Modular Fire-Rated Exhaust Duct Assembly to Eliminate On-Site Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire-rated exhaust duct systems face challenges in maintaining fire containment and thermal insulation while accommodating space constraints, and on-site welding often results in poor quality and additional construction steps.
Innovation Solution
A modular fire-rated duct system with a rectangular cross-section, comprising an inner duct liner, outer casing, and insulation void, connected by flange connectors and joint encasements, allowing pre-fabrication and easy assembly on-site to form continuous duct runs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fire-rated exhaust duct systems are used, then fire containment and thermal insulation are achieved, but on-site welding is required which results in poor quality and additional construction steps
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is divided into modular pre-fabricated sections that can be assembled on-site without welding. Each module contains integrated fire-rated components and insulation, allowing mechanical connection while maintaining fire containment integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Fire containment features, insulation layers, and structural components are pre-assembled and pre-tested in controlled manufacturing environments before delivery to the installation site, ensuring high quality and eliminating on-site welding operations.
2Temperature
If fire-rated duct systems with adequate insulation are installed, then thermal transfer is limited, but the duct wall thickness increases beyond workable minimums
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system employs composite construction with multiple layers including fire-resistant materials, high-performance insulation, and thin-walled structural components. This composite structure achieves superior thermal insulation and fire containment while maintaining thin overall wall thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct system uses a nested structure with an inner fire-rated liner, middle insulation layer, and outer protective casing. This multi-layer nested design maximizes thermal insulation within minimal wall thickness by optimizing the function of each concentric layer.
3Ease of operation
If modular pre-fabricated duct sections are used, then on-site assembly is simplified, but additional components such as flange connectors and joint encasements are required
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are integrated into single components where possible. For example, flange connectors incorporate sealing and alignment features, while joint encasements combine structural support with fire-rated protection, reducing the total number of separate parts needed for assembly.
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 contains fires and limits thermal transfer, eliminating the need for on-site welding and additional construction, while fitting into conventional building spaces and ensuring compliance with fire and thermal standards.
Implementation Method 1
a void formed between at least a portion of space between the inner duct liner and the outer casing, the void configured for receiving an insulation material
Data Source
AI summary
A fire-rated exhaust duct system comprising a modular configuration or structure. The fire-rated exhaust duct system comprises a plurality of exhaust duct sections. Each of the exhaust duct sections is configured to be joined or connected with other exhaust duct sections in the field or at an installation site, e.g. in building housing a kitchen facility or a laboratory facility to form longer sections or runs for exhaust duct system.