Fire extinguishing system for fighting ion fires

Abstract

The invention relates to an extinguishing system (1) for combating ion fires with a control device (2) and a fire sensor (3) for detecting fires, wherein the control device (2) controls a solenoid valve (7) to direct an extinguishing medium to a sprinkler nozzle (6). To extinguish ion fires quickly with reduced water usage, it is proposed that an open sprinkler nozzle (6) be used as the sprinkler nozzle (6) and that a mixture of water and an emulsion or micelle-forming extinguishing agent be used as the extinguishing medium, wherein the extinguishing agent enables evaporation of water below its usual boiling point, wherein the extinguishing medium is preset with an exact mixing ratio in the range between 98% water and 2% extinguishing agent and 96% water and 4% extinguishing agent.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an extinguishing system for combating ion fires according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In practice, sprinkler systems are often used to extinguish fires. Sprinkler systems are automatic fire suppression systems that consist of a network of pipes throughout buildings, with sprinkler nozzles attached to these pipes. The sprinkler nozzles have a mechanism that, when the temperature rises, for example due to fire, causes the nozzle to open, thus allowing water to escape. Once the sprinkler nozzle is open, water is sprayed under pressure, fighting the fire directly at its source.

[0003] However, sprinkler systems are not ideal for fighting electrical fires or ion fires, which can occur when batteries or electric vehicles catch fire, especially lithium-ion batteries. Experience has shown that extinguishing such ion fires requires a very large quantity of water to bring them under control. Furthermore, the extinguishing process takes a relatively long time, meaning the fire and thus the danger persist for a considerable period, and the large volume of water used also increases the risk of consequential damage.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to create a fire extinguishing system suitable for fighting ion fires and avoiding the aforementioned disadvantages of sprinkler systems.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by an extinguishing system for combating ion fires according to the features of claim 1.

[0006] According to the invention, an extinguishing system for combating ion fires is proposed, comprising a control device and at least one fire sensor connected to the control device for generating a fire alarm signal, at least one solenoid valve which is controlled by the control device, and at least one sprinkler nozzle connected to the solenoid valve via an extinguishing agent line, wherein the control device is designed to open the at least one solenoid valve in the event of a fire alarm signal, so that an extinguishing medium is supplied to the sprinkler nozzle for fire suppression.The essential feature is that at least one sprinkler nozzle is designed as an open sprinkler nozzle, and that the extinguishing medium is a mixture of water and an emulsion-forming or micelle-forming extinguishing agent which enables the evaporation of water below its usual boiling point, wherein the mixture has a precisely set mixing ratio in the range between 98% water and 2% extinguishing agent and 96% water and 4% extinguishing agent.

[0007] A major advantage is that using an extinguishing agent that reduces the boiling point of water causes a larger quantity of water to evaporate during a fire. Due to water's high enthalpy of vaporization, this quickly removes a significant amount of energy from the fire. As a result, the burning material can be cooled rapidly, and the fire extinguished. The boiling point can be reduced, for example, to approximately 90°C, or to a value between 90°C and 80°C, or to a value between 80°C and 70°C, by adding the extinguishing agent.

[0008] Another advantage is that the extinguishing agent can provide an additional safety effect through encapsulation. Through encapsulation technology, burning substances are encapsulated by the extinguishing agent and are therefore permanently non-flammable. This combines two beneficial effects to extinguish fires quickly. Firstly, the burning materials are effectively cooled by the evaporation of the water at its lower boiling point, and secondly, the burning materials are neutralized by the encapsulation and are therefore no longer flammable.

[0009] In particular, encapsulation can be achieved by forming an emulsion or by forming micelles. Micelle formation is especially effective in encapsulating molecules of the flammable substances, thus effectively suppressing evaporation from the resulting emulsion.

[0010] A further advantage is the use of open sprinkler nozzles in combination with active control via a fire sensor and a solenoid valve. This allows for targeted active control via the control unit to efficiently combat fires at their point of origin. To prevent the spread of fires, the control unit can regulate the location of fire suppression, meaning that more or fewer sprinkler nozzles can be activated for extinguishing.

[0011] Surprisingly, practical experience has shown that even ion fires can be extinguished quickly and efficiently by implementing these measures. Advantageously, the amount of water required for extinguishing the fire is significantly reduced compared to a conventional sprinkler system.

[0012] Advantageously, the use of open sprinkler nozzles results in a faster response time compared to conventional sprinklers with retaining elements and glass bulbs, so that fire fighting can be carried out more quickly and thus rapid and efficient fire suppression is achieved.

[0013] Preferably, different types of sprinkler nozzles can be used to adjust the spray pattern. This allows for the use of nozzles with a shallower radius and a larger area over a short distance, depending on local conditions, or nozzles with a steeper spray angle and thus a larger area over a greater distance. Suitable sprinkler nozzles are available on the market, for example, from Tyco under the name Type D3 Protectospray.

[0014] Preferably, a control unit is understood to be a fire alarm control panel or fault alarm control panel. In particular, the control unit can control multiple extinguishing zones. Each extinguishing zone preferably comprises a solenoid valve, one or more sprinkler nozzles, and one or more fire sensors assigned to the extinguishing zone. The control unit can, in particular, have a fire incident matrix that determines which extinguishing zones are activated based on the location of the fire. The solenoid valves and sprinkler nozzles are assigned to the corresponding extinguishing circuit, and in the event of a fire, the control unit opens the corresponding solenoid valves, enabling the targeted release of extinguishing agent into the area affected by the fire. Such control units are available on the market, for example, from Zettler under the names PROFILE Flexible or Pro16xD.

[0015] In particular, the control unit can also initiate further safety measures to further protect against fires. These include, for example, shutting down ventilation systems to prevent the spread of smoke and / or alerting staff and / or the fire department, as well as other automatic or manually initiated measures for firefighting and rescue operations.

[0016] Different types of sensors can be used as fire sensors. For example, commercially available smoke detectors and / or heat detectors and / or flame detectors, or combinations thereof, can be used as fire sensors.

[0017] Preferably, the term "extinguishing medium" refers to the ready-mixed medium consisting of water and extinguishing agent. The extinguishing medium can be provided pre-mixed or mixed as needed in the event of a fire using a suitable mixing valve or tap.

[0018] In particular, the extinguishing agent may contain surfactants to reduce the surface tension of water. Reducing the surface tension allows for better wetting of the burning material and improved emulsification or micelle formation of the combustible substances.

[0019] Preferably, the extinguishing agent F500 can be used. F500 is readily available on the market and can be supplied in suitable containers.

[0020] For example, it may be provided that the extinguishing medium is premixed and / or supplied as a premix in a mixing ratio of 97% water and 3% extinguishing agent.

[0021] It may be provided that the extinguishing medium and / or the premix is ​​supplied via a mixing valve which has two inlets and one outlet, wherein one of the inlets is supplied with water and the second inlet with extinguishing agent, and wherein the outlet is connected to the extinguishing agent line in order to feed the extinguishing medium and / or the premix into the extinguishing agent line.

[0022] Advantageously, at least one sprinkler nozzle can be provided with an extinguishing medium outlet and a deflector plate, the deflector plate being arranged opposite the extinguishing medium outlet to achieve a spatial distribution of the extinguishing medium. The spray pattern of the sprinkler nozzle can be varied or adjusted by the design or adjustment of the deflector plate.

[0023] Preferably, the control device can be designed to control several extinguishing circuits, wherein each extinguishing circuit comprises a solenoid valve and at least one fire sensor, and wherein the solenoid valve supplies at least one sprinkler nozzle or several sprinkler nozzles.

[0024] The extinguishing system according to the invention can be used, for example, in buildings or corresponding vehicles, such as rail vehicles or ships.

[0025] In particular, the extinguishing system is well suited for fighting vehicle fires in combustion engines and / or electric vehicles.

[0026] The inventive concept also includes a fire extinguishing device for fighting fires in vehicles, for example electric vehicles, comprising a parking garage with one or more parking spaces and / or a carport with one or more parking spaces. The essential feature is that a fire extinguishing system according to one of the embodiments described herein is connected to the parking garage and / or the carport in such a way that each parking space has at least one sprinkler nozzle.

[0027] Furthermore, the inventive concept also includes a fire extinguishing device for fighting shelf fires, in particular battery fires, comprising a shelf with several separate shelf compartments, preferably for storing batteries. It is essential that a fire extinguishing system according to one of the embodiments described herein is connected to the shelf, and that each shelf compartment has at least one sprinkler nozzle.

[0028] Advantageously, a metal sheet can be provided between two adjacent shelf compartments for compartmentalization in order to prevent fires from spreading.

[0029] The figures show further embodiments of the invention, which are described below. These include: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a fire extinguishing system according to the invention; Fig. 2 an example of an extinguishing device with an extinguishing system according to the invention for carports; Fig. 3 an example of an extinguishing device with extinguishing system according to the invention for a rack storage facility; Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b is an example of a sprinkler nozzle.

[0030] The embodiments shown in the figures are advantageous configurations and are not to be understood as exhaustive or limiting. It is clear to the person skilled in the art that, within the scope of protection defined by the claims, they can modify or combine the embodiments shown in the figures using their technical expertise without abandoning the inventive concept.

[0031] In the figures, functions with the same effect are each marked with the same reference symbol.

[0032] Fig. Figure 1 describes a schematic representation of a fire suppression system 1 according to the invention. The fire suppression system 1 comprises a control unit 2, which has two fire suppression circuits 21 and 22. In modification of the example in Fig. The control unit 2 can also have more or fewer extinguishing circuits. Each of the extinguishing circuits 21 or 22 is assigned a fire sensor 3, a solenoid valve 7, and sprinkler nozzles 6. The number of sprinkler nozzles 6 can, of course, vary.

[0033] The sprinkler nozzles 6 are connected to the solenoid valves 7 and to each other via an extinguishing agent line 42. In the event of a fire, it is detected by the fire alarm sensor 3, which then forwards a fire alarm signal to the control unit 2. Upon receiving the fire alarm signal, the control unit 2 decides, according to a stored fire matrix, which of the extinguishing circuits or which solenoid valve 7 is opened to combat the fire. After the corresponding solenoid valve opens, the extinguishing agent flows through the extinguishing agent line 42 to the corresponding sprinkler nozzles 6, exits there, and extinguishes the fire.

[0034] The extinguishing agent for extinguishing the fire is supplied by mixing the extinguishing agent, in the form of storage containers 41, with water via a mixing valve 4. The mixing valve 4 has two inlets for this purpose. The first inlet is supplied with water via a water connection 5, and the second inlet with extinguishing agent 41. The mixing ratio between extinguishing agent 41 and water can be precisely adjusted at the mixing valve 4. In practice, a mixing ratio of 97% water to 3% extinguishing agent has proven ideal for fire suppression. Naturally, this mixing ratio can be varied within certain limits.

[0035] After the extinguishing medium has been produced in the mixing tap 4 or the mixing valve 4, the extinguishing medium is conveyed to the extinguishing circuits 21 or 22 via the extinguishing medium line 42.

[0036] The water pressure required for the operation of the fire extinguishing system is supplied by water connection 5. In practice, it has been shown that efficient operation of the fire extinguishing system 1 is possible even with a water pressure of 2 bar or higher.

[0037] In the Fig. Figure 2 shows a fire extinguishing device 9 with a carport 8. The fire extinguishing device 9 comprises the fire extinguishing system 1 according to the invention shown in Figure 2. Fig. The embodiment described in 1. In modification of the one described in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the carport can have more or fewer parking spaces. Instead of a carport 8, a suitable garage and / or hall in which vehicles are parked can also be protected against fires by the extinguishing system 1 according to the invention.

[0038] In the Fig. Figure 3 shows an example of a fire extinguishing device 9 for shelves 91. Two shelf compartments 92 are shown schematically. The fire extinguishing device 9 according to Fig. 3 again comprises the extinguishing system 1 according to the invention, as exemplified in the Fig. Figure 1 is shown. An advantage is that the extinguishing system 1 according to the invention can also be used to protect high-bay warehouses and / or deep-level racks against fires.

[0039] In the Fig. Figure 4a shows a side view of a sprinkler nozzle 6. The sprinkler nozzle 6 has a thread on its underside, by means of which it can be connected to the extinguishing agent line 42. The sprinkler nozzle 6 has an extinguishing agent outlet 61 and, at a slight distance opposite this, a deflector plate 62. The extinguishing agent exiting the extinguishing agent outlet 61 under pressure strikes the deflector plate 62 and is spatially dispersed by it, so that the extinguishing agent can wet a correspondingly large area. In the Fig.4b shows the sprinkler nozzle 6 in a cross-section, where the extinguishing medium outlet 61 and the deflector plate 62 are clearly visible in the cross-section. Reference sign 1 fire extinguishing system 2 Control unit 3 fire alarms 4 Mixing valve 41 extinguishing agents 42 Fire extinguishing agent line 5 Water connection 6 sprinkler nozzles 61 Extinguishing medium discharge 62 impact plates 7 Solenoid valve 8 Carport 9 Extinguishing device 91 shelf 92 shelf compartments

Claims

Fire extinguishing system (1) for combating ion fires, comprising a control device (2) and at least one fire sensor (3) connected to the control device (2) for generating a fire alarm signal, at least one solenoid valve (7) which is controlled by the control device (2), and at least one sprinkler nozzle (6) connected to the solenoid valve (7) via an extinguishing agent line (42), wherein the control device (2) is configured to open the at least one solenoid valve (7) in the event of a fire alarm signal, so that an extinguishing agent is supplied to the sprinkler nozzle (6) for fire suppression, characterized in that the at least one sprinkler nozzle (6) is designed as an open sprinkler nozzle (6), and that a mixture of water and an emulsion-forming or micelle-forming extinguishing agent is used as the extinguishing agent, which enables the evaporation of water below its usual boiling point.the mixture has a precisely controlled mixing ratio in the range between 98% water and 2% extinguishing agent and 96% water and 4% extinguishing agent. Fire extinguishing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the extinguishing agent comprises surfactants to reduce the surface tension of water. Fire extinguishing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extinguishing agent F500 is used. Fire extinguishing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extinguishing medium is premixed and / or provided as a premix in a mixing ratio of 97% water and 3% extinguishing agent. Fire extinguishing system according to claim 4, characterized in that the extinguishing medium and / or the premix is ​​provided via a mixing valve (4) which has two inlets and one outlet, wherein one of the inlets is supplied with water and the second inlet with extinguishing agent, and wherein the outlet is connected to the extinguishing agent line (42) in order to feed the extinguishing medium and / or the premix into the extinguishing agent line (42). Fire extinguishing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sprinkler nozzle (6) has an extinguishing medium outlet (51) and a deflector plate (62), wherein the deflector plate (62) is arranged opposite the extinguishing medium outlet (61) in order to achieve a spatial distribution of the extinguishing medium. Fire extinguishing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (2) is designed to control several extinguishing circuits (21, 22), wherein each extinguishing circuit (21, 22) comprises a solenoid valve (7) and at least one fire sensor (3), and wherein the solenoid valve (7) supplies at least one sprinkler nozzle (6) or several sprinkler nozzles (6). Extinguishing device (9) for fighting fires in vehicles, in particular electric vehicles, comprising a parking garage with one or more parking spaces and / or a carport (8) with one or more parking spaces, characterized in that an extinguishing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims is connected to the parking garage and / or the carport (8) such that each parking space has at least one of the sprinkler nozzles (6). Extinguishing device (9) for fighting fires in storage racks, in particular battery fires, comprising a rack (91) with several separate storage compartments (92), preferably for storing batteries, characterized in that an extinguishing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims is connected to the rack (91), and that each storage compartment (92) has at least one of the sprinkler nozzles (6). Fire extinguishing device according to claim 9, characterized in that a metal sheet is arranged between two adjacent shelf compartments (92) for compartmentation in order to prevent fires from spreading.

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