Fire-Suppressing Hydrogel Using Consumer-Grade Thickeners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current firefighting agents, particularly water-based solutions, face limitations such as inefficiency in penetrating surfaces, high water usage, and environmental impact due to non-toxic and biodegradable additives, necessitating the development of naturally sourced, non-toxic, and biodegradable alternatives for effective fire suppression.
Innovation Solution
A water-enhancing, fire-suppressing hydrogel composition comprising consumer-grade components, including thickening agents like xanthan gum and cornstarch, suspending agents like lecithin, and a liquid medium like canola oil, which forms a concentrate that can be mixed with water to create a hydrogel with high viscosity and surface adhesion properties, effectively suppressing fires by coating and adhering to surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-based firefighting agents are used, then fire suppression capability is improved, but water runoff and evaporation increase, reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of water by adding hydrogel-forming polymers and thickening agents, transforming it from a free-flowing liquid into a viscous gel that adheres to surfaces. This parameter change prevents runoff and evaporation while maintaining fire suppression capability through the gel's water retention and cooling properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite firefighting agent by combining water with hydrogel-forming polymers, thickening agents, and adhesion promoters. This composite material integrates the cooling effect of water with the surface-adhering properties of polymers, achieving both effective fire suppression and reduced water loss.
2Temperature
If conventional water spraying is used, then fire cooling is achieved, but surface adhesion is insufficient, allowing quick evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces hydrogel-forming polymers and adhesion promoters as intermediary substances between water and the target surface. These intermediaries enable water to adhere to vertical and overhead surfaces, extending the duration of cooling action while preventing quick evaporation through the gel matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
By modifying water's viscosity and adhesion properties through polymer additives, the invention changes its physical parameters to enable prolonged surface retention. The gel formulation maintains water's heat-absorbing capability while extending its duration of action on fire-affected surfaces.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-toxic, biodegradable additives are used, then environmental safety is improved, but firefighting effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves both environmental safety and firefighting effectiveness by carefully selecting biodegradable polymers and natural ingredients that maintain functional performance. Through parameter optimization of polymer concentration, molecular weight, and formulation composition, the gel achieves sufficient viscosity, adhesion, and fire suppression capability while using only non-toxic, environmentally benign components.
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 hydrogel formulation minimizes water runoff and evaporation, providing prolonged surface adhesion and fire suppression, reducing environmental impact while maintaining non-toxicity and biodegradability, thus enhancing firefighting efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
water's ability to absorb heat via its high heat capacity (4.186 J/g° C.) and heat of vaporization (40.68 kJ/mol)
Implementation Method 2
water's ability to absorb heat via its high heat capacity (4.186 J/g° C.)
Implementation Method 3
ability to physically displace air surrounding a fire, and deprive it of oxygen
Implementation Method 4
at least one thickening agent
Implementation Method 5
providing prolonged surface adhesion and fire suppression
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides water-enhancing, fire-suppressing hydrogels that are formulated to minimize toxicity and negative environmental impact. The present application provides a composition comprising: (i) at least one thickening agent; (ii) at least one liquid medium; and, optionally, (iii) one or more suspending agents, wherein the composition consists of >75%, by weight, consumer-grade components and wherein the composition is a concentrate that can be mixed with water or an aqueous solution to form a fire-suppressing, water-enhancing hydrogel. Each of the at least one thickening agent, suspending agent and liquid medium can be non-toxic and biodegradable. Also provided are the fire-suppressing, water-enhancing hydrogel and methods of production and use thereof during fire fighting or fire prevention.