Fire extinguishing agent

Abstract

To provide a liquid fire extinguishing agent having superior dispersibility.SOLUTION: A fire extinguishing agent of the present invention is a fire extinguishing agent containing a hydrocarbon-based nonionic surfactant and a hydrocarbon-based amphoteric surfactant as active ingredients. The fire extinguishing agent can further contain a water-soluble organic solvent, such as an alcohol.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing agent.

Background Art

[0002] For extinguishing fires such as house fires, forest fires, factory fires, and building fires, it is common to use water extinguishing using water. However, in the case of oil fires or metal fires, water extinguishing may instead expand the fire. Also, since water extinguishing requires a large amount of water, securing a water source becomes an important issue. In order to reduce the amount of water required for extinguishing, for example, the fire extinguishing efficiency can be increased by adding a small amount of a synthetic surfactant foam fire extinguishing agent mainly composed of a synthetic surfactant to water (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Among the fire extinguishing agents used in fire extinguishers, sprinklers, package-type fire extinguishing equipment, etc., there are also enhanced liquid fire extinguishing agents mainly composed of potassium carbonate and wetting agents mainly composed of ammonium phosphate (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3), but there are concerns about adhesion to objects other than the fire target. Also, when using a powder fire extinguishing agent, there are concerns about the scattering of the powder fire extinguishing agent and its adhesion to objects other than the fire target.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, although these liquid fire extinguishing agents are excellent in fire resistance and fire extinguishing properties, they tend to have weak dispersibility and penetration ability into wood and paper, and also have the problem of a long fire extinguishing time. In addition, such liquid fire extinguishing agents may scatter the components of the fire extinguishing agent during or after fire extinguishing, and adhere to wood, paper, tiles, etc. that make up columns, walls, roofs, etc. in buildings other than the fire target. Once this component adheres, it may involve a great deal of work to remove it, and in some cases, the building may have to be abandoned. It is considered that these problems can be reduced by improving the wettability of the fire extinguishing agent. By improving the wettability, the penetrability into plates and paper is improved, and on iron plates and plastics with poor penetrability, it can be widely spread on the surface and the evaporation efficiency can be improved. Here, wettability is a property that by lowering the surface tension of water, the liquid can be widely spread on a plate, paper, etc. without becoming spherical.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made for the purpose of providing a fire extinguishing agent with excellent wettability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] That is, the fire extinguishing agent of the present invention is a fire extinguishing agent characterized by containing a hydrocarbon-based nonionic surfactant and a hydrocarbon-based amphoteric surfactant as active ingredients. In addition, a water-soluble organic solvent, for example, alcohols, can be further blended into this fire extinguishing agent.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] The fire extinguishing agent of the present invention can improve the fire extinguishing effect by having excellent wettability. In addition, in the fire extinguishing agent of the present invention, the evaporation efficiency is improved by the improvement of wettability. Furthermore, since this fire extinguishing agent uses a hydrocarbon-based nonionic surfactant and a hydrocarbon-based amphoteric surfactant as active ingredients, a fluorine-based surfactant is not required, so it can contribute to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) as a fire extinguishing agent with less environmental load.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] As the hydrocarbon nonionic surfactant, it is necessary to use one that does not inhibit the wettability of the fire extinguishing agent of the present invention. Examples include polyoxyethylene alkyl ether type, polyoxyethylene alkylphenol type, polyoxyethylene alkylamine type, polyoxyethylene alkylamide type, polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester type, propylene glycol fatty acid ester type, propylene glycol fatty acid dipolyoxyethylene lanolin ether type, aliphatic alkanol amide type, polyoxyethylene castor oil type, polyoxyethylene polyhydric alcohol type, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester type, polyoxyethylene polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester type, etc. One kind or a mixture of two or more kinds of these can be used.

[0009] As the hydrocarbon amphoteric surfactant, it is necessary to use one that does not inhibit the wettability of the fire extinguishing agent of the present invention. Examples include alanine type, imidazolinium betaine type, aminopropyl betaine type, aminodipropion type, etc. Preferably, imidazolinium betaine type, etc. can be mentioned.

[0010] As the water-soluble organic solvent, it is necessary to use one that does not inhibit the wettability of the fire extinguishing agent of the present invention. Examples include acetone, phosphate ester salts, triethyl orthoformate, N,N-dimethylformamide, methyl ethyl ketone, n-propylamine, pyridine, triethylamine, n-butylamine, morpholine, monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethyl cellosolve, ethyl glycol, ethyl diglycol, butyl glycol, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, 1,3-butylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, hexylene glycol, butyl diglycol, butoxyethanol, ethyl ether, dimethyl ether, t-butanol, butanediol, n-octanol, glycerin, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, etc. Preferably, those that do not conflict with the Labor Safety and Health Law and have a high freezing point depression, such as polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, glycerin, etc. are preferred. In the present specification, alcohols are a general term for alcohols classified into lower alcohols and higher alcohols, primary alcohols, secondary alcohols, and tertiary alcohols, monohydric alcohols, dihydric alcohols, and trihydric alcohols.

[0011] If necessary, hydrocarbon-based cationic surfactants, hydrocarbon-based anionic surfactants, fatty acids, metal soaps, water-soluble inorganic metal salts, water-soluble polymers, thickeners, polysaccharides, dispersants, flame retardants, flame inhibitors, etc. may be used in combination with the fire extinguishing agent of the present invention. In particular, hydrocarbon-based anionic surfactants, etc. have the effect of improving the wettability of the liquid fire extinguishing agent.

[0012] Examples of hydrocarbon-based cationic surfactants include monoalkylammonium chloride, dialkylammonium chloride, EO-added ammonium chloride, tetramethylammonium chloride, benzyltrimethylammonium chloride, and the like.

[0013] Examples of hydrocarbon-based anionic surfactants include alkyl ether sulfate salts, alpha olefin sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonic acids and their salts, alkyl sulfate salts, ether sulfonates, ether carboxylates, sulfosuccinates, methyl taurates, alaninates and their salts, and the like.

[0014] The fatty acids may be linear or branched, natural or synthetic, saturated or unsaturated, and examples include caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, tallow fatty acid, oleic acid, hydrogenated castor oil fatty acid, linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid, linolenic acid, and the like. Examples of metal soaps include potassium soap, sodium soap, calcium soap, iron soap, aluminum soap, and the like.

[0015] Examples of water-soluble inorganic metal salts include sodium salts (such as sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, etc.), potassium salts (such as potassium acetate, potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, etc.), magnesium salts (such as magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, etc.), calcium salts (such as calcium sulfate, calcium chloride, etc.), and the like. In particular, potassium salts have a strong effect of saponifying oil in deep-fried food oil fires and can improve the fire extinguishing effect by generating a saponification film during fire extinguishing.

[0016] Examples of water-soluble polymers include cellulose derivatives (such as methyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose), polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl ether, polyethylene glycol, and the like. Examples of thickeners include sodium alginate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and the like. Examples of polysaccharides include xanthan gum, gellan gum, and the like.

[0017] Examples of dispersants include naphthalene sulfonic acid-based, alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acid-based, polycarboxylic acid-based, polystyrene sulfonic acid-based, alkylamine type, alkylphenol type, and the like.

[0018] Examples of flame retardants include halogen-based flame retardants (such as tetrabromobisphenol A and halogen-containing polyphosphate), phosphorus-based flame retardants (such as phosphate esters, ammonium phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, and diethyl phosphite), and inorganic flame retardants (such as red phosphorus, tin oxide, and antimony trioxide). Examples of flame suppressants include guanidine (such as guanidine sulfamate and guanidine phosphate), urea, ammonia, and the like.

[0019] When preparing the fire extinguishing agent of the present invention, it is carried out using media such as tap water, seawater, groundwater, and ion-exchanged water. Preferably, ion-exchanged water or soft groundwater is used as the medium.

[0020] When using the fire extinguishing agent of the present invention, it is filled and used in fire extinguishers, tanks for fire extinguishing equipment in small package-type fire extinguishing equipment (hereinafter referred to as "small packages"), and tanks for large-scale fire extinguishing equipment. For fire extinguishers and tanks for fire extinguishing equipment in small packages, either a pressure storage type or a pressurized type may be used. For tanks for large-scale fire extinguishing equipment, there is a method of using the fire extinguishing agent by pumping it with a pump.

[0021] In addition, the fire extinguishing agent of the present invention can be used as a stock solution as it is, or it can be diluted at an arbitrary ratio using media such as tap water, seawater, groundwater, and ion-exchanged water and then used.

Example

[0022] The effects of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0023] <Examples 1 to 7> <Comparative Examples 1 to 2> As the hydrocarbon nonionic surfactant, "Braulon S-240T" and "Braulon S-205T" (trade names) manufactured by Aoki Yushi Kogyo Co., Ltd., as the hydrocarbon amphoteric surfactant, "Anhitol 20BS" (trade name) manufactured by Kao Corporation, "Obazoline LB-SF" manufactured by Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., as the alcohols, "Hymol TM" (trade name), "Food Additive Glycerin" (trade name) manufactured by Miyoshi Oil & Fat Co., Ltd. were used. Further, using "Potassium Acetate Anhydrous" (trade name) manufactured by Air Water Performance Chemical Co., Ltd. and ion-exchanged water, a test solution (i.e., a fire extinguishing agent) was obtained according to the formulation in "Table 1". In Comparative Example 1, ion-exchanged water was used. In Comparative Example 2, only ion-exchanged water and a hydrocarbon nonionic surfactant were used.

[0024] Regarding the test solution, the state of the solution was observed, and the freezing point and wettability were measured. <Observation of the state of the solution> The state of the solution was visually observed. <Measurement of the freezing point> For the measurement of the freezing point, 10 mL of the sample was collected in a test tube with an inner diameter of 18 mm, a thermometer was inserted into the test tube, cooled with a cold bath agent, stirred with the thermometer, taken out from the cold bath agent when crystal flakes began to appear, and the temperature was read when the crystal flakes disappeared after continuous stirring (Verification Rules for Fire Extinguishing Agents for Fire Extinguishers: Type 3 Enhanced Liquid Fire Extinguishing Agent: (1) Performed according to the freezing point). The test was conducted 3 times, and the average value was shown as the result. <Measurement of wettability> 200 μL of the test solution was dropped onto a commercially available cedar board, and the dispersion area of the aqueous solution was measured 20 seconds later. The temperature of the aqueous solution was 20 ± 2°C. The test was conducted 3 times, and the average value was shown as the result. Also, the dispersion area was calculated according to the formula for an ellipse. The cedar boards used were commercially available cedar boards (size: 18×36 cm) with the moisture content adjusted to 10 - 15%. The test results are shown in "Table 1".

[0025] (Test results)

Table 1

[0026] <Examples 8 - 9> <Comparative Example 3> Using the above-mentioned "Brownon S-205T" manufactured by Aoki Oil & Fat Co., Ltd., "Anthitol 20BS" manufactured by Kao Corporation, "Hymol TM" manufactured by Toho Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., and ion-exchanged water, a test solution was obtained with the formulation shown in "Table 2". For the test solution, the state of the solution was observed, the freezing point was measured, the state of a 1 volume% (1v%) aqueous solution was observed, and the wettability was measured. The results are shown in "Table 2".

[0027]

Table 2

[0028] Comparative Example 3 used only a hydrocarbon-based nonionic surfactant. From the comparison between Comparative Example 3 and Examples 8 to 9, it can be seen that by using a hydrocarbon-based nonionic surfactant and a hydrocarbon-based amphoteric surfactant, not only is the state of the solution good, but also the state of the solution is good in a 1% by volume dilution, and the dispersibility is also good. In addition, it can be seen that by using a water-soluble organic solvent in combination, there is a freezing point depression effect.

[0029] <Example 7> 0.9 L of the agent of Example 7 shown in Table 1 was filled into a fire extinguisher and pressurized, and then a fire extinguishing test on a wood model and a tempura oil fire extinguishing experiment described in the following test method were carried out.

[0030] Test method: (Ordinary fire) Using the wood model in "Fire Extinguisher Inspection Regulations 8: Japan Fire Inspection Association: March 2019", "Ordinance Establishing Technical Standards for Fire Extinguishers: Chapter 3 Residential Fire Extinguishers", "(Fire Extinguishing Performance) 1 Ordinary Fire" (a model composed of 72 pieces of cedar wood with a size of 35×30×450 mm adjusted to a moisture content of 10 to 15% alternately on a combustion table), 0.6 L of heptane was put into the combustion pan attached to the combustion table and ignited, and after 3 minutes, the fire was extinguished with a fire extinguisher.

[0031] (Tempura oil fire) According to "Fire Extinguisher Inspection Regulations: Japan Fire Inspection Association: March 2019", "Ordinance Establishing Technical Standards for Fire Extinguishers: Chapter 3 Residential Fire Extinguishers", "(Fire Extinguishing Performance) 2 Tempura Oil Fire", 1 L of soybean oil was put into a tempura pan with a depth of 75 mm and a diameter of 300 mm, heated with a gas stove and ignited, and when the oil temperature reached 400°C, the fire was extinguished. <Test results> From the above results of TIFF2025087193000003.tif20170, it can be seen that it is effective for ordinary fires and tempura oil fires.

Claims

1. A fire extinguishing agent characterized by containing a hydrocarbon-based nonionic surfactant and a hydrocarbon-based amphoteric surfactant as active ingredients.

2. The fire extinguishing agent according to claim 1, further containing a water-soluble organic solvent.

3. The fire extinguishing agent according to claim 2, wherein the water-soluble organic solvent is alcohols.

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