Liquid Fire Extinguishing Agent Delivery System with Dissolved Propellant Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Total-flooding fire-extinguishing systems face limitations in maximum delivery length due to pressure reduction in pre-pressurized storage containers, requiring additional propellant gas which is limited by container working pressure, and existing methods for adding propellant gas to unpressurized containers are inefficient for maintaining high pressure during discharge.
Innovation Solution
A system where a liquid fire extinguishing agent is stored at atmospheric pressure or vapor pressure, with a supply of pressurizing gas injected into the agent tank to increase pressure and promote dissolution, allowing efficient delivery through a discharge valve and piping network, enabling high-pressure delivery and longer piping system lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If pre-pressurized storage containers are used to deliver fire extinguishing agent, then the agent can be delivered through the piping system, but the pressure reduces during discharge limiting the maximum delivery length
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-charges the agent container with propellant gas before discharge begins. This preliminary action ensures that the container starts with sufficient pressure to maintain high pressure throughout the discharge process, resolving the contradiction between delivery length and pressure maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically by initially charging the container at high pressure with propellant gas, then maintaining that pressure during discharge. This parameter change allows the system to overcome the natural pressure reduction that would otherwise limit delivery length.
2Stress or pressure
If additional propellant gas is added to increase pressure for longer pipe systems, then the pressure energy increases, but the container working pressure limit is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial propellant gas charging initially, then adds additional propellant gas during discharge operation. This partial initial charging followed by supplemental charging allows the system to achieve high pressure energy without exceeding container limits during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts propellant gas pressure by initially charging at moderate levels, then adding additional propellant gas during discharge. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt pressure levels to operational needs while respecting container pressure limits.
3Ease of operation
If propellant gas is added to the ullage space of an unpressurized container, then the agent can be delivered, but the dissolved propellant in liquid phase reduces the effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-charges the container with propellant gas before discharge, creating a saturated or near-saturated condition. This preliminary saturation minimizes additional dissolution during discharge, reducing the amount of propellant lost to the liquid phase while maintaining effective delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature and pressure parameters to control propellant gas solubility in the liquid agent. By optimizing these parameters, the system minimizes unwanted dissolution of propellant into the liquid phase while maintaining effective discharge pressure.
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 solution maintains high pressure during agent discharge, enhances atomization and evaporation, and allows for longer piping network lengths while avoiding hazardous transport of pre-pressurized containers, ensuring effective fire extinguishing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a supply of pressurizing gas (16) operatively connected to inject pressurizing gas (16) into the volume of liquid agent (14)... At least a portion of the pressurizing gas (16) dissolves into the liquid fire extinguishing agent (14)
Implementation Method 2
enhances atomization and evaporation
Implementation Method 3
enhances atomization and evaporation
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivery of a fire extinguishing agent includes an agent tank at least partially filled with a volume of liquid fire extinguishing agent and a supply of pressurizing gas operatively connected to inject pressurizing gas into the volume of liquid agent. A discharge valve is configured to open when the agent tank reaches a desired pressure due to the injection of pressurizing gas therein thereby delivering a flow including fire extinguishing agent with associated dissolved pressurizing gas from the agent tank. The flow of fire extinguishing agent and associated dissolved pressurizing gas is discharged from the agent tank.