Ammonium Phosphate Fire Retardant Concentrates With Lower Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid fire retardant compositions face challenges in minimizing corrosion to aircraft materials and toxicity to aquatic organisms while maintaining effective fire retardant properties, as they often exceed the corrosion limits set by the USDA Forest Service Specification and contain high sulfate content, which affects their potency and efficacy.
Innovation Solution
The development of liquid fire retardant concentrate compositions comprising a mixture of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP) with a suspending agent like micronized clay, which are sulfate-free and have a low water content, enhancing solubility and stability, thereby reducing corrosion and toxicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional liquid fire retardant compositions are used, then fire retardant effectiveness is achieved, but corrosion rates exceed the USDA Forest Service Specification limits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by formulating a liquid concentrate comprising ammonium polyphosphate (APP) combined with ammonium sulfate and ammonium phosphate in specific ratios, adjusting pH to a neutral or slightly acidic range (pH 4-7), and controlling sulfate content to less than 5% by weight. These parameter modifications enable the composition to meet corrosion specification limits while maintaining fire retardant effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite liquid concentrate formulation combining multiple ammonium phosphate compounds (APP, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium phosphate) in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the composition to achieve both fire retardancy and corrosion resistance by leveraging the complementary properties of each component while maintaining overall effectiveness.
2Strength
If fire retardant compositions with high sulfate content are used, then fire retardant strength is increased, but toxicity to aquatic organisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the sulfate content parameter by formulating the liquid concentrate with sulfate levels kept below 5% by weight, while maintaining effective fire retardant strength through optimized ratios of ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium phosphate. This parameter control reduces toxicity to aquatic organisms while preserving fire control effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If liquid fire retardant concentrate is used to reduce corrosion, then corrosion rates are reduced, but the composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the composition formulation by establishing specific parameter ranges: ammonium polyphosphate as the primary component with ammonium sulfate and ammonium phosphate in controlled ratios, pH adjusted to 4-7, and sulfate content limited to less than 5%. These parameter specifications provide clear manufacturing guidelines while achieving corrosion resistance.
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 compositions provide higher fire retardant strength per unit volume, lower corrosion rates, and reduced toxicity, meeting the USDA Forest Service Specification's corrosion limits and offering better visibility for firefighting personnel, thus requiring less material for effective fire control.
Implementation Method 1
The ammonium phosphate fire retardant(s) is typically suspended and/or dissolved in a liquid, typically with the fire retardant(s) incorporated into the composition in powder, or granular form
Implementation Method 2
liquid fire retardant concentrate compositions comprising one or more powdered fire retardants dispersed throughout an aqueous medium
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are liquid fire retardant concentrate compositions comprising mixtures of ammonium phosphate fire retardants. Specifically, liquid fire retardant concentrate compositions comprising one or more of monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) are described herein. The ammonium phosphate fire retardant(s) is typically suspended and/or dissolved in a liquid, typically with the fire retardant(s) incorporated into the composition in powder, or granular form. In certain aspects of the present invention, the compositions provided may exhibit one or more advantages as compared to current liquid concentrate fire retardants, including enhanced strength (i.e., a higher proportion of fire retardant component per unit volume), reduced toxicity, and/or reduced corrosion.