Inert Gas Fire-Fighting System with Virtual Grid Zoning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire-fighting systems using nitrogen as an inerting gas face challenges in maintaining uniform residual oxygen levels within large environments due to non-uniform mixing, gas stratification, and leakage, leading to energy inefficiency and potential safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A fire-fighting system utilizing a virtual grid to distribute inert gas through injection points and sampling points, optimizing gas distribution by targeting specific regions with variable spacing and heights, and employing a network with automatic valves to minimize gas consumption and ensure uniform oxygen levels without auxiliary ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If nitrogen is introduced at a single delivery point to protect the entire environment, then the system structure is simple, but the residual oxygen content becomes non-uniform due to finite mixing time and gas stratification
Solution Approach 1:
The environment is divided into multiple zones with dedicated injection points and sampling points. Each zone is monitored and controlled independently, ensuring uniform nitrogen distribution throughout the large space while maintaining system manageability through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
Injection points are positioned at multiple heights within the environment to counteract gas stratification caused by density differences. This vertical dimensionality ensures that nitrogen distributes uniformly throughout the volume, preventing oxygen-rich layers from forming at different elevations.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are distributed uniformly on walls to monitor oxygen levels, then measurement coverage is comprehensive, but the system cannot specifically detect air inflows from openings
Solution Approach 1:
Sampling points are strategically positioned near openings and air inflow paths rather than uniform distribution. This localized placement enables specific detection of air infiltration events while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage through the network of sampling points connected to the central analyzer.
Solution Approach 2:
The oxygen analyzer receives real-time data from multiple sampling points and provides feedback to the control unit. When air inflow is detected at specific locations, the system responds by activating nearby injection points to maintain oxygen levels, creating a responsive feedback loop that adapts to dynamic conditions.
3Reliability
If nitrogen is continuously introduced to maintain safe oxygen levels in large environments, then safety is ensured, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous nitrogen introduction, the system applies partial action by activating injection points only in zones where oxygen levels exceed safety thresholds. This on-demand approach maintains fire safety while dramatically reducing nitrogen consumption and energy requirements compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection through the network of sampling points and oxygen analyzer before oxygen levels become dangerous. This early warning capability allows proactive nitrogen injection at lower concentrations, preventing the need for excessive nitrogen introduction later while maintaining safety margins.
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 system effectively maintains uniform residual oxygen levels, reduces energy consumption, and enhances safety by directing inert gas only where needed, minimizing leakage and stratification, thus ensuring consistent safety and efficiency in large environments.
Implementation Method 1
an oxygen analyzer connected to said sampling points
Implementation Method 2
a network distributing inert gas into a closed environment through injection points
Implementation Method 3
oxygen is heavier than nitrogen and therefore tends to stratify with respect to nitrogen
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A fire-fighting system, has a network for the distribution of inert gas into a closed environment (1) through injection points (6); a plurality of sampling points (4) that take samples of atmosphere in the closed environment (1) in order to measure the quantity of oxygen that is present; an inert gas generator (9) connected to the injection points (6) and an oxygen analyzer (12) connected to the sampling points (4); the inert gas generator (9) is controlled by the oxygen analyzer (12) so as to send inert gas to the injection points (6) when the oxygen content measured by the sampling points (4) exceeds a preset value; a virtual grid (2) divides the environment (1) into a plurality of regions having variable dimensions: smaller regions at openings (3, 33) of said environment toward the outside, and larger regions where there are no openings; each region has at least one injection point (6) and at least one sampling point (4); the sampling point (4) of each region is distant from the respective injection point (6).