the at least one loading pump comprises an electric centrifugal pump with a horsepower rating in the range of 10 to 100 horsepower.

[0230] Clause 17. Any mobile mixing equipment mentioned in the foregoing clauses further includes at least one non-electric mobile backup pump.

[0231] Clause 18. Any mobile hybrid device as described in the foregoing applicable clauses, wherein the at least one non-electric mobile standby pump comprises at least one of a gas-driven pump, a diesel-driven pump, a natural gas-driven pump, or a hydrogen-powered pump.

[0232] Clause 19. Any mobile mixing device according to the foregoing appropriate clauses further includes a backup circuit fluidly coupled to a non-electric mobile backup pump, an automatic proportioning mixing valve, and the at least one conduit.

[0233] Clause 20. Any mobile mixing device according to the foregoing appropriate clauses further includes at least one isolation valve coupled to a backup circuit and operable to isolate the at least one loading pump from the backup circuit.

[0234] Clause 21. Any mobile mixing device as described in the preceding clause, wherein the at least one loading pump is configured to pump the RTU flame retardant product through at least one conduit at a flow rate of at least 200 gallons per minute.

[0235] Clause 22. Any mobile mixing device as described in the preceding clause, wherein the at least one loading pump is configured to pump the RTU flame retardant product through at least one conduit at a flow rate in the range of 200 gallons / min to 500 gallons / min.

[0236] Clause 23. Any mobile mixing device according to the foregoing clause, wherein: the at least one loading pump is communicatively coupled to the at least one controller, and controls the flow rate of the at least one loading pump in response to at least one pump control signal output by the at least one controller.

[0237] Clause 24. Any mobile mixing device of the foregoing clause further includes an internal flow meter coupled to the at least one conduit between the automatic proportioning mixing valve and the discharge flow meter.

[0238] Clause 25. Any mobile mixing device as described in the foregoing applicable clauses, wherein the internal flow meter includes one of an electromagnetic flow meter, a Hall effect flow meter, or a turbine flow meter.

[0239] Clause 26. Any mobile mixing device subject to the foregoing applicable clauses, wherein the internal flow meter includes a Coriolis flow meter.

[0240] Clause 27. Any mobile mixing equipment mentioned in the foregoing clauses further includes an emission flow meter.

[0241] Clause 28. Any mobile mixing device subject to the foregoing applicable clauses, wherein the discharge flow meter is one of a micro-motion mass flow meter or a Coriolis flow meter.

[0242] Clause 29. A mobile mixing device according to any of the foregoing appropriate clauses, wherein: the at least one controller is communicatively coupled to an online sensor, a flow meter, and an automatic proportioning mixing valve to automatically adjust at least one flow variable of the LC flame retardant and water via the automatic proportioning mixing valve, based at least in part on the mass value measured by the online sensor and the online density of the RTU flame retardant product measured by the flow meter.

[0243] Clause 30. Any mobile mixing device as described in the foregoing clause, wherein the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the at least one conduit, as measured by an online sensor, includes at least one of the following: the refractive index of the RTU flame retardant product; the viscosity of the RTU flame retardant product; the density of the RTU flame retardant product; or the pH value of the RTU flame retardant product.

[0244] Clause 31. Any mobile mixing device according to the foregoing appropriate clause, wherein the online sensor includes an online refractometer, and wherein the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in said at least one conduit includes at least the refractive index of the RTU flame retardant product.

[0245] Clause 32. Any mobile hybrid device under the foregoing clauses further includes at least one communication interface for communicatingly coupling the at least one controller to the Internet and providing wireless data access in the vicinity of the mobile hybrid device to facilitate at least one of remote control, wireless updates, or troubleshooting of the mobile hybrid device.

[0246] Clause 33. Any mobile mixing device according to the foregoing clause, wherein: the enclosure provides a secondary container for the contents stored in the at least one LC tank; and the enclosure is configured to accommodate all contents of the largest tank of the at least one LC tank.

[0247] Clause 34. A method of operating a mobile mixing device to mix a liquid concentrate (LC) flame retardant and water to produce a ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant product, the method comprising: disposing of the LC flame retardant in a liquid concentrate (LC) tank; fluidly coupling the LC flame retardant to water via an automatic proportioning valve; pumping the LC flame retardant through the automatic proportioning valve and into a conduit to mix the LC flame retardant with water to form the RTU flame retardant product; measuring a mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the conduit via a first sensor; and adjusting the automatic proportioning valve by a controller to change the flow variable of at least one of the LC flame retardant and water, at least in part, based on the mass value.

[0248] Clause 35. Any method of the foregoing appropriate clause, wherein the quality value of the RTU flame retardant product includes at least one of the following: the refractive index of the RTU flame retardant product; the viscosity of the RTU flame retardant product; the density of the RTU flame retardant product; or the pH value of the RTU flame retardant product.

[0249] Clause 36. Any method of the foregoing appropriate clause further comprises: receiving by a controller a plurality of measurements from a plurality of refractive index sensors disposed in an LC tank, the plurality of measurements indicating the refractive index of the LC flame retardant contained in the tank; determining by the controller that the difference between each of the plurality of measurements exceeds a threshold; and in response to the difference exceeding the threshold, controlling by the controller at least one of a mechanical stirrer or a recirculation pump to mix the LC flame retardant.

[0250] Clause 37. Any method of the foregoing appropriate clause further includes: the controller determining the current drawn by a motor mechanically coupled to the mechanical stirrer when the mechanical stirrer mixes the LC flame retardant; and the controller calculating the viscosity of the LC flame retardant based on the determined current.

[0251] Clause 38. Any method of the foregoing appropriate clause further includes: in response to determining that the viscosity of the LC flame retardant is below a threshold, sending a notification indicating the status of the LC flame retardant.

[0252] Clause 39. Any of the methods described in the foregoing appropriate clauses further include: lifting at least a portion of the LC tank by a lifting system integrated in the LC tank; mechanically coupling a transport vehicle to that portion of the LC tank; and transporting the LC tank from a first position to a second position.

[0253] Clause 40. Any of the foregoing appropriate provisions of the method wherein the LC flame retardant is pumped through an automatic proportioning mixing valve at a flow rate of at least 200 gallons per minute.

[0254] Clause 41. Any of the foregoing appropriate provisions, wherein the LC flame retardant is pumped through an automatic proportioning mixing valve at a flow rate between 200 gallons / min and 500 gallons / min.

[0255] Clause 42. Any method described in the foregoing appropriate clause further includes adjusting an automatic proportioning mixing valve based on the online density of the RTU flame retardant product as measured by a flow meter to change the flow variable of at least one of the LC flame retardant and water.

[0256] Clause 43. Any method of the foregoing appropriate clause, wherein the flow meter includes at least one of a discharge flow meter, a Coriolis flow meter, an electromagnetic flow meter, a Hall effect flow meter, or a turbine flow meter.

[0257] in conclusion

[0258] Although various innovative embodiments are described and illustrated herein, those skilled in the art will readily conceive of various other means and / or structures to perform the functions and / or obtain the results and / or one or more advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is considered to be within the scope of the innovative embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily understand that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are intended to be exemplary, and actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend on one or more specific applications using the innovative teachings. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to determine many equivalents of the particular innovative embodiments described herein using only conventional experimentation. Therefore, it should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are given by way of example only, and innovative embodiments may be practiced in ways other than those specifically described and claimed within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. The innovative embodiments of this disclosure relate to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. Furthermore, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods that does not contradict each other is included within the scope of the innovations of this disclosure.

[0259] Furthermore, various innovative concepts can be embodied in one or more methods, an example of which has been provided. Actions performed as part of a method can be ordered in any suitable manner. Therefore, embodiments in which actions are performed in a different order than those shown can be constructed, which may include performing certain actions simultaneously, even if they are shown as sequential actions in the illustrative embodiment.

[0260] All definitions used herein should be understood as control dictionary definitions, definitions in referenced and incorporated literature, and / or the general meaning of the definition terms.

[0261] Unless explicitly indicated to the contrary, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” as used herein in the specification and claims shall be understood to mean “at least one”.

[0262] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase “and / or” should be understood to mean “any one or both” of the elements so connected, i.e., elements that coexist in some cases and elements that exist separately in others. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be interpreted in the same way, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so connected. Other elements may optionally exist, whether related to or unrelated to those specifically identified by the “and / or” clause. Thus, as a non-limiting example, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising,” a reference to “A and / or B” may in one embodiment refer only to A (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, only to B (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, both A and B (optionally including other elements); and so on.

[0263] As used herein in the specification and claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” should be interpreted as inclusive, i.e., including at least one of the multiple or listed elements, but also including multiple, and optionally additional unlisted items. Only terms that explicitly indicate the opposite, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of”, or when used in claims, “consisting of”, refer to including exactly one of the multiple or listed elements. Generally, the term “or” as used herein is interpreted as indicating an exclusive alternative (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) only when preceded by an exclusive term (such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of”). “Substantially consisting of” when used in claims should have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0264] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "at least one," when referring to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more elements in the list, but not necessarily including every single element specifically listed in the list and at least one of each element, and does not exclude any combination of elements in the list. This definition also allows for the optional presence of elements other than those specifically identified in the list of elements referred to by the phrase "at least one," whether related to or unrelated to those specifically identified elements. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or equivalently, "at least one of A or B," or equivalently, "at least one of A and / or B") in one embodiment may refer to at least one, optionally including multiple A's, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, it refers to at least one, optionally including multiple B's, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, it refers to at least one, optionally including multiple A's, and at least one, optionally including multiple B's (and optionally including other elements); and so on.

[0265] In the claims, and in the foregoing description, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “consisting of,” etc., shall be understood as open-ended, that is, referring to including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “substantially consisting of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as described in Section 2111.03 of the U.S. Patent Examination Procedure Manual.

Claims

1. A mobile mixing device deployed at a firefighting aircraft base to provide ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant products containing at least one flame retardant salt for loading onto firefighting aircraft, the mobile mixing device comprising: A water inlet used to couple to a water source to provide water to the mixing equipment; A power connector for coupling to at least one power source of a mobile hybrid device; At least one mobile liquid concentrate (LC) storage tank for holding a liquid concentrate (LC) flame retardant containing the at least one flame retardant salt; An automatic proportioning mixing valve, fluidly coupled to a water inlet and the at least one mobile LC storage tank, to mix water and LC flame retardant and thereby form an RTU flame retardant product; At least one conduit, fluidly coupled to an automatic proportioning mixing valve and an exhaust flow meter, is provided to deliver the RTU flame retardant product from the automatic proportioning mixing valve; At least one loading pump, fluidly coupled to the at least one conduit, to pump the RTU flame retardant product through the at least one conduit; An online sensor is positioned in at least one conduit between an automatic proportioning mixing valve and an exhaust flow meter to come into fluid contact with the RTU flame retardant product to measure the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the at least one conduit. At least one controller, coupled to an online sensor and an automatic proportional mixing valve, automatically adjusts at least one flow variable of LC flame retardant and water via the automatic proportional mixing valve, based at least in part on the mass value measured by the online sensor; as well as Enclosing device for providing a physical boundary around at least a portion of a mobile mixing device including the at least one mobile LC storage tank.

2. The mobile mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank is configured to agitate the LC flame retardant when the LC flame retardant is present in the at least one mobile LC tank, without circulating the LC flame retardant out and back into the at least one mobile LC tank.

3. The mobile mixing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank includes at least one in-tank mechanical agitator.

4. The mobile mixing device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator comprises at least one agitator motor mounted on the at least one mobile LC tank.

5. The mobile mixing device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator further comprises: A shaft coupled to the at least one agitator motor and extending from the surface of the at least one mobile LC tank; as well as At least one blade coupled to the shaft.

6. The mobile mixing device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the at least one controller is coupled to the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator to control the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator.

7. The mobile mixing device of claim 6, wherein the at least one controller is configured to control the at least one in-tank mechanical agitator according to an automatic mixing schedule.

8. The mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank includes at least one lifting system to facilitate the connection of the at least one mobile LC tank to a transport vehicle for moving the at least one LC tank.

9. The mobile mixing device of claim 1, further comprising at least one mobile water pump coupled to a water inlet and a water source.

10. The mobile mixing device of claim 9, wherein the water source coupled to the water inlet comprises at least one of the following: fire hydrant; Municipal water pipes; well; Water tower; External water tank; or Surface water sources that are pressurized by gravity or pumps.

11. The mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank comprises at least one epoxy-based internal coating to reduce or mitigate corrosion.

12. The mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one mobile LC tank includes at least one tank level sensor to detect the quantity of contents held in the at least one mobile LC tank.

13. The mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one recirculation pump coupled to the at least one mobile LC tank for recirculating the LC flame retardant.

14. The mobile hybrid device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one power source is an electric grid, and wherein the power connection is coupled to the electric grid.

15. A mobile hybrid device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one power source comprises at least one mobile generator, and wherein the mobile hybrid device comprises the at least one mobile generator.

16. The mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one loading pump comprises an electric centrifugal pump with a horsepower rating in the range of 10 to 100 horsepower.

17. The mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one non-electric mobile backup pump.

18. The mobile hybrid device of claim 17, wherein the at least one non-electric mobile backup pump comprises at least one of a gas-driven pump, a diesel-driven pump, a natural gas-driven pump, or a hydrogen-powered pump.

19. The mobile mixing device according to claim 17 or any one of claim 18, further comprising a backup circuit fluidly coupled to a non-electric mobile backup pump, an automatic proportioning mixing valve, and the at least one conduit.

20. The mobile mixing device of claim 19, further comprising at least one isolation valve coupled to a backup circuit and operable to isolate the at least one loading pump from the backup circuit.

21. The mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one loading pump is configured to pump the RTU flame retardant product through at least one conduit at a flow rate of at least 200 gallons per minute.

22. The mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one loading pump is configured to pump the RTU flame retardant product through at least one conduit at a flow rate in the range of 200 gallons / min to 500 gallons / min.

23. A mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one loading pump is communicatively coupled to the at least one controller and controls the flow rate of the at least one loading pump in response to at least one pump control signal output by the at least one controller.

24. The mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an internal flow meter coupled to the at least one conduit between the automatic proportioning mixing valve and the discharge flow meter.

25. The mobile mixing device of claim 24, wherein the internal flow meter comprises one of an electromagnetic flow meter, a Hall effect flow meter, or a turbine flow meter.

26. The mobile mixing device of claim 24, wherein the internal flow meter comprises a Coriolis flow meter.

27. The mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an exhaust flow meter.

28. The mobile mixing device according to claim 27, wherein the discharge flow meter is one of a micro-motion mass flow meter or a Coriolis flow meter.

29. The mobile mixing device according to claim 27 or claim 28, wherein: The at least one controller is communicatively coupled to an online sensor, a flow meter, and an automatic proportional mixing valve to automatically adjust at least one flow variable of the LC flame retardant and water via the automatic proportional mixing valve, based at least in part on the mass value measured by the online sensor and the online density of the RTU flame retardant product measured by the flow meter.

30. A mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the at least one conduit, measured by an online sensor, includes at least one of the following: The refractive index of RTU flame retardant products; Viscosity of RTU flame retardant products; Density of RTU flame retardant products; or pH value of RTU flame retardant products.

31. The mobile mixing device of claim 30, wherein the online sensor includes an online refractometer, and wherein the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the at least one conduit includes at least the refractive index of the RTU flame retardant product.

32. The mobile hybrid device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one communication interface for communicatively coupling the at least one controller to the Internet and providing wireless data access in the vicinity of the mobile hybrid device to facilitate at least one of remote control, wireless updates, or troubleshooting of the mobile hybrid device.

33. A mobile mixing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: The enclosure provides a secondary container for the contents stored in the at least one LC tank; and The enclosure is configured to accommodate all contents of the largest tank of the at least one LC tank.

34. A method of operating a mobile mixing device to combine a liquid concentrate (LC) flame retardant and water to manufacture a ready-to-use (RTU) flame retardant product, the method comprising: The LC flame retardant is placed in a liquid concentrate (LC) storage tank; The LC flame retardant is coupled to the water fluid via an automatic proportioning mixing valve; The LC flame retardant is pumped through an automatic proportioning mixing valve and into a conduit to mix the LC flame retardant with water, thereby forming the RTU flame retardant product. The mass value of the RTU flame retardant product in the conduit is measured using the first sensor; as well as The controller adjusts the automatic proportional mixing valve to change the flow variables of at least one of the LC flame retardant and water, at least in part, based on mass values.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the mass value of the RTU flame retardant product includes at least one of the following: The refractive index of RTU flame retardant products; Viscosity of RTU flame retardant products; Density of RTU flame retardant products; or pH value of RTU flame retardant products.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising: The controller receives multiple measurements from corresponding multiple refractive index sensors located in the LC tank, the multiple measurements indicating the refractive index of the LC flame retardant contained in the tank; The controller determines that the difference between each of the plurality of measurements exceeds a threshold. as well as In response to a difference exceeding a threshold, the controller controls at least one of a mechanical stirrer or a recirculation pump to mix the LC flame retardant.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising: The controller determines the current drawn by the motor mechanically coupled to the mechanical stirrer when the mechanical stirrer mixes the LC flame retardant; The viscosity of the LC flame retardant is calculated by the controller based on a determined current.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising: In response to determining that the viscosity of the LC flame retardant is below a threshold, a notification indicating the status of the LC flame retardant is sent.

39. The method of claim 34, further comprising: At least a portion of the LC storage tank is lifted by a lifting system integrated into the LC storage tank; This part of the transport vehicle is mechanically coupled to the LC storage tank; as well as Transport the LC storage tank from the first location to the second location.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein the LC flame retardant is pumped through an automatic proportioning mixing valve at a flow rate of at least 200 gallons per minute.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein the LC flame retardant is pumped through an automatic proportioning mixing valve at a flow rate between 200 gallons / min and 500 gallons / min.

42. The method of claim 34, further comprising adjusting an automatic proportioning mixing valve based on the online density of the RTU flame retardant product measured by a flow meter to change the flow variables of at least one of the LC flame retardant and water.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the flow meter comprises at least one of a discharge flow meter, a Coriolis flow meter, an electromagnetic flow meter, a Hall effect flow meter, or a turbine flow meter.

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