Nitrogen-Enriched Fire Inertization via Compressed Air Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection systems in track-guided vehicles, such as railway vehicles, face challenges in providing effective and space-efficient fire prevention and extinguishing solutions that do not disrupt normal vehicle operations or safety functions, particularly due to the complexity and limited space in these vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a central compressed air source with a gas separation device to generate a nitrogen-enriched gas mixture for inertization, which can be introduced into target areas as needed, maintaining a controlled oxygen concentration through intermittent fluid communication and automatic control, ensuring efficient fire prevention and extinguishing without impacting safety-relevant functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fire protection systems are installed in track-guided vehicles, then fire suppression capability is provided, but installation space requirements increase and normal vehicle operations are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The central compressed air source serves multiple functions: it provides compressed air for normal vehicle operations (door operation, braking, suspension) and simultaneously supplies compressed air to the buffer tank for fire suppression operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated fire suppression compressed air systems, reducing overall installation space while maintaining fire suppression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the fire suppression system with the vehicle's existing compressed air infrastructure by connecting the buffer tank to the central compressed air source. This integration combines two previously separate systems (vehicle operations and fire suppression) into a unified system that shares common components, thereby reducing the total volume required for installation.
2Reliability
If dedicated fire suppression compressed air systems are installed, then fire response capability is ensured, but vehicle operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system manages multiple functions through a unified architecture: it monitors compressed air pressure in the buffer tank, controls the solenoid valve to maintain pressure within operational ranges, and triggers fire suppression when needed. This centralized control approach reduces operational complexity compared to separate dedicated systems while ensuring reliable fire response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates pressure sensors that continuously monitor the compressed air pressure in the buffer tank and provide feedback to the control system. The control system adjusts the solenoid valve based on this feedback to maintain pressure within the operational range, ensuring the system is always ready for fire suppression without requiring complex manual monitoring or adjustment procedures.
3Reliability
If compressed air is continuously supplied to the buffer tank, then fire suppression readiness is maintained, but compressed air consumption from central source increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous supply, the system uses periodic action through a solenoid valve that opens and closes based on pressure feedback. The valve opens when pressure drops below the lower limit to replenish the buffer tank, and closes when pressure exceeds the upper limit. This periodic replenishment maintains fire suppression readiness while minimizing compressed air consumption from the central source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous fire suppression readiness through the buffer tank, which stores compressed air independently. The control system ensures the buffer tank pressure remains within the operational range through periodic top-ups, providing continuous availability for fire suppression without requiring continuous flow from the central compressed air source, thus reducing overall consumption.
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 provides a cost-effective, space-saving, and efficient means to maintain target areas in a fire-safe state during vehicle operation, ensuring personnel safety and vehicle protection by continuously regulating oxygen levels and rapidly responding to fire detection.
Implementation Method 1
Compressed air can be supplied from the compressed air buffer tank to a gas separation device as needed, whereby a nitrogen-enriched gas mixture is provided at the outlet of the gas separation device as a result of the gas separation
Implementation Method 2
The preventative or extinguishing effect resulting from rendering a protected area inert is based on the principle of oxygen displacement. In order to effectively lower the risk of a fire breaking out in a given protected area, such as for example in an enclosed room, the oxygen content within the relevant area is decreased by introducing inert gas or an inert gas mixture respectively such as e.g. nitrogen
Data Source
AI summary
A system for preventing and/or extinguishing a fire in an enclosed target area in a vehicle. The system having a central compressed air source for supplying compressed air to a load circuit. A supply of compressed air is provided in a compressed air buffer tank is supplied to a gas separation device from the compressed air buffer tank. A nitrogen-enriched gas mixture is provided at an outlet of the gas separation device, and introduced into the target area. An inlet of the compressed air buffer tank is at least temporarily fluidically connected to an outlet of a central compressed air source, wherein compressed air can be supplied to the compressed air buffer tank. A fluidic connection is provided between the central compressed air source and the compressed air buffer tank if a load circuit is not drawing any compressed air from the central compressed air source.