Buffer Space Oxygen Reduction for Fire Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen-reducing systems for fire prevention in smaller rooms are inefficient and costly when compared to larger rooms, as they require additional mechanisms or stationary fire extinguishing systems.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an enclosed buffer space with an oxygen-reducing mechanism that introduces room air from the buffer space into the target room, optimizing the volume ratio between the buffer space and target room to maintain a reduced oxygen content, allowing a single mechanism to control or prevent fires in both spaces without the need for additional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single oxygen-reducing mechanism is used for a large room, then the mechanism is dimensioned appropriately for the large space, but the mechanism cannot effectively maintain the required oxygen content in smaller adjoining rooms
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the protected space into two segments: a large buffer space that maintains reduced oxygen content permanently, and smaller target rooms that receive oxygen-reduced air only when needed. This segmentation allows the oxygen-reducing mechanism to be optimized for the large buffer space while still providing effective fire protection for smaller adjoining rooms through controlled air introduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer space acts as an intermediary between the oxygen-reducing mechanism and the target rooms. It stores pre-conditioned air with reduced oxygen content and supplies it to target rooms as needed, enabling a single mechanism to serve multiple room sizes effectively without requiring separate systems for each space.
2Reliability
If additional oxygen-reducing mechanisms or stationary fire extinguishing systems are installed in smaller rooms, then fire protection is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer space serves multiple functions: it acts as a reservoir for oxygen-reduced air, a pressure compensation chamber, and a supply source for multiple target rooms of varying sizes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate oxygen-reducing mechanisms in each smaller room, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive fire protection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the buffer space's stored oxygen-reduced air to automatically protect target rooms without requiring additional active mechanisms in those rooms. The buffer space essentially serves itself and the target rooms through passive air introduction mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate powered oxygen-reducing devices in smaller spaces.
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
This approach simplifies and cost-reduces fire protection for smaller rooms by using the buffer space's lower oxygen air to lower the oxygen content in target rooms to a fire-preventing level, ensuring effective fire control with a single oxygen-reducing mechanism, while maintaining safety and reducing occupational risks.
Implementation Method 1
an oxygen-reducing mechanism allocated to the buffer space for setting and maintaining a reduced oxygen content in the spatial atmosphere of the buffer space
Implementation Method 2
an enclosed buffer space which is fluidly connectable or connected to the target room for the as-needed introduction of at least a portion of air from the buffer space into the target room
Data Source
AI summary
A system for reducing oxygen in a target room, particularly for the purpose of controlling or preventing fire, wherein the system comprises an enclosed buffer space which is fluidly connectable or connected to the target room for the as-needed introduction of at least a portion of the room air of the buffer space into the target room. The system moreover comprises an oxygen-reducing mechanism allocated to the buffer space for setting and maintaining a reduced oxygen content in the spatial atmosphere of the buffer space compared to the normal earth atmosphere such that the oxygen content in the spatial atmosphere of the buffer space is lower than the oxygen content in the spatial atmosphere of the target room. The system moreover comprises a mechanism for introducing room air from the buffer space into the target room as needed.