Condensed Aerosol Panels for Li-Ion Fire Reaction Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire extinguishing technologies, particularly for Li-ion battery fires, face challenges in effectively extinguishing Class A, B, C, and D fires due to the rapid and unpredictable nature of these fires, and traditional agents like water and dry chemicals are inadequate, posing safety risks and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Aerosol fire suppression systems using condensed aerosol agents, such as panels or coatings, which generate fine particulates to interrupt the chemical reaction of fires, providing rapid extinguishment by forming a stable compound with fire radicals, reducing the need for large amounts of agent and improving distribution in obstructed spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fire extinguishing agents (water, dry chemicals) are used on Li-ion battery fires, then the fire can be suppressed, but the extinguishing effectiveness is inadequate and safety risks increase due to the rapid and unpredictable nature of these fires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fire extinguishing agent by using condensed aerosol with specific particle size distributions (D10<5μm, D50<10μm, D90<20μm) and specific composition ratios (fuel 30-70%, oxidizer 30-70%). This creates an agent that reacts more effectively with fire radicals at the specific conditions of battery fires, improving reliability while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite aerosol material comprising multiple components (fuel, oxidizer, and various additives like metal powders, salts, and organic compounds) working together. This composite structure allows the agent to simultaneously address multiple fire mechanisms (thermal, chemical, and physical) present in battery fires, enhancing extinguishing effectiveness and safety.
2Reliability
If large amounts of fire extinguishing agent are used to ensure adequate suppression, then fire coverage is improved, but the quantity of agent required increases and distribution in obstructed spaces becomes less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating highly concentrated aerosol particles with specific size distributions that can penetrate and distribute effectively in obstructed spaces. The fine particle size (especially D10<5μm) allows the agent to reach localized fire zones within battery packs and obstructed areas, achieving comprehensive coverage with smaller total quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from bulk agent delivery to aerosol particle delivery, adding the dimension of particle size control. This allows the agent to distribute through three-dimensional obstructed spaces more effectively, reaching fire zones that traditional agents cannot access, thereby improving coverage while reducing total agent quantity.
3Productivity
If traditional fire agents are applied to achieve adequate distribution, then coverage is provided, but the agents fail to effectively interrupt chemical reactions in rapid battery fires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cooling and smothering mechanisms with chemical reaction interruption mechanisms. The aerosol agent contains components that directly react with fire radicals (H•, OH•, O•) to terminate the chain reaction, providing much faster extinguishment action appropriate for rapid battery fires where mechanical methods are too slow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extinguishing agent by incorporating specific metal powders (aluminum, magnesium), salts (potassium nitrate, ammonium phosphate), and organic compounds that are optimized to react with fire radicals. This chemical parameter optimization enables rapid interruption of combustion reactions, improving both productivity and reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The aerosol fire suppression systems efficiently extinguish fires by rapidly interrupting chemical reactions, requiring less agent and improving distribution, making them suitable for challenging fire scenarios like Li-ion battery fires.
Implementation Method 1
The condensed aerosol material, when ignited, generates a fine particulate/gaseous agent that extinguishes fire
Implementation Method 2
Panels, sheets, different shapes, and coatings of solid or flexible condensed aerosol fire extinguishing materials can be ignited by fire or heat in order to discharge a fine particulate/gaseous agent that extinguishes fire
Data Source
AI summary
Fire protection and suppression apparatus, materials, systems, and methods of use thereof are disclosed. In fire extinguishing applications, aerosol extinguishing agent in sheets, panels or other forms can be placed in a variety of implementations, including one or more of, but not limited to, inside an enclosure that contains a fire hazard, in an interior of a fire hazard itself, incorporated into a structure of a fire hazard. Once initiated, the aerosol extinguishing material will burn to create and directly disperse the aerosol particulate that can extinguish the fire. Initiation of the aerosol agent can be by flames or heat from an unwanted fire. Alternative methods of initiation include electric initiators that are signaled by automatic fire detection systems, electric manual methods, or mechanical/thermal initiators.