Fire Sleeve with Phase-Change Material for Pipe Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solutions for preventing fire spread through partition walls, such as using mineral wool or plaster sleeves around crossing elements, are ineffective due to installation difficulties, high costs, and limited fireproof duration, especially when dealing with heat-conductive elements like iron-based pipelines.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising a fireproof sleeve with a high specific heat capacity substance, such as water or wax, housed in a metal, plastic, or wood casing, which is coaxial with the crossing element, and filled with a hydraulic binder or cement mortar, providing a durable and cost-effective fire barrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fireproof materials (mineral wool or plaster) are used to surround crossing elements, then fire protection is provided, but installation difficulty increases and fireproof duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter from using conventional fireproof materials (mineral wool, plaster) to using water or other substances with high specific heat capacity. This parameter change enables the sleeve to achieve superior fire protection effectiveness (delaying fire spread by up to 4 hours) while simplifying installation, as the sleeve can be made from simple, inexpensive materials rather than complex fireproofing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of water (liquid to vapor) at high temperatures. When exposed to fire, the water in the sleeve absorbs heat and undergoes phase transition, effectively dissipating thermal energy and delaying fire spread. This natural phase transition mechanism provides reliable fire protection without requiring complex installation procedures.
2Reliability
If conventional fireproof materials are used, then fire protection is achieved, but the cost of materials and installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive conventional fireproof materials (mineral wool, plaster) with inexpensive substances such as water or other high specific heat capacity fluids. The sleeve itself can be made from simple, low-cost materials like plastic or metal tubing. This substitution dramatically reduces manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining or improving fire protection effectiveness through the thermal mass and phase transition properties of the contained substance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from expensive fireproof materials to inexpensive substances with high specific heat capacity. This parameter change achieves the dual benefit of reducing costs and improving fire protection performance, as the inexpensive substances can absorb and dissipate more thermal energy per unit volume than conventional fireproof materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If crossing elements are used to traverse partition walls, then connectivity is provided, but heat conduction increases fire spread risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sleeve as an intermediary element surrounding the crossing element (pipe, conduit, etc.). This sleeve acts as a thermal barrier and heat sink, interrupting the direct heat conduction path from the fire-exposed side to the protected side of the partition wall. The sleeve material and contained substance (water) absorb and dissipate heat, preventing it from rapidly conducting through the crossing element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite fire protection system consisting of the crossing element surrounded by the sleeve and filled with high specific heat capacity substance. This composite structure combines the functionality of the crossing element (maintaining connectivity) with the thermal management properties of the sleeve and contained substance, effectively reducing heat conduction while preserving adaptability.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If fireproof duration of four hours is achieved, then fire spread is effectively delayed, but conventional solutions become more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor at 100°C as a natural fire protection mechanism. As fire heats the sleeve, the water absorbs substantial thermal energy during phase transition, effectively delaying fire spread for extended periods (up to 4 hours). This natural phase transition process provides long-duration fire protection without requiring complex active systems, controls, or expensive specialized materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach to achieving long fireproof duration from using thick layers of conventional fireproof materials to using a sleeve containing a large volume of high specific heat capacity substance. This parameter change enables extended fire protection duration with a simpler, more compact system design, as the thermal mass and phase transition of the contained substance provide prolonged thermal buffering.
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
Effectively delays fire spread by dissipating heat and maintaining fire resistance for up to four hours, while being simple and economical to install, using inexpensive materials.
Implementation Method 1
The sleeve comprises a substance having a specific heat capacity of at least 1000 kJ/(m³×K), such as water, an oil or a wax
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly (10) comprising a penetrating element (18), extending substantially along a longitudinal direction (L) and intended to penetrate a separating wall (1), the assembly comprising: - at least one enclosure (22) of rigid material, disposed at least temporarily around the penetrating element, the penetrating element extending through an internal volume (28) defined by the enclosure, the enclosure having a longitudinal extension (L1) less than the longitudinal extension (L0) of the penetrating element, and - at least one sleeve (24) intended to act as a firestop, the sleeve extending between an external surface (32) of the penetrating element and an internal surface (26) of the enclosure. Corresponding method.