Fire Extinguishing Liquid for Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire extinguishing liquids are ineffective against lithium-ion battery fires, which pose a significant hazard due to their flammability and potential for reignition, and they also struggle in cold temperatures where the liquid can freeze and lose effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A fire extinguishing liquid comprising a combination of phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, or polyphosphate salts, carbonate or hydrogen carbonate salts, sulphate salts, and an intumescent component, which expands to create a barrier that traps the extinguishing agents and prevents oxygen from reaching the fire, effectively suppressing lithium-ion battery fires even at extreme temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid fire extinguishing composition is used, then it can effectively suppress and extinguish fires, but it may freeze in cold temperatures and lose effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the fire extinguishing liquid by incorporating specific ratios of phosphate salts, carbonate salts, sulphate salts, and intumescent components. This compositional parameter change allows the liquid to maintain its fire suppressant properties while lowering its freezing point to operate effectively in cold temperatures down to -40°C.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite fire extinguishing composition by combining multiple salt types (phosphate, carbonate, sulphate) with intumescent materials. This composite approach synergistically enhances both the fire extinguishing effectiveness and the cold-temperature performance, resolving the contradiction between reliability and temperature sensitivity.
2Reliability
If a powdered fire suppression agent is discharged, then it can extinguish fires, but it reduces visibility and causes breathing difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from solid powder discharge to liquid hydraulic discharge. The liquid composition is delivered through pressurized nozzles creating a directed stream or spray, replacing the pneumatic powder dispersion method. This hydraulic approach eliminates airborne particulates that cause visibility reduction and breathing difficulties while maintaining fire suppression effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the suppressant from solid powder to liquid form. This parameter change fundamentally alters the discharge characteristics, eliminating the harmful effects of airborne particles while preserving the fire suppression capability through the liquid's cooling and suffocating actions.
3Reliability
If powder is directed towards the fire, then it can suppress the fire, but the surrounding area becomes covered in powder causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic delivery of the fire suppressant as a liquid through controlled nozzles, creating a precise directed stream. This replaces the pneumatic powder dispersion that causes widespread scattering. The liquid form allows for more accurate application directly to the fire source, minimizing coverage of surrounding areas and preventing material damage.
4Ease of operation
If the fire extinguishing liquid is stored in pressurized containers, then it can be delivered effectively, but the liquid may freeze and cause safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the compositional parameters of the fire extinguishing liquid to include freeze-resistant formulations with specific salt and intumescent component ratios. This parameter change lowers the freezing point of the liquid to below -40°C, allowing safe storage and effective operation in cold environments without the safety risks associated with freezing in pressurized containers.
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 proposed fire extinguishing liquid demonstrates enhanced effectiveness in quickly and safely extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires, while also being environmentally friendly and capable of operating in cold temperatures without freezing.
Implementation Method 1
an intumescent component, which expands to create a barrier that traps the extinguishing agents and prevents oxygen from reaching the fire
Implementation Method 2
The proposed fire extinguishing liquid demonstrates enhanced effectiveness in quickly and safely extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires
Data Source
AI summary
A fire extinguishing liquid is described comprising (a) one or more of a phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate or polyphosphate salt; (b) a carbonate or hydrogen carbonate salt; (c) a sulphate salt; and (d) an intumescent component. Methods of manufacturing the fire extinguishing liquid and fire extinguishers containing the liquid are also described. The liquid is useful for extinguishing fires, in particular lithium-ion battery fires.