Fire extinguishing agent

Abstract

The fire extinguishing agent contains 13% - 65% (by weight) of technical urea, 5% - 26% of modified clay, and at least one of ammonium polyphosphate or ammonium sulfate up to 40%, and is heated and cooled between 130°F and 240°F. The fire extinguishing agent may contain 15% - 45% of water. The fire extinguishing agent may further contain a thickening agent, an emulsifying agent, a coloring agent, or propylene glycol. Since this product is completely harmless and classified as non-toxic, the fire extinguishing agent poses no danger to animals or plants. The fire extinguishing agent causes no damage to the aquifer or groundwater and biodegrades in 30 to 60 days.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The field of the present invention is fire suppression. The object of the present invention is to provide a tool for suppressing various types of fires and preventing their progression. Since the tool is environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and harmless, it can be used for forest fires and structural fires.

Background Art

[0002] Several types of products are used in fire fighting activities. Most flame retardants work by removing one of the essential elements (usually ambient oxygen) to prevent the reaction (fuel + heat + oxygen) that causes the fire. Flame retardants attempt to create a barrier that separates both reactants (fuel and oxygen) while removing oxygen. There are also products that prevent combustion by lowering the temperature.

[0003] Some examples of products used for fire fighting can be found in Patent Documents 1 to 4.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention is a powder, liquid concentrate, or foamed compound that can be very easily dissolved in water or a similar polar liquid. Its main features are as follows. Delay, prevent, and suppress fires. Biodegradability. Non-toxic, free of heavy metals and halogens. Can be used even in environmentally sensitive environments. Non-corrosive. Free of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

[0006] To use the product, it needs to be mixed with water or a similar liquid. This product dissolves easily in water and other polar liquids and can be carried out by known mechanical or manual processes for mixing and dispensing.

[0007] The main components of the fire extinguishing agent are modified clay and nitrogen compounds, urea, ammonium sulfate, and / or ammonium polyphosphate. Since nitrogen compounds decompose when exposed to high temperatures, nitrogen removes oxygen from the surrounding air and cools the area. Clay and other components form a barrier to prevent further ignition. Also, this reaction absorbs heat and significantly reduces the air temperature. Due to these three effects, this product can not only suppress and delay fires but also extinguish them.

[0008] When the fire extinguishing agent comes into contact or interacts with the heat from the fire through radiation or convection, a chemical endothermic chain reaction occurs, first increasing the humidity and then rapidly dissipating intense cold, breaking the fire cycle. The release of this large amount of cold air in the form of nitrogen (cold gas) not only dramatically lowers the surrounding temperature but also replaces most of the available oxygen, isolating the fuel and preventing the oxidation of combustibles. Since 78% of the air we breathe is composed of nitrogen, this reaction is completely harmless to the human body, and there is always oxygen remaining at the disaster site (so that firefighters and people caught in the fire can breathe easily). In this way, the three elements necessary for combustion (heat, oxygen, fuel) are separated. At this point, the fire slowly goes out and does not reignite.

[0009] The average temperature of a forest fire reaches approximately 1800°F, but at the location where the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed and its surrounding areas, the temperature drops rapidly to an average of 140°F, making it impossible for the fire to continue. At the same time, since nitrogen, a cold inert gas, exists in the surroundings, it prevents the fire from spreading beyond the application area. Also, the effect on the treated vegetation lasts for at least 10 - 15 days unless it rains, thus preventing the recurrence of a fire that has been extinguished once. The fire extinguishing agent lowers the surrounding temperature, so one can walk at the location right after the fire is extinguished.

[0010] This fire extinguishing agent does not pose a danger to the lives of plants and animals. This is because this product has been proven to be completely harmless and non-toxic. First of all, it does not cause any damage to the aquifer or groundwater. Also, it is completely biodegradable. The fire extinguishing agent continues to protect the target area from re-ignition for 15 - 20 days as long as it does not rain during this period.

[0011] This fire extinguishing agent is non-corrosive to metals and other materials, so it can be used in reserve pumps, portable pumps, and sprinkler systems in houses and buildings. In addition, it can be sprayed from the air using airplanes or helicopters, or sprayed using vehicles such as pickup trucks.

[0012] In the case of structure fires, urban fires, ship fires, or aircraft fires, when the fire extinguishing agent comes into contact with the fire, a large-scale cooling effect can be obtained in the application area, which is very beneficial for the fire department. When firefighters start applying the fire extinguishing agent to the fire, the fire extinguishing agent begins to emit intense cold air, lowering the high surrounding temperature of the area, enabling the ground team to enter the affected area quickly and safely and fight the flames more effectively.

[0013] Using this product on structures provides two main advantages. That is, the speed of fire extinguishing is improved and the need for water is reduced. Since water is only used as a medium for applying this product, water damage to the structure is reduced. This leads to shortening the time required for fire extinguishing to about two-thirds compared to using only water.

[0014] In ships and aircraft, the fire extinguishing agent brings great benefits due to its cooling characteristics. To protect ships and human lives, fires can be extinguished more quickly. Furthermore, the fire extinguishing agent does not react to fires of petroleum-based and other fuels. The foam type works very well for this type of fire.

[0015] Although this product recommends mixing with fresh water, it is also possible to mix with seawater in the case of ships, seaplanes, and structures near the water.

[0016] Due to its non-corrosive property, it can be applied to any metal surface. However, it is convenient to wash the affected parts with pressurized water.

[0017] The use of this fire extinguishing agent for electrical fires is not recommended. Although the fire extinguishing agent can extinguish electrical fires, the affected part through which electricity passes will get wet with the water in which the fire extinguishing agent is diluted, and there is a risk of electric shock to people nearby.

[0018] In case of emergency, the fire extinguishing agent can be sprayed to save the lives of people actually in danger.

[0019] In forest fires, due to the vast area of the land, it is recommended to indirectly extinguish the fire by safely spraying this product in front of the wildfire to form a firebreak, suppressing the fire when it reaches the sprayed area, and enabling firefighters to pursue with a direct attack safely and effectively if necessary. Safe spraying is a very important element because firefighters can carry out fire extinguishing activities from a distance without endangering human lives. The possibility of direct extinguishing is particularly effective for protecting specific areas and human lives.

[0020] The fire extinguishing agent can be sprayed directly or indirectly from land or air, or as a firebreak approximately 15 - 50 feet wide, depending on the climate, terrain, type of vegetation (density, type, characteristics, etc.). The vegetation in the sprayed area must be completely treated and the whole area must be wetted.

[0021] This product is applied using existing equipment commonly used in fire extinguishing activities.

[0022] When spraying from the ground, the commonly used devices are a primer pump, a portable pump, a power pump, or a truck equipped with a tank with a hose and a pump, or other devices for spraying or applying the product. Spraying with a fumigation device is not envisioned because reducing the opening of the applicator will prevent all the product particles from passing through.

[0023] From the air, the fire extinguishing agent can be sprayed from any type of airplane, drone, helicopter, or other aircraft modified for this purpose that is commonly used in firefighting operations. The product is dropped continuously and repeatedly until the firebreak area is treated before the fire. The technology for aerial spraying is the same as that of existing flame retardants.

[0024] When an individual or enterprise uses this product to protect their property, it can be sprayed using a hose, a household outdoor irrigation sprinkler system, or a sprinkler system dedicated to fire prevention. This system is supplemented with a tank containing a concentrated amount of the product, which is added to the water before spraying while maintaining a predetermined time and amount. If the fire extinguishing agent is in powder form, other methods are used.

[0025] In the case of structural fires, urban fires, and ship fires, the fire extinguishing agent is used in either of the following two methods. First, it is the method of automatically adding the product through an existing sprinkler system using a Venturi injection device or other proportioner system. The second is direct combat at the fire source. Firefighters use a hose, a primer pump, or other types of fire extinguisher sprayers to apply the product directly to the flames. This causes an almost instantaneous reaction in which the fire extinguishing agent begins to emit extremely low temperatures in the application area, reducing the surrounding temperature and enabling firefighters to advance more quickly into the affected area. In the case of an aircraft fire, the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed using a truck equipped with a pump and a hose. Foam fire extinguishing agents are usually used in this type of fire.

[0026] In the case of a fuel fire, the use of a foam type fire extinguishing agent is recommended.

[0027] The basic components are as follows. Water 15% - 45% (by weight), however, it is possible to sell and store without water. Technical urea 13% - 65% Modified clay (natural, deformed, micronized, nanoparticles) 5% - 26% The clay used in the production of the fire suppressant is generally a modified primary clay that is deformed or micronized and obtained from the group of kaolinite (kaolin, bentonite, sepiolite, etc.). Other clays with nanoparticles of 1 - 100 nanometers may also be used. The particle size is not relevant. Up to 40% of ammonium polyphosphate and / or one or both of ammonium sulfate.

[0028] Clay increases the structure and density of the product. Also, clay absorbs heat to protect the material, suppresses the outflow of nitrogen gas and ash. Clay creates a protective layer on the surface of vegetation.

[0029] The remainder of the fire extinguishing agent is composed of one or more of the following compounds so that it becomes 100% by mass. Thickening agent (guar gum...) 0% - 10%. The main use is when the product requires more viscosity and is usually used for air applications. pH adjuster 0 - 10%. Keep the pH between 6 - 7. Example: phosphoric acid, acetic acid, ascorbic acid, etc. Polypropylene glycol 0 - 15%. Polypropylene glycol protects the material from extreme heat, helps the product adhere to the surface of the application area, and keeps all components of the formulation together. Emulsifier 0 - 15%. Usually cellulose - based. Colorant 0 - 15%. The pigment depends on the desired color. For example, a red fugitive dye, etc.

[0030] During production, the fire extinguishing agent is heated to 130 - 240°F (54 - 115°C) and then cooled. By doing so, it is ready to use the material or store it for the purpose.

[0031] Depending on the type of product, colors or pigments may be added for commercial reasons. For example, in the case of forest fires, red is added to the product so that the application of the product can be clearly identified from above. In the case of other fires, the product generally remains in its normal whitish color. Colors can be further added when commercially required in various industries. The addition of color does not affect the quality or effectiveness of the product.

[0032] The fire extinguishing agent initially appears as a white powder, milky white liquid, or foam. It can also be colored with pigments. The density of the ready-to-use product is usually 0.8 - 1.1 g / cm 3 and it may be commercially available as a concentrate. The density of the concentrate is usually 1.4 g / cm 3 , the viscosity is 200 cps or more, and the pH is 6 - 7. The foam type of this product is also commercially available and is mainly used for fuel fires.

[0033] The preparation of the product results in a solution of 17 - 25% by weight in the case of powder and 10 - 20% by volume in the case of concentrate.

[0034] This fire extinguishing agent can be used for forest fires, structure fires, fires on ships and aircraft, and fuel fires.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0035] <Example 1> The fire suppressant in powder version according to the present invention consists of the following. Technical urea: 17% Kaolin: 5% Ammonium polyphosphate 25% / ammonium sulfate: 13% Guar gum: 10% Alkyl sulfonic acid: 3% Polypropylene glycol: 8% Cellulose emulsifier: 7% Red escape dye: 12%

[0036] <Example 2> Example 2 of the fire extinguishing agent consists of the following. Technical urea: 13% Kaolin: 13% Ammonium polyphosphate: 12% Guar gum: 19% Ascorbic acid: 11% Polypropylene glycol: 13% Cellulose emulsifier: 9% Red escape dye: 10%.

Claims

[Claim 1] 13% to 65% (by weight) of technical urea, 5% to 26% modified clay, At least one of ammonium polyphosphate or ammonium sulfate up to 40%, A fire extinguishing agent containing, The fire extinguishing agent is heated between 130°F and 240°F and then cooled. Fire extinguishing agent.