Hybrid Fire Simulator with After-Burner Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fire simulators, whether gas-fired or wood-fired, fail to realistically mimic a solid substances fire, with limitations in controllability and environmental impact, and do not accurately replicate heat emission, smoke production, and extinguishing behavior.

Innovation Solution

A fire simulator comprising a basket for combustible solid substances with a burner underneath for controlled ignition, and an integrated fire extinguishing system for enhanced control and safety, along with a training unit that includes an after-burner for purifying exhaust gases to minimize environmental impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a gas-fired fire simulator is used, then controllability and clean combustion are improved, but the ability to realistically simulate solid substances fire deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecontrollabilityVSAvoidrealistic simulation of solid substances fire

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a gas burner system with a solid fuel basket to create a hybrid fire simulator. The gas burner provides controllable ignition and heat source, while the basket accommodates solid fuels (wood, plastic, metal) to generate realistic fire behavior, smoke, and combustion characteristics. This merging allows the system to achieve both controllability and realistic solid substances fire simulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a wood-fired fire simulator is used, then realistic simulation of solid substances fire is improved, but controllability and environmental impact deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverealistic simulation of solid substances fireVSAvoidcontrollability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gas burner acts as an intermediary device that controls the ignition and heating process of solid fuels in the basket. By using gas as an intermediate fuel source, the system achieves precise control over the fire initiation and combustion process, while the solid fuels in the basket provide the realistic fire behavior. This intermediary approach resolves the controllability issue while maintaining realistic simulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a wood-fired fire simulator is used, then realistic simulation of solid substances fire is improved, but environmental burden and smoke production increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverealistic simulation of solid substances fireVSAvoidsmoke production and environmental burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a gas burner to ignite solid fuels in a controlled manner, converting the potentially harmful uncontrolled burning into a controlled combustion process. The gas burner provides a clean ignition source that reduces initial smoke production, while the basket design with proper airflow control optimizes combustion efficiency. This approach converts the harmful aspect of solid fuel burning into a more controlled and environmentally friendly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 provides a highly controllable and realistic simulation of a solid substances fire, improving training effectiveness while reducing environmental burden through efficient flue gas purification.

Implementation Method 1

a burner which is positioned underneath the basket... By applying the fire simulator according to the invention, it is possible to burn wood or another suitable solid substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

the fire extinguishing system is part of a frame of the basket, which, in such a case, may have a number of hollow tubes which are provided with openings along their length

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through hollow structures:

Implementation Method 3

an after-burner for purifying exhausted flue gases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentEP1905486B1Fire simulator for use during trainings within the framework of fire fighting

Publication Date: 2013.05.01 TCD CONSULTANTS

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AI summary

A fire simulator (20) for use during trainings within the framework of fire fighting comprises an assembly of a basket (30) for accommodating a combustible solid substance and a burner (40) positioned underneath the basket (30). The burner (40) serves for lighting the solid substance in the basket (30), and possibly dry this first. By applying the fire simulator (20), a solid substances fire can be imitated in a realistic way. The safety in the application of the fire simulator (20) is extra guaranteed because the basket (30) has an integrated fire extinguishing system (50). In order to enhance the training effect of an application of the fire simulator (20), partitions (38) are placed in the basket (30), which complicate extinguishing of a fire in the basket (30).