Magnesium Phosphate Hydrate Heat Absorber for Cable Fire Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat-absorbing materials for cables in facilities like atomic and thermal power plants are bulky, heavy, and prone to failure due to water evaporation or decomposition at high temperatures, making them difficult to handle and replace in narrow spaces, and they often damage cables before achieving effective heat absorption.
Innovation Solution
A heat-absorbing material composed of 70-99 wt.% magnesium phosphate hydrate particles with 1-30 wt.% binder, preferably magnesium phosphate tribasic octahydrate and sodium silicate, which can be easily handled and efficiently absorbs heat, even at high temperatures, and is lightweight, allowing for flexible packaging and use in confined areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heat-absorbing materials (water-containing polymer absorber or aluminum hydroxide hydrate) are used, then heat absorption function is provided, but the material becomes bulky and heavy making it difficult to handle and replace in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using magnesium phosphate hydrate instead of conventional materials, achieving a density reduction while maintaining heat absorption capacity. The specific formulation (Mg3(PO4)2·8H2O with specific crystal structure) provides both lightweight properties and effective heat absorption through dehydration reaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite heat-absorbing material by combining magnesium phosphate hydrate particles with a binder system. This composite structure maintains the lightweight advantage of magnesium phosphate hydrate while adding mechanical strength and handling properties through the binder, resolving the contradiction between light weight and structural integrity.
2Reliability
If aluminum hydroxide hydrate is used, then heat absorption through decomposition is achieved, but cables are damaged before the hydrate decomposes since decomposition temperature is higher than heatproof temperature of cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the decomposition temperature parameter by selecting magnesium phosphate hydrate which decomposes at lower temperatures compared to aluminum hydroxide hydrate. The magnesium phosphate hydrate begins dehydrating around 100-200°C, well below the typical cable insulation failure temperature, thus providing heat absorption protection before cables are damaged while maintaining lower operational temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the crystal water in magnesium phosphate hydrate from a potential source of damage (if released too early) into a beneficial heat absorption medium. The 8H2O in the crystal structure acts as a heat sink during controlled dehydration, absorbing large amounts of heat energy during cable fire incidents at temperatures that protect rather than damage the cables.
3Reliability
If heat-absorbing material is used to protect cables, then fire resistance is achieved, but the material requires frequent replacement due to water evaporation or decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable sealed package containing pre-mixed magnesium phosphate hydrate particles and binder. The package is designed to remain intact during storage and installation, and is discarded after use. This eliminates the need for long-term stability of the reactive components while maintaining full functionality when needed, as the material is used immediately after sealing.
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 material effectively maintains cable temperature below 100°C even at temperatures exceeding 1000°C, providing continuous heat absorption and fire resistance without the need for frequent replacement, enhancing safety and operational efficiency in power plants.
Implementation Method 1
Magnesium phosphate tribasic octahydrate decomposes and absorbs heat from about 100°C
Implementation Method 2
When heated, the polymer absorber absorbs heat, and the aluminum hydroxide hydrate absorbs heat by using water molecules (crystal water) contained therein
Implementation Method 3
The heat-absorbing material comprises particles that comprise 70-99 wt.% of magnesium phosphate hydrate and 1-30 wt.% of binder
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A heat-absorbing material including particles including a magnesium phosphate hydrate and a binder.