Fire extinguishing sheets and fire extinguishing equipment

Abstract

This fire extinguishing device is capable of reliably extinguishing fires not only from small rechargeable batteries, but also from items that are known to cause ignition, such as spray cans and lighters, during waste processing at waste treatment facilities that handle non-combustible waste, bulky waste, and waste plastics; from items that ignite during processing at RPF manufacturing plants that use waste paper and waste plastics as solid fuel; and from items and home appliances in everyday life. [Solution] The system comprises a fire extinguishing sheet 3, a conveyor 4 for transporting collected waste 2, a support member 5 that supports the fire extinguishing sheet 3 in a state where it covers the top and left and right sides of the conveyor 4, a fire detector 7 that detects the point of ignition in the collected waste 2 on the conveyor 4, and a release mechanism 8 that releases the support of the fire extinguishing sheet 3 by the support member 5 in response to the fire detection signal from the fire detector 7, allowing the fire extinguishing sheet 3 to fall onto the collected waste 2.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing sheet capable of extinguishing a fire generated from a waste treatment facility that processes collected waste in a short time, and a fire extinguishing device using the fire extinguishing sheet.

Background Art

[0002] When small rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and nickel-metal hydride batteries are mixed in household waste, they catch fire during or after the processing of household waste by a crusher or during transportation, causing a fire in the waste treatment facility. Therefore, in order to remove chargers and small household appliances containing these from household waste, detection by X-rays has conventionally been carried out in waste treatment facilities for household waste (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, conventionally, there is a detection omission in X-ray detection. When household waste containing a small rechargeable battery enters the waste treatment facility as it is, there is a problem that the small rechargeable battery catches fire and causes a fire.

[0005] This invention has been made in consideration of the problems of the past, and aims to provide a fire extinguishing sheet and fire extinguishing device that can reliably extinguish fires not only from small rechargeable batteries, but also from items that are considered to be ignition sources, such as spray cans and lighters, when they ignite during waste treatment at waste treatment facilities that handle non-combustible waste, bulky waste, and waste plastics, when items ignite during processing at RPF manufacturing plants that use waste paper and waste plastics as solid fuel, and even when items and home appliances in everyday life ignite. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The fire extinguishing sheet of the present invention is formed in a sheet shape with fire extinguishing agent powder and silica sand powder as its main components, and is characterized by being positioned so as to fall above a conveyor that transports collected waste.

[0007] Furthermore, the fire extinguishing sheet of the present invention is characterized by being mainly composed of fire extinguishing agent powder and silica sand powder, and being formed into a sheet of a portable size.

[0008] The fire extinguishing sheet described above is characterized by being formed in the form of a sheet in which the fire extinguishing agent powder and the silica sand powder are dispersed and mixed in a thermoplastic resin.

[0009] Furthermore, the material is characterized by being formed in the form of a sheet by coating a fire-resistant cloth with a material obtained by dispersing and mixing the fire extinguishing agent powder and the silica sand powder in a thermoplastic resin.

[0010] The fire extinguishing device of the present invention is characterized by comprising the above-mentioned fire extinguishing sheet, a conveyor for transporting collected waste, a support member that supports the fire extinguishing sheet in a state where it covers the top and left and right sides of the conveyor, a fire detector that detects the point of ignition from the collected waste on the conveyor, and a release mechanism that releases the support of the fire extinguishing sheet by the support member in response to the fire detection signal from the fire detector, thereby allowing the fire extinguishing sheet to fall onto the collected waste.

[0011] In this invention, the fire extinguishing sheets are arranged in a series, thereby covering the area above and to the left and right sides of the conveyor.

[0012] Furthermore, the release mechanism is characterized by releasing the support of the support member so that the fire extinguishing sheet covers the entire length of the conveyor and falls.

[0013] Furthermore, the release member is characterized by controlling the support of the support member so that the fire extinguishing sheet corresponding to the ignition point falls onto the conveyor.

[0014] Furthermore, the conveyor is characterized in that at least the conveying belt portion is made of fire-resistant material.

[0015] Furthermore, the conveyor is characterized in that a fall guide means is provided at the end of the conveyor to guide the fall based on the ignition detection signal of the fire detector, and a fire extinguishing tank supplied with water or non-combustible gas is provided to receive the falling object from the fall guide means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The fire extinguishing sheet of the present invention has weight added to it because silica sand powder is mixed with the fire extinguishing agent powder. As a result, the fire extinguishing sheet does not shift from its position when dropped onto the conveyor, and fire extinguishing can be reliably performed by covering the collected waste. Furthermore, if the fire extinguishing sheet is formed into a portable sheet, it can be used to quickly and reliably extinguish a fire by covering a small rechargeable battery itself or an electrical appliance containing a small rechargeable battery with the sheet if the battery catches fire.

[0017] According to the fire extinguishing device of the present invention, when the fire detector detects a fire from the collected waste, the release mechanism releases the support by the support member, so that the fire extinguishing sheet falls onto the conveyor and fire extinguishing can be performed by the fire extinguishing sheet. Therefore, even if a small rechargeable battery mixed in the collected waste catches fire, it can be surely extinguished, and a fire or spread of fire in the waste treatment facility can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a front view showing the whole of a fire extinguishing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of the fire extinguishing device. [Figure 3] It is a side view showing a state where a fire is detected by the fire extinguishing device. [Figure 4] It is a side view showing a state where fire extinguishing is performed by the fire extinguishing device. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the fire extinguishing device. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the fire extinguishing sheet. [Figure 7] It is a front view of a form in which dropping guide means and a fire extinguishing tank are added. [Figure 8] It is a front view of another form in which dropping guide means and a fire extinguishing tank are added. [Figure 9] It is a front view of another form in which dropping guide means and a fire extinguishing tank are added. [Figure 10] It is a front view of yet another form in which dropping guide means and a fire extinguishing tank are added.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] A fire extinguishing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The fire extinguishing device 1 comprises a conveyor 4 for transporting collected waste 2, a support member 5 for supporting a fire extinguishing sheet 3, a fire detector 7 for detecting ignition from the collected waste 2, a release mechanism 8 for allowing the fire extinguishing sheet 3 to fall onto the collected waste 2, and a control panel 9 for controlling the operation of the release mechanism 8. In this invention, collected waste refers to waste collected for recycling and is a category of waste that includes household appliance waste and plastic waste.

[0020] The fire extinguishing sheet 3 is formed in a sheet (plate) shape, mainly composed of fire extinguishing agent powder and silica sand powder. As the fire extinguishing agent powder, powders commonly used in powder fire extinguishers, such as ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate, and sodium bicarbonate, are used. The silica sand powder used is made from crushed waste glass. Since silica sand powder is silicon dioxide, it is harmless to humans. By mixing this silica sand powder with the fire extinguishing agent powder to create a fire extinguishing sheet, weight is added to the fire extinguishing sheet 3, ensuring that the sheet reliably covers the collected waste.

[0021] Furthermore, in the case of silica sand powder, simply crushing ordinary waste glass tends to produce sharp edges, posing a risk of cuts to the hands when touched. For this reason, it is preferable to use silica sand powder (trademark name "Linka Glass Sand" (Registered Trademark No. 6854665)) that has been processed to eliminate sharp edges as the silica sand powder of the present invention.

[0022] The fire extinguishing sheet 3 of the present invention can be made primarily from the above-mentioned fire extinguishing agent powder and silica sand powder, and molded into a portable sheet. By making it a portable sheet, when a small rechargeable battery itself or an electrical appliance containing a small rechargeable battery catches fire, the fire can be quickly and reliably extinguished by covering them with the fire extinguishing sheet. Therefore, it can also be used to deal with fires that occur in general household life and in general society.

[0023] To disperse the fire extinguishing agent powder and silica sand powder, they are mixed with a thermoplastic resin. Suitable thermoplastic resins include polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, as well as polystyrene, acrylic resin, and ABS resin, which readily melt when heated.

[0024] The fire extinguishing sheet 3 can be easily obtained by mixing the above materials and forming it into a sheet of a predetermined size. However, it is not limited to this method; a mixture of the above materials may also be applied to commercially available fireproof cloth to form a sheet.

[0025] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of another example of the fire extinguishing sheet 3, which is formed by laminating a sheet-like mixed powder 30, a mixture of the fire extinguishing powder, silica sand powder, and thermoplastic resin, above and below a metal mesh 31. Because it is equipped with a metal mesh 31, it has strength and the advantage of improved handling.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fire extinguishing sheet 3 is supported by a support member 5 so as to cover the top and left and right sides of the conveyor 4. The support member 5 in the illustrated example comprises a plurality of vertical rails 11 erected along the length of the conveyor 4 on the left and right sides of the conveyor 4, and a horizontal rail 12 stretched across the plurality of vertical rails 11. The horizontal rail 12 has a length approximately equal to the total length of the conveyor 4, and by connecting the fire extinguishing sheet 3 on the horizontal rail 12, the fire extinguishing sheet 3 is supported in a state that covers the top and left and right sides of the conveyor 4. The entire fire extinguishing sheet 3 can be dropped onto the conveyor 4 by a release mechanism 8. In the illustrated example, the support member 5 has a bridging member 15 that supports the horizontal rail 12, and this bridging member 15 is attached to the vertical rail 11 so as to be vertically movable (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0027] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the release mechanism 8 is attached to each of the vertical rails 11 of the support member 5. The release mechanism 8 has a hook 13 that is rotatably attached to the vertical rail 11, and this hook 13 supports the horizontal rail 12 by engaging with the bridging member 15. The hook 13 retracts from its engagement with the bridging member 15 by rotating, and this retraction causes the bridging member 15 and the horizontal rail 12 to fall, and the entire fire extinguishing sheet 3 supported by the horizontal rail 12 falls onto the conveyor 4. This fall allows the fire extinguishing sheet 3 to fall onto the collected waste 2, and the fire extinguishing sheet 3 extinguishes the collected waste 2.

[0028] Multiple fire detectors 7 are arranged along the length of the conveyor 4 on its side. The fire detectors 7 can be smoke detectors, flame detectors, or heat detectors, or a combination of these. By arranging multiple fire detectors 7, the location of any ignition on the conveyor 4 can be reliably detected.

[0029] In addition to the above, the release mechanism 8 is connected to the control panel 9. The control panel 9 is connected to the fire detector 7, and when the fire detector 7 detects a fire originating from the collected waste 2, it retracts the hook 13 of the release mechanism 8. This allows all the fire extinguishing sheets 3 to fall onto the conveyor belt 4. In this embodiment, the control panel 9 is connected to an alarm bell 14, and when the fire detector 7 detects a fire, the control panel 9 sounds the alarm bell 14. This allows nearby workers to become aware of the fire.

[0030] Preferably, the conveyor 4 has a conveyor belt made of fire-resistant material, and the entire conveyor, including the rollers, may also be made of fire-resistant material. As the fire-resistant material, metal mesh or thin metal plates can be used. By using fire-resistant material in this way, even if the collected waste 2 ignites, the fire will not be transmitted to the conveyor 4, and the fire extinguishing device 1 can be used safely.

[0031] Furthermore, it is preferable to use an auxiliary power supply, independent of the commercially available power supply, rather than a standard commercially available power supply, as the power source for the conveyor 4, fire detector 7, release mechanism 8, control panel 9, and alarm bell 14. By using an auxiliary power supply, the devices can be operated regardless of power outages, thus ensuring safe operation. Furthermore, the release mechanism 8 can be designed to allow the hook 13 of the release mechanism 8 to be manually retracted and rotated without using a commercially available power supply or auxiliary power supply. For example, a wire can be attached to the hook 13, and the hook 13 can be retracted by pulling the wire by hand.

[0032] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of the operation of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, when the collected waste 2 ignites, the fire detector 7 detects the location of the fire (S11). This causes the control panel 9 to control the hook 13 (release mechanism 8) so that it detaches from the bridging member 15 (S12). At the same time, the control panel 9 sounds the alarm bell 14 (S13). As the hook 13 is released, the entire fire extinguishing sheet 3 on the support member 5 falls onto the conveyor 4 so as to cover the collected waste 2 on the conveyor 4 (S14). As a result, as shown in Figure 4, the fire is extinguished by the fire extinguishing agent powder on the fire extinguishing sheet 3. At this time, since silica sand powder is mixed into the fire extinguishing sheet 3 to give it weight, the fire extinguishing sheet 3 does not slip off the collected waste 2 and can reliably cover the collected waste 2 to extinguish the fire.

[0033] In addition to the above, the fire extinguishing device 1 is provided with a stopper rod 16 (see Figures 1 and 2). In the illustrated example, the stopper rod 16 is erected on the floor so as to face the upstream and downstream ends of the fire extinguishing sheet 3 which is installed on the horizontal rail 12. If the conveyor 4 has an inclined structure, the horizontal rail 12 and the fire extinguishing sheet 3 will also be inclined in accordance with the inclination of the conveyor 4, and this inclination may cause the fire extinguishing sheet 3 to slide off the horizontal rail 12, and the stopper rod prevents this sliding. This makes it possible to accommodate an inclined structure. Note that the stopper rod 16 only needs to be installed on at least the downstream side of the inclined horizontal rail 12 and the fire extinguishing sheet 3, and installing it at both ends as in the illustrated example is optional.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the fire extinguishing sheet 3 is structured to cover the entire length of the conveyor 4 as it falls. However, the structure is not limited to this, and it is also possible to have a structure in which only the fire extinguishing sheet 3 corresponding to the location of the fire falls onto the conveyor 4. In this case, it is possible to control the control panel 9 so that only the fire extinguishing sheet 3 corresponding to the location where the fire detector 7 has detected a fire falls onto the conveyor 4.

[0035] According to this invention, even if small rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and nickel-metal hydride batteries are mixed in with the collected waste 2, the fire can be reliably extinguished even if these small rechargeable batteries ignite. Therefore, it is possible to prevent fires and the spread of fire in waste treatment facilities. Generally, in the disposal of household appliance waste, the waste is crushed, but ignition often occurs during this crushing process and during transportation after crushing. For this reason, it is preferable to install the fire extinguishing device 1 in a position immediately following the crusher. However, it is not limited to this position, and the fire extinguishing device 1 may also be placed in a preceding process to the crusher.

[0036] Figure 7 shows an embodiment in which a drop guide means 19 and a fire extinguishing tank 20 are provided at the end of the conveyor 4. The fire extinguishing tank 20 is located below the drop guide means 19. A damper is used as the drop guide means 19. Under normal circumstances, the damper as the drop guide means 19 operates to transfer the collected waste 2 to the second conveyor 18 at the end of the conveyor 4, but a fire detection signal from the fire detector 7 guides the fire extinguishing sheet 3 and the collected waste 2 to fall into the fire extinguishing tank 20. This fall supplies water, carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas, or other non-combustible gases to the fire extinguishing tank 20, thereby extinguishing the fire. This structure ensures that the collected waste 2 and the fire extinguishing sheet 3 are reliably extinguished.

[0037] Figure 8 shows another example of the drop guide means 19, in which an extendable conveyor is used as the drop guide means 19. (A) is the normal operation, which drives the collected waste from the conveyor 4 to flow downstream. (B) is the operation when the fire detector 7 outputs a fire detection signal, in which case the drop guide means 19 retracts to the downstream side. As a result the collected waste 2 and the fire extinguishing sheet 3 fall into the fire extinguishing tank 20, and the fire is extinguished by the water and non-combustible gas shared in the fire extinguishing tank 20.

[0038] Figure 9 shows that the drop guide means 19 is a retractable conveyor. In the normal state shown in (A), when the fire detector 7 outputs a fire detection signal, the retractable conveyor retracts to the downstream side as shown in (B), and the collected waste 2 and fire extinguishing sheet 3 fall into the fire extinguishing tank 20, where the fire is extinguished with water or non-combustible gas.

[0039] Figure 10 shows that the drop guide means 19 is a forward / reverse switchable conveyor. Normally, it guides as indicated by arrow E1, but when the fire detector 7 outputs a fire detection signal, it rotates in the reverse direction indicated by arrow E2, guiding the collected waste 2 and fire extinguishing sheets 3 to the fire extinguishing tank 20. This allows the fire to be extinguished by the fire extinguishing tank 20. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0040] 1 Fire extinguishing equipment 2. Collectible waste 3. Fire extinguishing sheet 4. Support members 7. Fire detector 8 Release mechanism 9 Control Panel 11 Vertical rails 12 horizontal rails 13 hooks 14. Alarm bell 15. Bridge Member 16 Stopper Rod 18. Second Conveyor 19. Falling guide means 30 Mixed powder 31 Metal mesh

Claims

1. A fire extinguishing sheet characterized by being primarily composed of fire extinguishing agent powder and silica sand powder processed to eliminate edges, formed into a portable sheet, and arranged in multiples to cover the top and left and right sides of a conveyor belt that transports collected waste, with the entire connected sheet being able to fall onto the conveyor belt.

2. A conveyor belt that transports the collected waste, A support member that supports the state in which the fire extinguishing sheets described in claim 1 are connected in series to cover the top and left and right sides of the conveyor, A fire detector for detecting the point of ignition from the collected waste on the conveyor, A fire extinguishing device characterized by comprising a release mechanism that releases the support of the fire extinguishing sheet by the support member in response to a fire detection signal from the fire detector, thereby allowing the entire series of fire extinguishing sheets to fall onto the collected waste.

3. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least the conveyor belt portion is made of fire-resistant material.

4. The fire extinguishing device according to claim 2, characterized in that a drop guide means for guiding the fall of the fire extinguishing sheet based on the ignition detection signal of the fire detector is provided at the end of the conveyor, and a fire extinguishing tank supplied with water or non-combustible gas is provided to receive the falling object from the drop guide means.

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