Fire protection system

Abstract

To provide a fire protection system that can detect a sign of fire at an even earlier stage and take a fire prevention measure before the fire occurs.SOLUTION: A fire protection system comprises: a first acquisition unit that acquires concentration of gas generated from a monitoring target; a detection unit that identifies the location of a fire candidate in the monitoring target by comparing the concentration with a predetermined threshold value; and a fire prevention device that performs a fire prevention measure on the fire candidate. As a consequence, the fire candidate can be identified based on the concentration of the gas generated from the monitoring target, rather than the surface temperature of the monitoring target.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fire protection system.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in facilities that handle high-temperature combustion products, such as inside an incinerator, various means have been proposed to detect abnormal high temperatures and fires in such combustion products. Patent Document 1 below discloses a monitoring system that transmits image data output from an infrared camera to a receiving terminal connected on a network, where the receiving terminal extracts temperature from the transmitted image data and has a fire detection means for detecting a fire, and a display means for displaying fire information detected by the fire detection means.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above device, the temperature monitoring target is the object surface, and when the ignition source is buried in the garbage, the detection is delayed by the time it takes for the heat to reach the surface. As a result, there is a possibility that the fire protection process may not be in time.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fire protection system capable of detecting signs of a fire even earlier and performing fire protection before the fire occurs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the fire prevention system according to the present disclosure includes a physical quantity sensor that acquires at least one of the concentration and temperature of gas generated from an object to be monitored, and a detection unit that identifies the position of a fire source candidate in the object to be monitored by comparing the concentration with a predetermined threshold value, and a fire prevention device that performs fire prevention treatment on the fire source candidate.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a fire prevention system capable of detecting a sign of a fire even earlier and performing fire prevention treatment before the fire occurs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <First Embodiment of Fire Prevention System> A first embodiment of a fire prevention system 100 according to the present disclosure will be described. The fire prevention system 100 is a system that operates, for example, in a waste treatment plant that treats municipal waste, industrial waste, and the like as objects to be treated. The fire prevention system 100 prevents a fire from occurring in the objects to be treated that are processed in the waste treatment plant. In the description in this specification, the objects to be treated that are processed in the waste treatment plant are referred to as "objects T to be monitored."

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the fire prevention system 100 includes a control device 6, a conveying device 7, a chute portion 8, a transfer device 9, a physical quantity sensor 10, and a fire prevention device 40. First, the configuration of the conveying device 7 will be described.

[0011] (Conveying Device) The conveying device 7 receives the object T to be monitored crushed by the crusher 200 from the crusher 200 and conveys the object T to a target location. In the present embodiment, the conveying device 7 is disposed in a space defined by a plurality of wall surfaces 300, and conveys the object T to be monitored within the space. The wall surface 300 is, for example, a part of the equipment in the waste treatment plant. Hereinafter, the space in which the conveying device 7 is disposed and the object T to be monitored is conveyed by the conveying device 7 is referred to as a "conveying space R2." The conveying device 7 is an example of the moving device 2.

[0012] The conveying device 7 has a plurality of conveyors 70. Each of the plurality of conveyors 70 conveys the object T to be monitored. In FIG. 4, a case where four conveyors 70 are arranged in a line in the direction in which the conveying space R2 extends is shown as an example. That is, the object T to be monitored conveyed to one conveyor 70 drops to the conveyor 70 adjacent to the one conveyor 70 and is conveyed by the adjacent conveyor 70. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, these four conveyors 70 are referred to as the "first conveyor 71," the "second conveyor 72," the "third conveyor 73," and the "fourth conveyor 74" in order from the side closer to the crusher 200. Also, the side closer to the crusher 200 within the conveying space R2 may be referred to as the "upstream side," and the side closer to the target location away from the crusher 200 may be referred to as the "downstream side."

[0013] The first conveyor 71 is disposed on the lower side in the vertical direction Dv than the crusher 200, and receives the object T to be monitored crushed by the crusher 200. The first conveyor 71 conveys the object T to be monitored supplied from the crusher 200 toward the downstream side, and drops the conveyed object T to supply it to the second conveyor 72. The second conveyor 72 is disposed on the downstream side of the first conveyor 71. The second conveyor 72 conveys the object T to be monitored supplied from the first conveyor 71 toward the downstream side, and drops the conveyed object T to supply it to the third conveyor 73. The third conveyor 73 is disposed on the downstream side of the second conveyor 72, and the upstream end thereof overlaps the second conveyor 72 in the vertical direction Dv. The third conveyor 73 conveys the object T to be monitored supplied from the second conveyor 72 toward the downstream side, and drops the conveyed object T to supply it to the fourth conveyor 74. The fourth conveyor 74 is disposed on the downstream side of the third conveyor 73, and the upstream end thereof overlaps the third conveyor 73 in the vertical direction Dv. The fourth conveyor 74 conveys the object T to be monitored supplied from the third conveyor 73 toward the target location on the downstream side.

[0014] The widths (W2 shown in FIG. 5) of the second conveyor 72, the third conveyor 73, and the fourth conveyor 74 are equal to each other. Hereinafter, the second conveyor 72, the third conveyor 73, and the fourth conveyor 74 may be collectively referred to as "other conveyors 70". The "width" as used herein means the dimension in the width direction of the conveyor 70 (a direction intersecting the vertical direction Dv and perpendicular to the direction in which the object T to be monitored is conveyed). On the other hand, the width (W1 shown in FIG. 5) of the first conveyor 71 is larger than the widths of the other conveyors 70. The width of the first conveyor 71 is, for example, twice or more the width of the other conveyors 70. Note that the width of the first conveyor 71 may be larger than one time and less than twice the width of the other conveyors 70.

[0015] The operation of each conveyor 70 (the first conveyor 71 to the fourth conveyor 74) is controlled by a control device 6 described later. Specifically, the control device 6 controls the start (start of operation), maintenance of operation, stop (end of operation), etc. of the conveyor 70. The control device 6 uses two modes: a forward operation in which the conveyor 70 is operated so that the monitoring object T is conveyed toward the downstream side, and a reverse operation in which the conveyor 70 is operated so that the monitoring object T is conveyed toward the upstream side. That is, in FIG. 4, when the conveyor 70 is operated in the forward direction, the monitoring object T on the conveyor 70 moves to the right side (downstream side), and when the conveyor 70 is operated in the reverse direction, the monitoring object T on the conveyor 70 moves to the left side (upstream side). The conveying speeds of the second conveyor 72, the third conveyor 73, and the fourth conveyor 74 are equal to each other. On the other hand, the conveying speed of the first conveyor 71 is smaller than the conveying speeds of the other conveyors 70. The conveying speed of the first conveyor 71 is, for example, 0.5 times or less of the conveying speed of the other conveyors 70. Note that the conveying speed of the first conveyor 71 may be, for example, greater than 0.5 times and less than 1 time the conveying speed of the other conveyors 70. Hereinafter, a state in which each conveyor 70 (the first conveyor 71 to the fourth conveyor 74) is operated in the forward direction may be referred to as "normal operation", and a state in which it is operated in the reverse direction may be referred to as "abnormal operation". The conveying device 7 (the first conveyor 71 to the fourth conveyor 74) is an example of the operating target device S.

[0016] (Shoot section) The shoot section 8 temporarily receives the monitoring object T that has fallen from the first conveyor 71 and supplies the received monitoring object T onto the second conveyor 72 from above in the vertical direction Dv. The shoot section 8 is disposed between the first conveyor 71 and the second conveyor 72.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the chute portion 8 has a predetermined box shape. The chute portion 8 has a supply hole 80h formed in a rectangular shape as viewed in the vertical direction Dv at the central portion. The supply hole 80h has a first opening 80u that opens upward in the vertical direction Dv and a second opening 80d that opens downward in the vertical direction Dv. The second opening 80d opens toward the second conveyor 72. In the present embodiment, the region partitioned on the inner surface of the supply hole 80h is uniformly formed in the vertical direction Dv. Note that the supply hole 80h may be formed so as to shrink from the first opening 80u toward the second opening 80d. Further, the supply hole 80h does not have to be formed in a rectangular shape as viewed in the vertical direction Dv, and may be formed in, for example, a circular shape or a polygon other than a rectangle. The width of the second opening 80d is formed to be equal to, for example, the width W2 of the second conveyor 72. Note that the width of the second opening 80d may be formed to be smaller than the width W2 of the second conveyor 72.

[0018] Further, the chute portion 8 has a guide portion 8g that is connected to the first opening 80u and whose area of a cross section perpendicular to the vertical direction Dv expands as it goes upward in the vertical direction Dv. In the present embodiment, the guide portion 8g is composed of four surfaces 8a. These four surfaces 8a are connected to each other so that an entrance opening 8h is formed at the uppermost side in the chute portion 8. The width of the entrance opening 8h is formed to be equal to, for example, the width W1 of the first conveyor 71. Note that the width of the entrance opening 8h may be formed to be larger than the width W1 of the first conveyor 71.

[0019] Therefore, the object to be monitored T conveyed downstream by the first conveyor 71 falls into the chute portion 8, is guided downward by the guide portion 8g (four surfaces 8a) of the chute portion 8, and then is supplied to the second conveyor 72 from above through the supply hole 80h.

[0020] (Physical quantity sensor) Returning to FIG. 1, the physical quantity sensor 10 is a sensor that detects at least one of the concentration of a gas generated by thermal decomposition before combustion and the temperature of the gas from the monitoring object T conveyed in the conveyance space R2.

[0021] A plurality of physical quantity sensors 10 are provided on the wall surface 300. In FIG. 1, an example is shown where three physical quantity sensors 10 are provided on the wall surface 300 at intervals from the upstream side to the downstream side. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, these three physical quantity sensors 10 are referred to as the "first physical quantity sensor 11", the "second physical quantity sensor 12", and the "third physical quantity sensor 13" in order from the upstream side (the side closer to the crusher 200).

[0022] In the present embodiment, the first physical quantity sensor 11 covers at least the entire surface of the monitoring object T conveyed on the first conveyor 71. The second physical quantity sensor 12 covers at least the entire surface of the monitoring object T conveyed on the second conveyor 72 and the entire surface of the monitoring object T conveyed on a part of the third conveyor 73. The third physical quantity sensor 13 mainly covers at least the entire surface of the monitoring object T conveyed on the remaining part of the third conveyor 73 outside the monitoring range of the second physical quantity sensor 12. Note that the coverage ranges of the first physical quantity sensor 11, the second physical quantity sensor 12, and the third physical quantity sensor 13 may overlap each other. Hereinafter, the setting of the physical quantity sensor 10 (the first physical quantity sensor 11, the second physical quantity sensor 12, the third physical quantity sensor 13) for monitoring the gas concentration in each of the above regions is referred to as the "initial setting".

[0023] The settings of the first physical quantity sensor 11, the second physical quantity sensor 12, and the third physical quantity sensor 13 are each adjusted by the control device 6. The setting of the physical quantity sensor 10 referred to here includes, for example, adjustment of the angle of the monitoring direction of the gas concentration (tilt of the entire physical quantity sensor 10).

[0024] (Fire prevention device) The fire prevention device 40 is arranged in the conveyance space R2 and performs fire prevention treatment on the object to be monitored T. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the fire prevention device 40 has, for example, a predetermined box shape. A plurality of fire prevention devices 40 are arranged so as to be able to receive the object to be monitored T conveyed to each conveyor 70. In other words, the fire prevention device 40 includes a plurality of fire prevention devices 40 with different installation locations. In FIG. 1, a case where three fire prevention devices 40 are arranged at intervals in the conveyance space R2 is shown as an example. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, these three fire prevention devices 40 are referred to as "first fire prevention device 41", "second fire prevention device 42", and "third fire prevention device 43" in order from the upstream side (the side closer to the crusher 200).

[0025] The first fire prevention device 41 is arranged on the upstream side of the first conveyor 71 and on the lower side in the vertical direction Dv than the first conveyor 71. More specifically, the first fire prevention device 41 is located below the upstream end of the first conveyor 71. The second fire prevention device 42 is arranged on the upstream side of the third conveyor 73 and on the lower side in the vertical direction Dv than the third conveyor 73. More specifically, the second fire prevention device 42 is located below the upstream end of the third conveyor 73. At the same time, the second fire prevention device 42 is located below the downstream end of the second conveyor 72. The third fire prevention device 43 is arranged on the upstream side of the fourth conveyor 74 and on the lower side in the vertical direction Dv than the fourth conveyor 74. More specifically, the third fire prevention device 43 is located below the upstream end of the fourth conveyor 74. At the same time, the third fire prevention device 43 is located below the downstream end of the third conveyor 73. That is, the fire prevention device 40 has a plurality of fire prevention devices 40 (the first fire prevention device 41, the second fire prevention device 42, the third fire prevention device 43), and each of the plurality of fire prevention devices 40 is arranged so as to be able to receive the object to be monitored T conveyed by one or more conveyors 70 included in the plurality of conveyors 70.

[0026] That is, when the first conveyor 71 operates in the reverse direction, the object T to be monitored on the first conveyor 71 falls into the first fire prevention device 41. When the second conveyor 72 operates in the forward direction and the third conveyor 73 operates in the reverse direction, the object T to be monitored on the second conveyor 72 and the object T to be monitored on the third conveyor 73 fall into the second fire prevention device 42. When the third conveyor 73 operates in the forward direction and the fourth conveyor 74 operates in the reverse direction, the object T to be monitored on the third conveyor 73 and the object T to be monitored on the fourth conveyor 74 fall into the third fire prevention device 43.

[0027] When the fire prevention device 40 (the first fire prevention device 41 to the third fire prevention device 43) receives the object T to be monitored inside, it is operated by the control device 6 to make the inside of the fire prevention device 40 an airtight closed space (sealed room) separated from the outside. The fire prevention device 40, for example, covers from the upper side to make the inside a closed space, and performs fire prevention treatment on the received object T to be monitored. That is, the fire prevention device 40 performs fire prevention treatment on the object T to be monitored using the suffocation fire extinguishing method. Note that, instead of the configuration in which the fire prevention device 40 performs fire prevention treatment on the received object T to be monitored by making the inside a closed space, for example, an inert gas may be ejected inside to perform fire prevention treatment on the object T to be monitored. That is, the fire prevention device 40 may perform fire prevention treatment on the object T to be monitored using the removal fire extinguishing method.

[0028] In this embodiment, the fire prevention device 40 has a sensor 40a capable of detecting the temperature of the object T to be monitored received inside. The sensor 40a is, for example, a temperature sensor arranged inside the fire prevention device 40. The sensor 40a transmits the detection result to the control device 6. Note that the sensor 40a included in the fire prevention device 40 is not limited to the configuration capable of detecting the temperature of the object T to be monitored, and may be, for example, a smoke sensor or a camera.

[0029] (Transfer device) The transfer device 9 is operated by the control device 6 to transfer the object T to be monitored stored in each fire prevention device 40 to a pit or the like. The transfer device 9 connects each fire prevention device 40 and the pit. The transfer device 9 is an example of the operating target device S.

[0030] (Control device) Based on the gas concentration (or gas temperature) transmitted from the physical quantity sensor 10 and the detection result received from the sensor 40a, the control device 6 remotely controls the device to be actuated S (conveying device 7, fire protection device 40, transfer device 9). As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 6 includes, for example, a first acquisition unit 55, a first detection unit 56 (detection unit), a second detection unit 58, a second acquisition unit 59, an actuating unit 60, a criteria derivation unit 61 (derivation unit), a selection unit 62, a determination unit 63, a fire protection processing unit 64, and a storage unit 65.

[0031] (First acquisition unit) The first acquisition unit 55 acquires information related to the gas concentration or gas temperature transmitted from the physical quantity sensor 10 at a predetermined period, and sends the acquired information to the first detection unit 56, the second detection unit 58, the second acquisition unit 59, and the determination unit 63. The first acquisition unit 55 acquires the detection result transmitted from the sensor 40a of the fire protection device 40, and sends the acquired detection result to the determination unit 63.

[0032] (First detection unit) Based on the information related to the gas concentration received from the first acquisition unit 55, the first detection unit 56 (detection unit) detects a fire source candidate T1 with a sign of fire occurrence in the concentration distribution of the monitoring object T included in the information. Specifically, the first detection unit 56 detects the position of the fire source candidate T1 by determining whether there is a fire source candidate T1 in the monitoring object T based on a graph showing the distribution of the gas concentration or the gas temperature generated from the monitoring object T. When the first detection unit 56 determines that there is a fire source candidate T1 in the monitoring object T, the first detection unit 56 sends the detected position of the fire source candidate T1 to the adjustment unit 57, the actuating unit 60, and the determination unit 63.

[0033] (Second detection unit) When receiving the detection of the fire source candidate T1, the second detection unit 58 determines whether the fire source candidate T1 is a predetermined fire protection target based on the comparison result between the information related to the gas concentration received from the first acquisition unit 55 and a predetermined concentration threshold (or temperature threshold).

[0034] (Second acquisition unit) When the second acquisition unit 59 receives from the second detection unit 58 that the fire source candidate T1 is a fire prevention target, the second acquisition unit 59 acquires information on the fire source candidate T1 based on the information received from the first acquisition unit 55. Specifically, the second acquisition unit 59 acquires the gas concentration of the fire source candidate T1 in the concentration distribution or the temperature distribution. The second acquisition unit 59 sends the gas concentration or the gas temperature around the acquired fire source candidate T1 to the criteria derivation unit 61. The second acquisition unit 59 is an example of the acquisition unit 50.

[0035] (Criteria Derivation Unit) The criterion derivation unit 61 (derivation unit) derives criteria based on at least one of the concentrations and temperatures of a plurality of fire source candidates T1 in time series received from the second acquisition unit 59 and the temperature transition of the object T to be monitored predicted based on the pre-acquired heating profile (actual data) for each type of the object T to be monitored. Specifically, the criterion derivation unit 61 selects one simulation result (temperature prediction curve indicating the temperature transition of the object T to be monitored) that best fits the gas concentration or gas temperature of a plurality of fire source candidates T1 in time series received from the second acquisition unit 59 among a plurality of simulation results (temperature prediction curves indicating the temperature transition of the object T to be monitored) based on the heating profiles for each type of the object T to be monitored pre-acquired through combustion tests or the like. The criterion derivation unit 61 derives criteria from the selected simulation result. For example, the criterion derivation unit 61 derives, as the above criteria, the time (remaining time until the timing of a fire) from the gas concentration or gas temperature of the fire source candidate T1 shown in the selected simulation result until the temperature at which the object T to be monitored shown in the simulation result ignites. Therefore, the criteria indicate the time from the timing when the fire source candidate T1 is detected as a fire prevention target until the timing of a fire. The plurality of simulation results are, for example, pre-stored in the storage unit 65. The criterion derivation unit 61 performs the above derivation operation by referring to the plurality of simulation results from the storage unit 65 in a timely manner. The criterion derivation unit 61 sends the derived criteria to the selection unit 62. Note that the criterion derivation unit 61 may also derive criteria based on the gas concentration or gas temperature of one fire source candidate T1 received from the second acquisition unit 59 and the temperature transition of the object T to be monitored predicted based on the pre-acquired heating profile (actual data) for each type of the object T to be monitored.

[0036] (Selection unit) The selection unit 62 selects a fire protection device 40 that accepts the fire source candidate T1 based on the criteria received from the criteria derivation unit 61. The selection unit 62 acquires from the predetermined correspondence relationship information the time required to finish transporting from the position of the fire source candidate T1 to the fire protection device 40. Hereinafter, the time required to finish transporting from the position of the fire source candidate T1 to the fire protection device 40 is referred to as the "transport time". The correspondence relationship information is, for example, a table in which the position on the conveyor 70 and the time (transport time) required to finish transporting the monitoring target T from the position on the conveyor 70 to the fire protection device 40 capable of transporting the monitoring target T are associated with each other. For example, when the fire source candidate T1 is located on the first conveyor 71, the fire protection device 40 that is the transport destination of the fire source candidate T1 is the first fire protection device 41, the second fire protection device 42, or the third fire protection device 43. Also, when the fire source candidate T1 is located on the second conveyor 72 or the third conveyor 73, the fire protection device 40 that is the transport destination of the fire source candidate T1 is the second fire protection device 42 or the third fire protection device 43. Also, when the fire source candidate T1 is located on the fourth conveyor 74, the fire protection device 40 that is the transport destination of the fire source candidate T1 is the third fire protection device 43. The correspondence relationship information is, for example, stored in advance by the storage unit 65. The selection unit 62 performs the above selection operation by referring to the correspondence relationship information from the storage unit 65 in a timely manner. That is, the selection unit 62 selects which fire protection device 40 among the plurality of fire protection devices 40 is to be used for fire protection processing based on the state of the fire protection target obtained from the detection result of the second detection unit 58.

[0037] Specifically, the selection unit 62 selects a fire protection device 40 whose transport time satisfies a predetermined condition. Here, "satisfying the predetermined condition" means, for example, that the transport time is less than the criteria. For example, when the fire source candidate T1 is located on the third conveyor 73, the selection unit 62 selects, among the second fire protection device 42 and the third fire protection device 43, a fire protection device 40 whose transport time is less than the criteria. An example of the relationship between the position of the fire source candidate T1 on the conveyor 70 and the fire protection device 40 that is the transport destination of the fire source candidate T1 is shown in FIG. 9. The selection unit 62 sends the selected fire protection device 40 to the operation unit 60 and the fire protection processing unit 64.

[0038] (Operation unit) Based on the position of the fire source candidate T1 on the conveyor 70 received from the first detection unit 56 and the fire protection device 40 received from the selection unit 62, the actuating unit 60 operates the conveying device 7 so that the fire source candidate T1 moves toward the fire protection device 40. For example, when the position of the fire source candidate T1 received from the first detection unit 56 indicates that it is on the first conveyor 71 and the fire protection device 40 received from the selection unit 62 indicates the first fire protection device 41, the actuating unit 60 operates the first conveyor 71 in the reverse direction. Also, when the position of the fire source candidate T1 received from the first detection unit 56 indicates that it is on the second conveyor 72 and the fire protection device 40 received from the selection unit 62 indicates the second fire protection device 42, the actuating unit 60 operates the second conveyor 72 in the forward direction. Further, when the position of the fire source candidate T1 received from the first detection unit 56 indicates that it is on the third conveyor 73 and the fire protection device 40 received from the selection unit 62 indicates the second fire protection device 42, the actuating unit 60 operates the third conveyor 73 in the reverse direction. When the position of the fire source candidate T1 indicates that it is on the third conveyor 73 and the received fire protection device 40 indicates the third fire protection device 43, the actuating unit 60 operates the third conveyor 73 in the forward direction and the fourth conveyor 74 in the reverse direction.

[0039] Also, when the result of the determination (first determination) received by the actuating unit 60 from the determination unit 63 described later indicates that the fire source candidate T1 is not in the information related to the gas concentration distribution or the gas temperature distribution, the actuating unit 60 switches each conveyor 70 to the normal operation state. The actuating unit 60 sends a message indicating that it has been switched to the normal operation state to the adjustment unit 57.

[0040] (Determination Unit) Based on the information related to the gas concentration or the gas temperature received from the first acquisition unit 55, the determination unit 63 determines whether the fire source candidate T1 is in the said information. Specifically, the determination unit 63 determines whether the fire source candidate T1 is in the distribution information by determining the peak value in the concentration distribution or the temperature distribution. Hereinafter, the result of this determination is referred to as the "first determination". The determination unit 63 sends the result of the first determination to the actuating unit 60 and the fire protection processing unit 64.

[0041] Further, based on the detection result of the sensor 40a received from the first acquisition unit 55, the determination unit 63 determines whether there is still a risk that the object T to be monitored in the fire protection device 40 catches fire. Specifically, the determination unit 63 determines whether the detection result of the sensor 40a is equal to or greater than a predetermined third threshold value. When the detection result of the sensor 40a is equal to or greater than the third threshold value, the determination unit 63 determines that there is still a risk of ignition. On the other hand, when the detection result of the sensor 40a is less than the third threshold value, the determination unit 63 determines that there is no risk of re-ignition. Hereinafter, the result of this determination is referred to as the "second determination". The third threshold value is, for example, stored in advance by the storage unit 65. The determination unit 63 performs the operation of the second determination by referring to the third threshold value from the storage unit 65 in a timely manner. The determination unit 63 sends the result of the second determination to the fire protection processing unit 64.

[0042] (Fire protection processing unit) When the result of the first determination received from the determination unit 63 indicates that the fire source candidate T1 is not in the distribution information, the fire protection processing unit 64 activates the fire protection device 40 received from the selection unit 62. That is, by activating the fire protection device 40 received from the selection unit 62, the fire protection processing unit 64 performs fire protection on the object T to be monitored received by the fire protection device 40.

[0043] In addition, when the result of the second determination received from the determination unit 63 indicates that there is still a risk of ignition, the fire protection processing unit 64 continues to operate the fire protection device 40. Also, when the result of the second determination received from the determination unit 63 indicates that there is no risk of ignition, the fire protection processing unit 64 activates the transfer device 9. That is, by activating the transfer device 9, the fire protection processing unit 64 transfers the object T stored in the fire protection device 40 to a pit or the like. Further, the fire protection processing unit 64 sends a message indicating that there is no risk of ignition to the adjustment unit 57.

[0044] (Operation of the control device) Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 5, an example of the operation of the control device 6 in the present embodiment will be described. However, the order of the processes described below is not limited to the following example and may be changed as appropriate.

[0045] First, adjust the settings of the physical quantity sensor 10 to the initial settings (step S1). Next, the first acquisition unit 55 acquires the gas concentration distribution or temperature distribution transmitted from the physical quantity sensor 10 at a predetermined period (step S2). Next, the first detection unit 56 detects the fire source candidate T1 by determining whether there is a fire source candidate T1 in the object to be monitored T in the above distribution information (step S3). If there is no fire source candidate T1 in the object to be monitored T (step S3: NO), the process returns to the process of step S2. On the other hand, if there is a fire source candidate T1 in the object to be monitored T (step S3: YES), the criteria derivation unit 61 derives criteria based on the gas concentrations of a plurality of fire source candidates T1 in time series and the predicted temperature transition of the object to be monitored T (step S4). Next, the selection unit 62 selects the fire protection device 40 that accepts the fire source candidate T1 based on the criteria (step S5). Next, the operation unit 60 operates the transport device 7 so that the fire source candidate T1 moves toward the fire protection device 40 that accepts the fire source candidate T1 (step S6). Next, adjust the settings of the physical quantity sensor 10 so that the physical quantity sensor 10 continuously monitors the fire source candidate T1 being transported (step S7). Next, the first acquisition unit 55 acquires information related to the gas concentration distribution or gas temperature distribution transmitted from the physical quantity sensor 10 at a predetermined period (step S8). Next, the determination unit 63 determines whether the fire source candidate T1 is present in the distribution information (step S9). If the fire source candidate T1 is present (step S9: YES), the process returns to the process of step S7. On the other hand, if the fire source candidate T1 is not present (step S9: NO), the fire protection processing unit 64 performs fire protection processing on the object to be monitored T accepted by the fire protection device 40 by operating the fire protection device 40 (step S10), and the operation unit 60 switches each conveyor 70 to the normal operation state (step S12). When the process of step S12 is completed, the process returns to the process of step S1. Next to the process of step S10, the determination unit 63 determines whether there is a risk of re-ignition of the object to be monitored T in the fire protection device 40 (step S11). If there is a risk of re-ignition of the object to be monitored T (step S11: YES), the process returns to the process of step S10.On the other hand, when there is no risk of the monitored object T reigniting (step S11: NO), the fire prevention processing unit 64 operates the transfer device 9 to transfer the monitored object T stored in the fire prevention device 40 to a pit or the like (step S13). The operations of the control device 6 described above are repeatedly executed during the operation of the waste treatment plant.

[0046] (Function and Effect) According to the above configuration, the fire source candidate T1 can be specified based on at least one of the concentration and temperature of the gas generated from the monitored object T, rather than the surface temperature of the monitored object T. Therefore, even when the fire source candidate T1 is buried inside the monitored object T, it is possible to specify the fire source candidate T1 at an early stage and promptly perform subsequent fire prevention processing. On the other hand, in the case of a configuration that specifies the fire source candidate T1 based on the surface temperature, the specification will be delayed by the time it takes for the heat of the fire source candidate buried inside the monitored object T to reach the surface. According to the above configuration, the risk of such a delay can be minimized, leading to a more prompt fire prevention process.

[0047] According to the above configuration, since the function of the transport device 7 that transports the monitored object T is used for fire prevention processing of the fire source candidate T1, for example, there is no need to use a device for moving the fire source candidate T1. Therefore, the complication of the device configuration can be avoided, and it is possible to further reduce the construction cost and operation cost of the fire prevention system 100.

[0048] According to the above configuration, regardless of the position of the monitored object T that has become the fire source candidate T1, the monitored object T can be immediately put into any one of the fire prevention devices 40 after being specified. Thereby, fire prevention processing can be performed even earlier.

[0049] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a fire from the fire source candidate T1 while the fire source candidate T1 is being transported to the fire prevention device 40. Therefore, the possibility of a fire occurring can be further reduced.

[0050] According to the above configuration, it is possible to approximate the criteria to the time from the timing when the fire source candidate T1 is detected until the actual fire occurs. That is, since the accuracy of the criteria is increased, it becomes possible to perform fire prevention more precisely and quickly.

[0051] <Second Embodiment of Fire Prevention System> Next, a second embodiment of the fire prevention system 100 according to the present disclosure will be described. Note that the criteria derivation unit 61 of the second embodiment described below is partially different from the criteria derivation unit 61 described in the first embodiment above. The description of the common configuration will be omitted.

[0052] (First Acquisition Unit) In the present embodiment, the first acquisition unit 55 acquires the information transmitted from the physical quantity sensor 10 at a predetermined cycle and sends the acquired information to the criteria derivation unit 61. The first acquisition unit 55 is an example of the acquisition unit 50.

[0053] (Criteria Derivation Unit) In this embodiment, when at least one of the plurality of gas concentration distributions and gas temperature distributions in time series received from the first acquisition unit 55 (that is, the information acquired regarding the fire source candidate T1) is input, the criteria derivation unit 61 derives criteria using a learned model 650 (see FIG. 3) that is learned to output criteria. The learned model 650 is stored in advance in the storage unit 65, for example. The criteria derivation unit 61 acquires the output criteria by inputting a plurality of upper parts in time series received from the first acquisition unit 55 to the learned model 650 stored in the storage unit 65. The learned model 650 is a deep learning model (supervised learning model) such as a deep neural network (DNN), for example. The learned model 650 is learned to output criteria corresponding to the above input by repeatedly executing a learning step in which a teacher dataset including a temperature transition of the monitoring target T predicted in advance for each type of the monitoring target T and a heating profile acquired in advance for each type of the monitoring target T is input. The temperature transition of the monitoring target T predicted in advance is a simulation result (temperature prediction curve indicating the temperature transition of the monitoring target T) based on a heating profile (actual data) for each type of the monitoring target T acquired in advance by a combustion test or the like. Note that a deep learning model such as a convolutional neural network (CNN) or a recurrent neural network (RNN) may be used for the learned model 650. The criteria derivation unit 61 sends the derived criteria to the selection unit 62. Note that the criteria derivation unit 61 may derive criteria using the learned model 650 that is learned to output criteria when one piece of information received from the first acquisition unit 55 is input.

[0054] (Function and Effect) According to the above configuration, it is possible to bring the criteria closer to the actual time from the timing when the fire source candidate T1 is detected until a fire occurs.

[0055] <Third Embodiment of Fire Prevention System> Next, a third embodiment of the fire prevention system 100 according to the present disclosure will be described. Regarding the same configurations as those in the above embodiments, the same reference numerals will be given, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, the fire prevention system 100 according to the present embodiment further includes a spraying unit 400 in addition to the above-described respective configurations. The spraying unit 400 is, for example, a spraying device capable of spraying a chemical agent onto a monitoring target T moving on the first conveyor 71. Here, as the chemical agent to be sprayed, a low-temperature volatile substance is preferably used. Specifically, at least one substance selected from the group including water, an organic solvent, and a fluorine compound is used as this type of substance. These substances are known to volatilize in a relatively low-temperature state of about 100°C to 400°C.

[0057] The first acquisition unit 55 described above identifies a fire source candidate T1 based on the concentration of the gas generated from the low-temperature volatile substance sprayed by the spraying unit 400.

[0058] (Function and effect) Here, the monitoring target T may contain a plurality of substances. For example, the type, amount, and temperature of the gas generated by the substances around a heat source such as a lithium-ion battery are different. According to the above configuration, by previously spraying a low-temperature volatile substance with known characteristics onto the monitoring target T, information on the temperature rise and its range can be obtained more accurately. This makes it possible to lead to accurate detection of the omen of ignition.

[0059] According to the above configuration, at least one inexpensive substance selected from water, an organic solvent, and a fluorine compound is used as the low-temperature volatile substance with known characteristics. This makes it possible to further reduce the cost required for fire prevention measures.

[0060] (Other embodiments) As described above in detail with reference to the drawings for the embodiments of the present disclosure, the specific configuration is not limited to the configuration of each embodiment, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other changes to the configuration are possible without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0061] The fire prevention devices 4 and 40 described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment may include a first fire prevention device using a removal fire extinguishing method or a suffocation fire extinguishing method, and a second fire prevention device using a sprinkler fire extinguishing method (cooling fire extinguishing method). In this case, the control devices 5 and 6 (in the case of the second embodiment, for example, the selection unit 62) may select which of the plurality of fire prevention devices 40 to use for fire prevention treatment based on the state of the fire prevention target obtained from the detection result of the second detection unit 58. That is, the control devices 5 and 6 may select a fire prevention device 40 that can execute an appropriate fire extinguishing method from among a plurality of fire prevention devices 40 having different fire extinguishing methods.

[0062] In addition, as a modification of the physical quantity sensor 10 described in each of the above embodiments, it is possible to appropriately select from various configurations that have been put into practical use so far. For example, an analyzer that sucks gas from the vicinity of the monitoring object T on the conveyor 70 and analyzes the concentration of the sucked gas may be provided. Also, it may be in a form that analyzes the gas concentration by irradiating a laser. Further, in any case, in order to avoid gas dissipation, a partition plate that divides the area on the conveyor 70 into a plurality of sections may be arranged.

[0063] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, a configuration has been described in which the physical quantity sensor 10 monitors at least one of the concentration of the gas generated from the monitoring object T and the temperature of the gas to detect a sign of a fire. However, the method for detecting a sign of a fire is not limited to this, and it is also possible to detect the surface temperature of the monitoring object T with a thermographic image or a temperature sensor and combine it with the sign detection based on the above gas concentration or gas temperature. According to this configuration, it is possible to identify the fire source candidate T1 with higher accuracy and detect a sign of a fire even earlier.

[0064] (Configuration of Computer) Also, FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing the configuration of the computer 1100 according to the present embodiment. The computer 1100 includes a processor 1110, a main memory 1120, a storage 1130, and an interface 1140.

[0065] The above-described control devices 5 and 6 are implemented on one or more computers 1100. The operations of the above-described respective processing units are stored in the storage 1130 in the form of a program. The processor 1110 reads the program from the storage 1130, expands it in the main memory 1120, and executes the above processing according to the program. Further, the processor 1110 secures a storage area corresponding to the above-described storage units 54 and 65 in the main memory 1120 according to the program. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions to be exhibited by the computer 1100. For example, the program may exhibit functions in combination with other programs already stored in the storage 1130 or in combination with other programs implemented in other devices. In addition, the computer 1100 may include a custom LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) in addition to or instead of the above configuration. Examples of PLDs include PAL (Programmable Array Logic), GAL (Generic Array Logic), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In this case, some or all of the functions realized by the processor 1110 may be realized by the integrated circuit.

[0066] Examples of the storage 1130 include a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The storage 1130 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of the computer 1100, or may be an external medium connected to the computer 1100 via the interface 1140 or a communication line. Further, when this program is distributed to the computer 1100 via a communication line, the receiving computer 1100 may expand the program in the main memory 1120 and execute the above processing. In the above embodiment, the storage 1130 is a non-temporary tangible storage medium. Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the above-described functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that realizes the above-described functions in combination with other programs already stored in the storage 1130.

[0067] <Appendix> The fire prevention system described in each embodiment is understood as follows, for example.

[0068] (1) The fire prevention system 100 according to the first aspect includes a physical quantity sensor 10 that acquires at least one of the concentration and temperature of the gas generated from the monitoring object T, a detection unit 56 that specifies the position of the fire source candidate T1 in the monitoring object T by comparing the concentration with a predetermined threshold value, and a fire prevention device 40 that performs a fire prevention process on the fire source candidate.

[0069] According to the above configuration, the fire source candidate T1 can be specified based on the concentration of the gas generated from the monitoring object T instead of the surface temperature of the monitoring object T. Therefore, even when the fire source candidate T1 is buried inside the monitoring object T, it is possible to specify the fire source candidate T1 at an early stage and quickly perform the subsequent fire prevention process.

[0070] (2) The fire prevention system 100 according to the second aspect is the fire prevention system 100 of (1), further comprising a spraying unit 400 for spraying a low-temperature volatile substance on the surface of the object to be monitored T, and the physical quantity sensor 10 acquires at least one of the concentration and temperature of the volatile gas generated based on the low-temperature volatile substance.

[0071] According to the above configuration, by previously spraying a low-temperature volatile substance with known characteristics on the object to be monitored T, information on temperature rise and its range can be obtained more accurately.

[0072] (3) The fire prevention system 100 according to the third aspect is the fire prevention system 100 of (2), wherein the low-temperature volatile substance is at least one substance selected from the group including water, an organic solvent, and a fluorine compound.

[0073] According to the above configuration, at least one inexpensive substance selected from water, an organic solvent, and a fluorine compound is used as the low-temperature volatile substance with known characteristics. Thereby, it is possible to further reduce the cost required for fire prevention measures.

[0074] (4) The fire prevention system 100 according to the fourth aspect is the fire prevention system 100 according to any one of the aspects (1) to (3), further comprising a control device 6 for causing the fire prevention device 40 to execute the fire prevention treatment when the fire source candidate T1 is specified by the detection unit 56.

[0075] According to the above configuration, since the fire source candidate T1 is fire-prevention treated using the function of the control device 6, for example, it is not necessary to use a device for moving the fire source candidate T1 or the like.

[0076] (5) The fire prevention system 100 according to the fifth aspect is the fire prevention system 100 of (4), further comprising a transport device 7 for transporting the object to be monitored T, wherein the transport device 7 has a plurality of conveyors 70 each for transporting the object to be monitored T, and each of the plurality of fire prevention devices 40 is arranged to be able to receive the object to be monitored T transported by one or more conveyors 70 included in the plurality of conveyors 70.

[0077] According to the above configuration, regardless of the position of the object to be monitored T that has become the fire source candidate T1, the object to be monitored T can be put into any one of the fire prevention devices 40 immediately after being identified.

[0078] (6) The fire prevention system 100 according to the sixth aspect is the fire prevention system 100 of (4) or (5), wherein when the fire source candidate T1 on the transport device 7 is identified, the control device 6 selects the fire prevention device 40 that receives the fire source candidate from among the plurality of fire prevention devices 40 based on criteria indicating the time from the identified timing to the timing of fire occurrence.

[0079] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a fire from the fire source candidate T1 while the fire source candidate T1 is being transported to the fire prevention device 40.

[0080] (7) The fire prevention system 100 according to the seventh aspect is the fire prevention system 100 of (6), wherein the control device 6 derives the criteria based on the concentration obtained for the fire source candidate T1 and the temperature transition of the object to be monitored T predicted based on a temperature rise profile obtained in advance for each type of the object to be monitored T.

[0081] According to the above configuration, it is possible to approximate the criteria to the time taken from the timing when the fire source candidate T1 is detected to the actual occurrence of a fire.

[0082] (8) The fire prevention system 100 according to the eighth aspect is the fire prevention system 100 in (7), and when at least one of the concentration and the temperature acquired regarding the fire source candidate T1 is input, the control device 6 uses a learned model learned to output the criteria to derive the criteria. The learned model is learned to output the criteria according to the input by repeatedly executing a learning step in which a data set including at least one of the predicted temperature transition of the monitoring object T predicted in advance for each type of the monitoring object T and the temperature increase profile acquired in advance for each type of the monitoring object T is input.

[0083] According to the above configuration, it is possible to approximate the criteria to the time taken from the timing when the fire source candidate T1 is detected to the actual occurrence of a fire.

Explanation of Signs

[0084] 10…Physical quantity sensor 2…Moving device 3…Detector 40…Fire prevention device 6…Control device 7…Conveying device 8…Shoot part 8a…Surface 8g…Guide part 8h…Receiving opening 9…Transfer device 11…First physical quantity sensor 12…Second physical quantity sensor 13…Third physical quantity sensor 40a…Sensor 41…First fire prevention device 42…Second fire prevention device 43…Third fire prevention device 50…Acquisition part 54…Storage part 55…First acquisition part 56…First detection part 58…Second detection part 60…Actuating part 59…Second acquisition part 61…Criteria derivation part 62…Selection part 63…Judgment part 64…Fire prevention processing part 70…Conveyor 71…First conveyor 72…Second conveyor 73…Third conveyor 74…Fourth conveyor 100…Fire prevention system 200…Crusher 300…Wall surface 650…Learned model 1100…Computer 1110…Processor 1120…Main memory 1130…Storage 1140…Interface

Claims

1. A physical quantity sensor that acquires at least one of the concentration and temperature of a gas generated from an object to be monitored, A detection unit that identifies the position of a fire source candidate in the object to be monitored by comparing the concentration with a predetermined threshold value, A fire prevention device that performs fire prevention treatment on the fire source candidate, A fire prevention system comprising the above.

2. The system further comprises a spraying unit that sprays a low-temperature volatile substance on the surface of the object to be monitored, The physical quantity sensor acquires at least one of the concentration and temperature of a volatile gas generated based on the low-temperature volatile substance. The fire prevention system according to claim 1.

3. The low-temperature volatile substance is at least one substance selected from the group including water, organic solvents, and fluorine compounds. The fire prevention system according to claim 2.

4. A control device that causes the fire prevention device to execute the fire prevention treatment when the fire source candidate is identified by the detection unit, The fire prevention system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the above.

5. The system further comprises a conveying device that conveys the object to be monitored, The conveying device has a plurality of conveyors each of which conveys the object to be monitored, Each of the plurality of fire prevention devices is arranged to be able to receive the object to be monitored conveyed by one or more conveyors included in the plurality of conveyors. The fire prevention system according to claim 4.

6. When the fire source candidate on the conveying device is identified, the control device selects the fire prevention device that receives the fire source candidate from among the plurality of fire prevention devices based on criteria indicating the time from the identified timing to the timing of fire occurrence. The fire prevention system according to claim 5.

7. The control device derives the criteria based on the concentration acquired regarding the fire source candidate and the predicted temperature change of the object to be monitored based on a temperature rise profile acquired in advance for each type of the object to be monitored. The fire prevention system according to claim 6.

8. When at least one of the concentration and temperature acquired regarding the fire source candidate is input, the control device derives the criteria using a learned model learned to output the criteria, The learned model is, The predicted temperature change of the object to be monitored predicted in advance for each type of the object to be monitored, The temperature rise profile acquired in advance for each type of the object to be monitored, The learning step in which a dataset including at least one of them is input is repeatedly executed, so that the fire prevention system according to claim 7 is learned to output the criteria according to the input.

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