Floating-Roof Tank Foam Diffuser for Beyond-Rim-Seal Fires

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire suppression systems for storage tanks with floating roofs are inadequate in extinguishing fires that spread beyond the rim seal, leading to prolonged firefighting efforts and increased risks to equipment and personnel.

Innovation Solution

A fire extinguishing system with a foam supply conduit extending from a remote location to a submerged foam diffuser affixed to the floating roof, which includes a foam agitator to expand the foam and form a protective blanket between the floating roof and the flammable liquid surface, using adjustable-length conduits to accommodate roof movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If foam is stored on the roof in limited quantities for fire suppression, then the system is simple and quick to deploy, but the system cannot effectively extinguish fires that spread beyond the rim seal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoam quantityVSAvoidfire extinguishing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The foam application system is segmented into multiple delivery locations: rim seal nozzles for localized fires and tank bottom outlets for widespread fires. This segmentation allows the system to handle both rim seal fires and fires that spread beyond the rim seal effectively, resolving the contradiction between limited foam quantity and fire extinguishing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foam application approach transitions from a single-dimensional (roof-level) application to multi-dimensional delivery by introducing tank bottom outlets. This allows foam to be applied from both the top (rim seal) and bottom (tank interior) dimensions, enabling comprehensive fire suppression throughout the tank volume regardless of fire spread extent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If firefighting efforts are prolonged to address fires beyond the rim seal, then more foam can be applied, but the risk to equipment and personnel increases and interruptions in the energy supply chain occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoam quantityVSAvoidfirefighting duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-positioning foam outlets at both the rim seal and tank bottom, and pre-storing adequate foam quantities in the tank. When a fire occurs, the system can immediately apply foam from multiple locations simultaneously, eliminating the need for prolonged firefighting efforts and reducing risks to personnel and equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining ready-to-use foam supplies within the tank and having multiple delivery outlets operational simultaneously. This continuous capability to apply foam from both rim seal and tank bottom ensures rapid fire suppression without interruption, minimizing firefighting duration and associated risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If a foam diffuser is submerged in the flammable liquid to form a protective blanket, then fire extinguishing effectiveness is improved, but the risk of flammable liquid flowing back into the foam supply conduit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire extinguishing effectivenessVSAvoidbackflow risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component in the foam supply conduit between the tank interior and the external foam supply system. This check valve allows foam to flow into the tank from the external supply but prevents flammable liquid from flowing back into the conduit, thus enabling the submerged diffuser to effectively form protective foam blankets while eliminating the backflow hazard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 extinguishes fires by forming a robust foam blanket that floats on the flammable liquid, reducing fire risk and minimizing interruptions in the energy supply chain.

Implementation Method 1

forming a protective foam blanket between the underside of the floating roof and an upper surface of the flammable liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS20250281784A1Fire extinguishing system for hydrocarbon or petrochemical storage tank with floating roof

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A fire extinguishing system includes a storage tank defining a vertical wall and a floating roof floating on a flammable liquid stored within the storage tank. The floating roof is vertically movable along the vertical wall in response to a level of the flammable liquid within the storage tank and a rim seal is defined circumferentially between the floating roof and the vertical wall. A foam supply conduit extends to the storage tank from a remote location and a foam diffuser is fluidly coupled to the foam supply conduit. The foam diffuser is affixed to an underside of the floating roof and submerged in the flammable liquid. The foam diffuser includes at least one outlet for discharging a foam into the flammable liquid adjacent the underside of the floating roof and an upper surface of the flammable liquid.