Hazardous Material Storage With Nitrogen Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for storing hazardous materials in semiconductor factories are not reliable, leading to potential fires, toxic emissions, and explosions when hazardous materials are exposed to air, posing risks to equipment and human safety.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with storage containers equipped with fire sensors, nitrogen injection nozzles for rapid fire extinguishment, temperature sensors, and a door control system that automatically closes to prevent exposure to air, allowing for safe storage and monitoring of hazardous materials, with features like ventilation ports and a collection container for leakage liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional storage systems are used, then storage capacity is provided, but reliability is insufficient leading to fire, toxic emission, or explosion when hazardous materials are exposed to air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces nitrogen gas to create an inert atmosphere within the storage container, replacing oxygen to prevent combustion. When hazardous materials are exposed to air, nitrogen is supplied to suppress spontaneous combustion and extinguish fires by displacing oxygen, directly resolving the fire and explosion risks while maintaining storage reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism using fire sensors and temperature sensors that continuously monitor the storage environment. When fire or abnormal temperature is detected, the system automatically triggers nitrogen supply and door closure actions, creating a closed-loop control system that enhances reliability by responding to harmful conditions in real-time
2Reliability
If storage containers are equipped with fire sensors and nitrogen injection systems, then fire detection and extinguishment capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a self-service system where the storage container autonomously detects fire conditions through integrated sensors and automatically executes fire suppression by supplying nitrogen and closing doors without external intervention. This automation reduces operational complexity while enhancing fire safety reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple safety functions (fire detection, temperature monitoring, nitrogen supply control, and door actuation) into an integrated system within the storage container. By merging these functions into a unified automated response mechanism, the system manages complexity through functional integration while achieving comprehensive fire safety
3Speed
If the storage container door is automatically closed when fire is detected, then fire extinguishment speed is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning the door in an open state for easy manual access during normal operations. When fire is detected, the system automatically closes the door as a preliminary containment action before nitrogen suppression begins, enabling rapid fire response while maintaining operational ease through the open-default state
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 apparatus effectively prevents hazardous material exposure to air, rapidly detects and extinguishes fires, and ensures safe storage by automatically closing the storage container door, minimizing risks of accidents and equipment damage in semiconductor factories.
Implementation Method 1
an injection nozzle provided in each of the storage containers, the injection nozzle injecting nitrogen into the storage container from a nitrogen supply unit when a fire is detected
Implementation Method 2
a fire sensor provided in each of the storage containers to detect a fire occurring in the storage container
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor provided in each of the storage containers to sense a temperature in the storage container
Implementation Method 4
configured such that hazardous material is prevented from being exposed to the air, and even if some hazardous material is exposed to the air, it is slowly burned spontaneously
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for storing hazardous material. The apparatus includes storage containers each of which stores a hazardous material storage box containing hazardous material. The hazardous material storage box is extracted from or retracted into the storage container by a transfer means. A fire sensor is provided in each storage container to detect a fire occurring in the storage container. A temperature sensor is provided in each storage container to sense a temperature in the storage container. An injection nozzle is provided in each storage container. The injection nozzle injects nitrogen into the storage container from a nitrogen supply unit when a fire is detected. An outlet pipe connection passage and a flexible outlet pipe connection tube are provided to exhaust gas from the storage containers. A collecting container is provided in the lower end of the apparatus to collect and store leakage liquid of hazardous material.