Fire-Extinguishing Mixture Composition for Low-Odor Class K Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing throwable fire extinguishers have limitations such as small volume, urine odor due to ammonium radicals, limited fire extinguishing capability, and inability to handle larger fires, particularly Class K fires, with conventional compositions causing environmental issues and unpleasant odors during transport and storage.
Innovation Solution
A fire-extinguishing mixture comprising 40-55% potassium carbonate, 5-10% sodium bicarbonate, 10-15% ammonium bicarbonate, 5-10% citric acid, 2-7% sodium lauryl sulfate, 2-7% aqueous film forming foam, and balance water, producing a 710 mL volume, which reduces ammonium radicals and enhances extinguishing ability, including Class K fires, while minimizing odor and increasing fire suppression capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional fire extinguishing mixtures with multiple ammonium radicals are used, then fire extinguishing capability is achieved, but urine odor is generated during transport and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes ammonium sulfate from the fire extinguishing mixture formulation, extracting the harmful ammonium radical source while maintaining fire extinguishing capability through the remaining components (potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, and citric acid). This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the odor-generating substance while preserving the essential fire suppression function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the fire extinguishing mixture by adjusting the proportions of potassium carbonate (40-55%), sodium bicarbonate (5-10%), ammonium bicarbonate (10-15%), and citric acid (5-10%). This parameter optimization reduces ammonium radical content to minimize urine odor while maintaining adequate fire extinguishing capability across multiple fire classes.
2Ease of operation
If small volume fire extinguishers (500-650 mL) are used, then portability is improved, but extinguishment capability for larger fires is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the volume parameter of the fire extinguisher from the conventional 500-650 mL to 710 mL, providing sufficient extinguishing agent quantity for larger fires while maintaining the throwable design for portability. The extended handle and optimized bottle dimensions achieve this volume increase without compromising ease of throwing and operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Class K fire extinguishing capability is added, then versatility is improved, but mixture composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal fire extinguishing mixture that simultaneously addresses multiple fire classes (A, B, C, and K) using a unified formulation. The combination of potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, and citric acid provides multi-functional capability: potassium carbonate for Class K oil/fire suppression, bicarbonates for Class B and C fires, and citric acid for Class A fires, eliminating the need for separate specialized extinguishers.
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 improved mixture effectively extinguishes Class A, B, C, and K fires with reduced odor and increased volume, providing enhanced user experience and fire suppression capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The fire-extinguishing mixture can extinguish fires of various classes by throwing directly the fire extinguisher containing fire-extinguishing mixture into the fire
Implementation Method 2
The composition of a fire extinguisher used in the fire extinguisher comprises various agents
Implementation Method 3
2 to 7% by weight of aqueous film forming foam
Data Source
AI summary
The utility solution relates to an improved fire-extinguishing mixture, comprising the components including potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, citric acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, aqueous film forming foam and water in amounts as described used herein. The utility solution helps to alleviate the urine odor of the fire-extinguishing mixture, increase the extinguishing ability and the re-ignition prevention ability of the fire-extinguishing mixture, and specifically make the fire-extinguishing mixture to be able to extinguish the Class K (Class F) fires. In addition, the utility solution further relates to a fire extinguisher containing the said fire-extinguishing mixture and a method of producing the fire-extinguishing mixture.