Gas-Isolated Storage Space With Inert Atmosphere Fire Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated storage and retrieval systems face significant risks of fire due to high electric power and acceleration of container handling vehicles, which can create sparks or high temperatures, and existing fire prevention methods are inadequate, with oxygen reduction solutions being energy-intensive and harmful to human workers.
Innovation Solution
A storage facility with a gas isolating system that controls gas concentration, using a gas regulating device to reduce oxygen levels and inject inert gases or fire extinguishing substances, and incorporates cooling facilities to minimize fire risk without significantly impacting operational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxygen reduction is used to prevent fire, then fire risk is reduced, but energy consumption increases and human workers are harmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inert atmosphere by introducing nitrogen gas into the storage facility to displace oxygen and create a non-flammable environment. The gas regulating device controls the nitrogen injection to maintain oxygen levels below the fire hazard threshold (typically below 16%), thereby preventing fire without requiring continuous high energy consumption for monitoring and suppression systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the gas composition parameter by adjusting oxygen concentration levels through nitrogen injection. The gas regulating device dynamically controls the ratio of nitrogen to oxygen in the atmosphere, maintaining optimal fire prevention conditions while minimizing energy consumption and ensuring safe working conditions for humans.
2Reliability
If fire prevention measures are implemented, then safety is improved, but operational efficiency is impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The gas regulating device operates autonomously to maintain safe gas concentrations without requiring continuous human intervention. The system automatically monitors oxygen levels and adjusts nitrogen injection accordingly, ensuring fire prevention while minimizing disruption to storage and retrieval operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces nitrogen gas as an intermediary substance that mediates between fire prevention requirements and operational continuity. The inert nitrogen atmosphere provides fire protection while allowing normal storage and retrieval operations to proceed without significant interruption.
3Reliability
If inert gas injection is used to control oxygen levels, then fire risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas regulating device is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring oxygen levels, controlling nitrogen injection, and maintaining safe atmospheric conditions. This multi-functional approach consolidates fire prevention capabilities into a single integrated system rather than requiring separate complex subsystems.
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
Significantly reduces the risk of fire within the storage system by maintaining a non-flammable atmosphere, allowing safe long-term storage of biological species and fresh food, while ensuring operational continuity.
Implementation Method 1
a gas regulating device (10) arranged to reduce a gas concentration, in this case an oxygen gas concentration, in the storage space (2) by injecting inert gases or fire extinguishing substances
Implementation Method 2
incorporates cooling facilities to minimize fire risk without significantly impacting operational efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a storage facility comprising a gas isolated storage space containing an automated storage and retrieval system and a method for using such a storage facility.