Mesh Screen Dispersion Burner for Firefighter Training
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Water dispersion burners used for firefighter training suffer from non-realistic fire simulation due to an exposed water surface and performance issues during direct stream and hose line attack patterns, leading to potential hazards from uncombusted fuel release.
Innovation Solution
A tank with a non-combustible medium and a mesh material covering the open upper end, along with a fuel distribution system and oxygen-containing gas distribution, igniting a mixture to create a flame that passes through the mesh, providing a realistic flame representation and preventing water displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water dispersion burner is used to create a uniform flame pattern with high heat output, then the training simulation is effective, but the exposed water surface makes the fire simulation non-realistic
Solution Approach 1:
A mesh screen is introduced as an intermediary element between the water surface and the visible flame. The mesh screen allows the flame to pass through while blocking the view of the water surface, thereby maintaining the realism of the fire simulation without compromising the training effectiveness of the burner system.
2Power
If water is used as dispersion medium to create sustained flame, then high heat output is achieved, but direct stream attack causes rapid water displacement affecting burner performance
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh screen acts as a protective intermediary that prevents direct water contact with the flame zone. When water is applied during training exercises, the mesh screen blocks the water flow, preventing rapid displacement of the water dispersion medium and maintaining stable burner performance while still allowing the flame to burn effectively.
3Ease of operation
If flame is produced at water surface for training, then training exercise can be conducted, but hose line attack sweeps flames away releasing uncombusted fuel creating hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh screen serves as a safety intermediary that confines the flame within its structure. When water flows over the mesh screen during hose line attacks, the mesh prevents the flame from being swept away and contains the combustion process, thereby preventing the release of uncombusted fuel into the training area atmosphere while still allowing the training exercise to proceed.
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 solution enhances realism and performance by maintaining a stable flame during training, preventing water displacement and uncombusted fuel release, while simulating a more realistic fire scenario, thus improving firefighter training safety and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A combustible fuel (such as propane or the like) is piped into the dispersion medium. The fuel vaporizes and percolates out of the dispersion medium
Implementation Method 2
This mixture is ignited by a pilot flame creating a sustained flame at the surface of the dispersion medium
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
A firefighting trainer includes a tank for containing a volume of a non-combustible dispersion medium such as water. The water resides within the tank having an upper surface of the water exposed through an open upper end of the tank. A fuel distribution system distributes a combustible fuel into the tank beneath the water surface. An air distribution system distributes an oxygen containing gas (such as air) into the tank beneath the upper water surface. An ignition system ignites a mixture of a vapor of the fuel and the air at the upper surface of the water. A screen covers the open end of the tank and is spaced from the upper surface of the water. The screen has open spaces permitting passage of flame through the screen.