Fire Suppressant Mixture Low Boiling Point Cold Temperature Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft fire suppression systems face challenges in cold temperatures due to the high boiling points of existing fire suppressants like FK-5-1-12 and CF3I, which hinder their ability to freely vaporize and distribute effectively, and there is a need for environmentally friendly alternatives to Halon 1301.
Innovation Solution
A fire suppressant mixture is created by combining an organic fire suppressant with another organic compound having a lower boiling point, such as FK-5-1-12 with carbon dioxide, to lower the boiling point of the mixture and improve vaporization characteristics, while using an inert gas like nitrogen for pressurization to maintain effective distribution at low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Halon 1301 is used as fire suppressant, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but ozone depletion potential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the harmful Halon 1301 with alternative compounds (FK-5-1-12, CF3I) that have zero or negligible ozone depletion potential while maintaining fire suppression effectiveness. This converts the harmful environmental impact into a beneficial environmentally-friendly solution that meets both fire suppression requirements and environmental protection goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the fire suppressant by changing from Halon 1301 to compounds with different boiling points and vapor pressures. The alternative compounds are selected to have appropriate volatility characteristics that enable effective fire suppression while being environmentally benign, thus changing the chemical composition parameters to achieve both effectiveness and environmental safety.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If existing fire suppressants like FK-5-1-12 and CF3I are used, then environmental friendliness is improved, but vaporization capability at low temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite fire suppressant system by combining FK-5-1-12 and CF3I in specific proportions. This composite formulation leverages the complementary properties of both compounds: FK-5-1-12 provides environmental safety with zero ODP, while CF3I contributes to vaporization capability at low temperatures. The synergistic combination achieves both environmental friendliness and effective low-temperature performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration ratios of FK-5-1-12 and CF3I to achieve desired physical parameters. By adjusting the composition parameters, the mixture attains appropriate vapor pressure and boiling point characteristics that enable effective vaporization at low temperatures while maintaining zero ozone depletion potential. The parameter optimization balances environmental requirements with thermal performance.
3Power
If nitrogen pressure is added to Halon 1301 system, then discharge energy at low temperatures is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for separate nitrogen pressurization systems by using the inherent vapor pressure of the FK-5-1-12 and CF3I mixture. The alternative fire suppressant compounds naturally generate sufficient discharge energy through their vaporization characteristics, removing the requirement for additional pressurizing gas systems and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire suppressant mixture serves its own pressurization needs through the vapor pressure generated by FK-5-1-12 and CF3I during vaporization. The system is self-sufficient, generating the necessary discharge energy from the phase change of the fire suppressant compounds themselves, without requiring external nitrogen pressure systems. This self-service mechanism reduces system complexity while maintaining effective discharge performance.
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 resulting mixture exhibits improved fire suppression effectiveness and airborne weight efficiency, with reduced ozone depletion potential and global warming potential, effectively addressing the limitations of existing systems in cold environments.
Implementation Method 1
an organic fire suppressant compound and an organic compound are combined such that a boiling point of the mixture is lower than the boiling point of the organic fire suppressant
Implementation Method 2
Aircraft fire suppression systems are usually designed based on the weight of the agent required to achieve a specific minimum agent concentration in the fire zone immediately after the bottle discharges
Implementation Method 3
Nitrogen dissolved in the Halon solution also improves vaporization and breakup of liquid drops of Halon 1301 at low temperature similar to a 'popcorn' effect
Data Source
AI summary
A fire suppressant mixture comprising: an organic or supplemental organic fire suppressant compound having a boiling point; and an organic compound with a boiling point lower than the boiling point of the organic fire suppressant compound, wherein the organic fire suppressant compound and the organic compound are combined such that a boiling point of the mixture is lower than the boiling point of the organic fire suppressant. In some embodiments, the organic fire suppressant compound is FK 5-1-12 and the organic compound is carbon dioxide. In other embodiments, the mixture is supplemented with an additional organic compound CF3I and an inorganic pressurizing gas, such as nitrogen.