Microcapsulated Fire Extinguishing Agents with Composite Shells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microencapsulated fire extinguishing agents have slow release rates, are thermally inactivated, and fragile shells that can be destroyed under mechanical stress, leading to reduced effectiveness in extinguishing fires at early stages of combustion.
Innovation Solution
Development of microcapsules containing a fire extinguishing agent in a superheated gas phase, with a porous matrix and polymer coating that releases the agent at a lower temperature (110-130°C), creating an active gas environment to inhibit combustion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If microcapsules use traditional polymer coatings with high melting points, then structural integrity is maintained, but response temperature is too high and release is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of inorganic glass shell containing fire extinguishing agent and organic polymer binder. This composite structure allows the shell to have both low activation temperature (from glass softening) and adequate mechanical strength (from polymer binder), resolving the contradiction between response temperature and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the shell material by using glass with specific softening temperature range (800-1000°C) and controlling the polymer binder content (5-20 wt%). This parameter optimization enables the shell to soften and release agent at relatively low temperatures while maintaining structural integrity during storage and handling.
2Loss of time
If microcapsules use additional heat-accumulating materials, then heating time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs aluminum powder, a cheap and readily available heat-accumulating material, that is consumed during the fire event to provide rapid heating. This simple, low-cost additive significantly reduces heating time without requiring complex systems, aligning with the principle of using simple disposable materials for temporary high-performance functions.
3Temperature
If microcapsules use fragile shells, then activation temperature is low, but mechanical strength is insufficient and shells break under stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite shell structure where inorganic glass provides low activation temperature through softening, while organic polymer binder provides mechanical strength and flexibility. This composite approach allows the shell to remain intact during storage and handling yet activate at relatively low temperatures when exposed to fire.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses polymer-coated glass microcapsules where the polymer layer provides flexibility and mechanical resilience to the otherwise brittle glass shell. This flexible composite structure prevents shell fracture under mechanical stress while maintaining the low activation temperature property of the glass material.
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 enables rapid and efficient release of the fire extinguishing agent, effectively inhibiting fire generation and flare-ups, while being resistant to mechanical stress and maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
microcapsules containing a fire extinguishing agent in a superheated gas phase
Implementation Method 2
releases the agent at a lower temperature (110-130°C), creating an active gas environment
Data Source
AI summary
A composition comprising a microencapsulated fire extinguishing agent, comprising: a fire extinguishing agent absorbed into a porous matrix; and a coating surrounding said porous matrix and a method for producing such a microencapsulated fire extinguishing agent.