Fire-Resistant Coating Using Porous Support for Adhesive Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire-resistant coatings for industrial installations, particularly in nuclear power plants, face challenges in achieving enhanced performance while maintaining compactness and preventing damage to fibrous layers due to the limitations of glue thickness, flow, and distribution, which affects the spatial distribution and effectiveness of fire protection.

Innovation Solution

A fire protection coating comprising superimposed fibrous layers with refractory glue containing active temperature-releasing elements and a vapor-permeable support impregnated with refractory glue, which retains the glue during application and ensures efficient vapor diffusion, allowing for increased density and reduced thickness of the coating without compromising performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the amount of adhesive is increased to extend the 100°C plateau duration, then the fire protection performance is improved, but the adhesive becomes too thick and difficult to apply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection performanceVSAvoidadhesive applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A porous support layer is introduced within the adhesive layer to provide structural framework and control adhesive distribution. This porous structure allows the adhesive to be retained in appropriate quantities without becoming excessively thick, maintaining both fire protection performance and ease of application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive layer is combined with a porous support layer to create a composite structure. This composite material integrates the fire protection function of the adhesive with the structural and distribution control function of the porous support, resolving the contradiction between adhesive quantity and applicability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the adhesive layer is made thicker to increase fire protection, then the duration of the 100°C plateau is extended, but the adhesive runs during application

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection performanceVSAvoidadhesive distribution stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The porous support layer acts as a skeleton that holds the adhesive in place, preventing it from running during application. The porous structure provides capillary channels that control adhesive flow and ensure stable distribution throughout the layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The porous support layer serves as an intermediary between the adhesive and the fibrous layers. It mediates the adhesive distribution, ensuring uniform spread without running, while still allowing the adhesive to perform its fire protection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If more adhesive is used to improve fire protection, then the 100°C plateau duration increases, but the overall thickness of the coating increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protection performanceVSAvoidcoating thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The porous support layer provides a three-dimensional framework that allows adhesive to be distributed more efficiently within a reduced thickness. The porous structure increases the effective surface area for heat absorption without proportionally increasing the overall coating thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The introduction of the porous support layer changes the physical parameters of the adhesive system, allowing for higher adhesive concentration in a thinner layer. This parameter change enables improved fire protection performance without increasing coating thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If the adhesive is densified to improve fire protection, then the fire resistance is enhanced, but the adhesive becomes too thick and difficult to apply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidapplication difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The porous support layer provides a pre-formed structure that guides adhesive application. This structure allows the adhesive to be applied in a controlled manner without requiring excessive thickness, maintaining fire resistance while improving ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The porous support layer acts as an intermediary that facilitates adhesive application. It provides a surface for adhesive adhesion and a structure for controlled distribution, making the manufacturing process easier while maintaining fire resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enables a more compact and effective fire-resistant coating with improved glue distribution and penetration into fibrous layers, enhancing the delay of heat propagation and maintaining performance, with reduced size and weight, suitable for high-safety industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

The water absorbs heat as it vaporizes, resulting in a plateau at 100°C in the temperature rise curve of the cold side over time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

The water absorbs heat as it vaporizes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLatent heat: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 3

it does not disrupt the diffusion of vaporized water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP2694164B1Protective fire-resistant coating and application method
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 SOLETANCHE FREYSSINET SAS
  • EP2694164B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The protective fire-resistant coating comprises a plurality of stacked fibrous layers (1, 2) and a layer of refractory glue (4) placed between two of the fibrous layers. The glue comprises active elements which can release water during an increase in temperature. In at least one layer of refractory glue, a vapour-permeable substrate (5) that is impregnated with the refractory glue extends parallel to the fibrous layers.