Atomized Water System for Road Tunnel Fire Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current firefighting water systems in lengthy closed structures, such as road tunnels, face limitations in extinguishing and mitigation efficacy, installation simplicity, adaptability to pre-existing structures, operational complexity, and high costs, particularly in ensuring uniform flow rates and efficient water distribution.
Innovation Solution
A high-pressure atomized water system with micro-droplet dispensing nozzles (10µm-80µm) and a modular, electronically controlled piping network that uses volumetric pumps and PLC-controlled sensors for automatic activation, allowing selective water dispensing and efficient fire suppression by targeting the fire triangle (oxygen, heat, fuel) with minimal water consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional fixed network of hydrants in a closed loop is used, then uniform flow rates can be ensured between different hydrants, but the system complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel is divided into multiple sections with hydrants positioned at strategic intervals. Each hydrant serves a specific zone, allowing independent operation and maintenance. This segmentation simplifies the overall system while maintaining uniform flow rates through standardized hydrant designs and positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses variable flow rate hydrants that can adjust their discharge parameters based on fire location and severity. By changing operational parameters rather than designing a complex fixed-flow network, the system achieves uniform effectiveness across different positions without increasing structural complexity.
2Reliability
If deluge type mitigation systems with distributed monitors are used, then extinguishing efficacy is improved, but water consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-positions hydrants and water supply infrastructure throughout the tunnel during construction. Detection sensors are pre-installed along the tunnel length. When a fire is detected, the system activates only the hydrants in the affected zone, having already prepared the water supply pathway. This preliminary preparation enables rapid response with targeted water application, improving efficacy while controlling consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than activating the entire deluge system, the invention applies water partially - only to the specific section where fire is detected. This partial action approach maintains high extinguishing efficacy at the fire location while dramatically reducing overall water consumption compared to full-system activation.
3Measurement precision
If automatic temperature detection systems are implemented, then fire location identification is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature detection sensors are installed at regular intervals along the tunnel and continuously monitor thermal conditions. When a sensor detects abnormal temperature rise, it sends a signal to the control system, which identifies the fire location based on the sensor's position. This feedback mechanism provides precise fire location identification through a relatively simple sensor-network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature detection system operates autonomously, with sensors automatically detecting thermal anomalies and triggering the appropriate hydrant activation without requiring manual intervention or complex centralized control. Each sensor section independently monitors its zone and can autonomously activate local hydrants, simplifying the overall control architecture.
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 system achieves enhanced extinguishing and mitigation efficacy with reduced water usage, simplicity in installation and operation, and lower costs by creating a 'water barrier' that blocks radiant heat and smoke dispersion, effectively addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
A high-pressure atomized water system with micro-droplet dispensing nozzles (10µm-80µm)
Implementation Method 2
creating a 'water barrier' that blocks radiant heat and smoke dispersion
Implementation Method 3
volumetric pumps and PLC-controlled sensors for automatic activation
Implementation Method 4
high-pressure atomized water system with micro-droplet dispensing nozzles (10µm-80µm)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A firefighting water system (1) for closed structures having a lengthy extension, in particular road tunnels, which comprises: - a system of pipes (17) which supplies a plurality of water dispensing nozzles (15), the nozzles (15) being configured to dispense the water as a consequence of the detection of a fire in input to an electronic control system (50); - a pressurization assembly, comprising a series of volumetric pumps (21), each one provided with a respective motor (41) and configured to produce in the water pumped inside the pipes a pressure adapted to generate an atomization; - an electric filling pump (12) for filling the pipes with water (17); - shutoff valves (13), which can be activated both electronically and manually and are adapted to cut off the circulation of water in sectors of the pipes (17); wherein the nozzles (15) are atomizer nozzles which are configured to dispense the water that arrives from the pipes (17), creating micro-droplets with a diameter comprised between 10 µm and 80 µm when the water has a pressure adapted to generate atomization.