Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam Concentrate for Low-Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firefighting foams using fluorinated surfactants are being replaced by non-fluorinated alternatives, and there is a need for firefighting compositions that maintain stability and effectiveness at low temperatures while suppressing Class A and Class B fires effectively.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous firefighting foam concentrates are developed, comprising aliphatic alcohol-based components, anionic and zwitterionic surfactants, and optionally nonionic surfactants, with a polysaccharide thickener, and are free of fluorinated compounds, which can be aerated to form firefighting foams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorinated surfactants are used in firefighting foam, then fire suppression performance is improved, but environmental harm and health concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes fluorinated surfactants from the firefighting foam composition entirely, extracting the harmful component while retaining the essential fire suppression functionality through alternative non-fluorinated surfactant systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite surfactant systems combining non-fluorinated surfactants with specific additives and co-surfactants to achieve the fire suppression performance previously provided by fluorinated compounds, creating a multi-component formulation that replaces the single-component fluorinated surfactant system
2Adaptability or versatility
If firefighting foam concentrate is stored at low temperatures, then deployment in cold environments is enabled, but composition stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by selecting surfactants and additives with appropriate freezing points and solubility characteristics that remain stable at low temperatures, changing the formulation parameters to enable cold environment storage and deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces glycol-based additives as intermediary substances that act as antifreeze agents and solubility enhancers, mediating between the surfactant components and low temperature conditions to prevent precipitation and maintain composition stability
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 concentrates provide effective fire suppression performance across Class A and Class B fires, maintaining stability under low temperatures and avoiding the use of fluorinated compounds.
Implementation Method 1
The aqueous firefighting foam concentrate includes a surfactant component comprising an anionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, or a mixture of any two or more thereof
Implementation Method 2
an aliphatic alcohol-based component comprising at least two compounds selected from C8-C14-aliphatic alcohols and ethoxylates of C10-C14-aliphatic alcohols
Data Source
AI summary
A method of fighting a fire, the method includes aerating a firefighting foam composition to form an aerated firefighting foam; administering the aerated firefighting foam to a fire or applying the aerated firefighting foam to a surface of a volatile flammable liquid; wherein the firefighting foam composition includes a surfactant component comprising an anionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, optionally a nonionic surfactant, or a mixture of any two or more thereof; an aliphatic alcohol-based component comprising at least two compounds selected from C8-C14-aliphatic alcohols and ethoxylates of C10-C14-aliphatic alcohols having an average of no more than about 6 ethylene oxide units; and at least about 30 wt. % water.