Fire Suppressant Using Nitrogen Release for Rapid Extinguishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire retardants primarily slow down fire advancement but do not effectively suppress fires, posing risks due to uncontrolled flames and requiring additional measures for extinguishment.
Innovation Solution
A chemical compound comprising Technical Urea, Ammonium Sulphate, and other additives that, upon contact with heat, rapidly emits nitrogen to lower temperature, displace oxygen, and protect combustible materials, effectively suppressing fires by breaking the fire triangle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional fire retardants are used to slow fire advancement, then fire spread is reduced, but fires are not effectively suppressed and require additional extinguishment measures
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant changes the chemical parameters of the fire environment by introducing nitrogen-rich compounds (urea and ammonium sulfate) that decompose to release nitrogen gas, thereby changing the oxygen concentration parameter and suppressing combustion. This single agent simultaneously achieves both slowing fire advancement and suppressing active flames, eliminating the need for multiple firefighting measures.
2Reliability
If fire retardants are applied to protect combustible materials, then material protection is improved, but uncontrolled flames still pose risks
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant employs a composite chemical formulation combining urea (40-70%), ammonium sulfate (10-30%), bentonite (5-20%), and various additives. This composite material provides both protective barrier formation on combustible surfaces and active flame suppression through nitrogen release, simultaneously addressing material protection and uncontrolled flame risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The suppressant converts the harmful effect of heat into a beneficial response by utilizing thermal decomposition of the nitrogen-rich compounds. When exposed to fire heat, the urea and ammonium sulfate decompose endothermically (absorbing heat) and release nitrogen gas, which displaces oxygen and suppresses flames. The harmful thermal energy thus triggers a self-activating suppression mechanism.
3Productivity
If fire suppression agents are used to extinguish fires rapidly, then firefighting time is reduced, but toxicity and environmental harm may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant uses readily biodegradable, non-toxic materials (urea, ammonium sulfate, bentonite) that serve their suppression function and then naturally decompose. These short-living, disposable materials eliminate persistent environmental harm while maintaining rapid firefighting effectiveness. The materials are inexpensive and break down into harmless substances (nitrogen, water, carbon dioxide) after use.
Solution Approach 2:
The suppressant creates a temporary inert atmosphere by releasing nitrogen gas, which displaces oxygen and suppresses combustion. Nitrogen is inert, non-toxic, and naturally present in the atmosphere (78% concentration). This inert environment achieves rapid fire suppression without introducing toxic chemicals, and the nitrogen simply reintegrates into the ambient atmosphere after the fire is extinguished.
Data Source
AI summary
A fire suppressant including technical urea 10-30% (by weight), ammonium sulphate 20-50%, and sodium bentonite 12-26%. The fire suppressant further includes polypropylene glycol (polyglycol), alkyl sulfonic acid, castor oil, guar gum, and/or triethanolamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate. The fire suppressant does not pose any risk to plant or animal life since the product is completely benign and is classified as non-toxic. It does not cause any damage to aquifers or groundwater, and it biodegrades in 30 to 60 days.