Machine for the storage of fire and explosion-prone materials under hazard detector control above a "GTB" immersion extinguishing basin - hazardous materials immersion basin

Abstract

Fire protection system “Hazardous materials immersion tank” – Main requirement: The GTB is characterized by its reproducible, non-combustible, and portable overall construction as a fire protection system. It combines four assemblies / components into a machine which only fulfills its development and operational purpose as a whole: 1. K1: Stainless steel immersion tank with inlet and outlet valves, hose and cable channels 2. K2: Stainless steel material storage basket with shelf 3. K3: Hydraulic component with control for lowering and lifting technology 4. K4: Electrical component with detector, control and lighting unit as well as 24V / 230V DC power supply • The GTB is designed with electrical redundancy. • Two detector parameters are used for fire detection. • The immersion process is carried out by the weight of the material storage basket and / or electro-hydraulically. The entire design of the machine as a novel product, as well as the four aforementioned assemblies / components, are subject to protection. This also includes modifications or technical alterations, as well as combinations of other existing technical products by third parties to achieve application parity with the GTB.

Description

1. State of the art

[0001] Known transport and storage containers for lithium batteries and other flammable materials and products are designed to spatially isolate the stored goods from their surroundings, thus limiting any fire to the container itself. Fire-extinguishing containers of various sizes are also known for this purpose.

[0002] All previous systems have in common that only a containment (partly including an attempt to extinguish the fire) takes place.

[0003] However, lithium batteries continue to burn even in the absence of oxygen and under the influence of various extinguishing agents.

[0004] In the event of a fire, the GTB automatically immerses the stored goods until they cool down, the only chemically effective form of fire control and containment. 2. Invention

[0005] The hazardous materials immersion pool -GTB- ( Fig. ) serves for the monitored, mobile storage, processing and securing of, in particular, lithium batteries of different sizes. The stored goods are kept within a stainless steel basket (1) and are continuously and redundantly monitored by means of smoke temperature sensors (2).

[0006] The storage basket is mounted on hydraulic cylinders (3) and guided above a water-filled immersion basin (4). In the event of a fire and subsequent detection, the storage basket is completely submerged in the immersion basin within 6-8 seconds by electronic-hydraulic control (6) via control electronics (5). Fig. ).

[0007] Since lithium also burns underwater, the reaction temperature is lowered by using water as a coolant. The extinguishing water can be changed via inlet and outlet valves (13) during lengthy cooling processes. Thus, the GTB is the only extinguishing option that provides continuous cooling until the end of the combustion process. Fire spread is prevented.

[0008] For operation as a charging and / or testing station, the GTB is equipped with several 230V sockets on a shelf (10) on the top of the storage basket.

[0009] The advantage of the GTB (Ground Tank) is the very rapid immersion of the burning and stored goods. Therefore, provided the material is sufficiently water-resistant, it can be expected that the fire will only affect the affected item and its immediate surroundings. Meanwhile, unaffected material can be secured and protected from loss. 3. Technology

[0010] The machine consists of four components: 1. Stainless steel immersion tank with inlet and outlet valves, hose and cable channels (K1) 2. Stainless steel material storage basket with shelf (K2) 3. Hydraulic component with control for lowering and lifting technology (K3) 4. Electrical component with detector, control and lighting unit as well as the 24V / 230V DC power supply (K4) 3.2 Steel construction

[0011] All steel components are made of 1.4301VA stainless steel and are welded. The non-combustible, robust construction is deliberately designed for durability and sustainability. Compared to other products, the GTB can withstand a fire involving the material stored within it. 3.2 Electrical / Electronic Systems

[0012] Electrical operation is provided by two maintenance-free 24V lead-acid batteries (7) (industry standard). During normal operation, the batteries are maintained via trickle charging using 230V mains power. This ensures a redundant power supply for the system.

[0013] The electronics and electrical components are mounted in a control box on the right side of the GTB (5). All cable harnesses are mechanically and partially thermally protected.

[0014] Hydraulic lines and main cable harnesses are partly laid in non-combustible stainless steel cable ducts.

[0015] 230V CEE couplings and plugs are available to operate multiple GTBs in series.

[0016] The electrical system is technically protected by multiple safeguards and is designed to be water-resistant (IP54+). Standard Schuko sockets are available for measuring and charging processes.

[0017] For personal safety, a safety light curtain (11) with a hydraulic stop function is installed. Structural barriers are also in place. The work area is to be illuminated by means of LED lights.

[0018] Stop and emergency stop functions (12) are available. 3.3 Hydraulics

[0019] The 170 bar hydraulic component (6) consists of two cylinders (3), a control block with electric pump including tank, safety valve, emergency drain (6) and the pressure lines on the right side of the GTB.

[0020] The bearing cage is moved passively-hydraulically into the immersion tank by electrical control of the pump. The process is redundantly monitored against entrapment by an emergency stop function (12).

[0021] A manual basket control via safety switch is available. 3.4 Control technology

[0022] On the underside of the material storage basket, next to the work area lighting, there are at least two smoke and temperature detectors (smoke switches, 2) with visual operating indicators. Contamination of the optical measuring unit is reported via the "Service" message of the control unit.

[0023] The smoke detectors are redundantly equipped with a thermocouple: activation occurs at 70°C.

[0024] The system's operational readiness (switched on via main switch) is indicated by a green light (8).

[0025] The initiation of the dive and the lowered storage basket are indicated by a red flashing light (9). 4. Sustainability / Reuse

[0026] The GTB is reusable as long as there is no total technical and material loss due to total fire and / or explosion of the stored goods (or due to other external, damaging influences).

[0027] In the event of an accident and subsequent activation of the system, the fire-damaged stored goods remain in the extinguishing basin until the necessary cooling has occurred.

[0028] The extinguishing water can be exchanged here (so)

[0029] After the stored goods have been removed and the system has been cleaned, it is tested for its operational reliability, the fire extinguishing basin is filled, thus ensuring timely operational readiness.

[0030] Due to the short reaction time in the event of activation, it is possible to preserve large portions of the stored goods, as the immersion process significantly reduces or prevents fire spread within the storage basket. Depending on the water resistance of the material not affected by the fire, the value of the goods is thus preserved.

[0031] The risk of fire or explosion in the vicinity of the GTB is significantly reduced. This will lead to a considerable increase in preventative fire protection, particularly in laboratories and highly technical industrial areas, but also in waste disposal and logistics companies. Reference symbol list 1 material storage basket with shelf and alarm unit 2 smoke and heat detectors 3 hydraulic cylinders 4 diving pools with extensions and safety plates 5 Electrical system, switch box, control electronics, 230V power supply 6 Hydraulic control, tank, pump, safety devices 7 12V batteries 8 flashing green light 9 red flashing lights 10 mounting brackets for 230V sockets 11 Safety light curtain 12 emergency stop switches 13 shut-off valves, inlet and outlet

Claims

[1] Fire protection system “Hazardous materials immersion tank” - Main requirement The GTB is characterized by its reproducible, non-combustible and portable overall construction as a fire protection system. It combines four assemblies / components into a machine which only as a whole fulfills its development and operational purpose:

1. K1: Stainless steel immersion tank with inlet and outlet valves, hose and cable channels 2. K2: Stainless steel material storage basket with shelf 3. K3: Hydraulic component with control for lowering and lifting technology 4. K4: Electrical component with detector, control and lighting unit as well as 24V / 230V DC power supply • The GTB is designed with electrical redundancy. • Two detector parameters are used for fire detection. • The immersion process is carried out by the weight of the material storage basket and / or electro-hydraulically. The entire design of the machine as a novel product, as well as the four aforementioned assemblies / components, are subject to protection. This also includes modifications or technical alterations, as well as combinations of other existing technical products by third parties to achieve application parity with the GTB. [2] Diving pool K1 • The immersion tank (4) is permanently filled with water and is characterized by its non-combustible stainless steel construction in conjunction with the integrated monitoring technology and its hydraulic component. • The GTB system is mounted on wheels and is therefore movable. [3] Anti-pinch protection • The immersion tank has a safety light curtain / ESPE (11) as an electronic anti-pinch device. This prevents the basket from moving during operation / loading. • Constructive measures to prevent entrapment include deflector plates and grilles. • An emergency stop switch is provided. [4] Inlet and outlet valves for fire extinguishing water • The component is characterized by the manually valve-controlled drainage of contaminated extinguishing water with simultaneous inflow of fresh water. • Two stainless steel ball valves DN50 / Storz-C (13) are provided for this purpose at the left upper and lower edges of the basin. [5] Material storage basket K2 • The material storage basket (1) as the second main component is characterized by its non-combustible stainless steel construction, grid structure and system relevance within the GTB fire protection system. • It is equipped with a double-walled shelf (10) for holding the detectors and work area lighting as well as 230V sockets. • Its cage-like design prevents the stored goods from rising to the surface / escapering when lowered into the immersion tank. This also minimizes displacement by the basket itself. • Works exclusively in combination with the system (hydraulics). [6] K3 Hydraulics • The hydraulic component (3, 6) as a central, non-combustible assembly of the drive is characterized by system integration and hazard detector-controlled reaction. • It consists of a control block with pressure-protecting hydraulic valves, an electric pump including emergency drain valve, a tank, the pressure lines and the two double-acting hydraulic cylinders. • It connects the immersion tank and material storage basket by means of vertical cylinders (3) and is essential for fulfilling its intended purpose. • Pressure control is achieved by means of an electric pump, whose controlling hydraulic valve receives its electrical signal via a control unit from the hazard detector or the manual switch. • In the event of detection, it ensures a passive, vertical, immediate, uninterrupted, and twist-free lowering of the material storage basket using its own weight. Due to the lowering speed, a sudden surge of immersion water is prevented by displacement. Active hydraulic lowering is possible manually at any time. • The hydraulics can also be controlled manually and have electrical emergency shutdown functions (12) as well as a manual emergency lowering function. [7] Surveillance technology and electronics K4 • The monitoring technology of the fire protection system “hazardous material immersion basin” is characterized by the combination of redundant hazard detection by at least two detectors (2) with integrated relay function in conjunction with immediate electronic control of the hydraulic system (6). • The detectors detect smoke and temperature (< 70°C). They feature a contamination and expiration indicator. • All electronics are redundantly designed. A mains-independent power supply using its own 12V batteries ensures fire monitoring and protection functions during a power outage and for a limited time. Normal operation is powered by 230V mains electricity.

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