Non-fluorinated Firefighting Foam Concentrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional firefighting foams rely on fluorinated surfactants, which are undesirable due to environmental concerns, and are ineffective against Class B fires involving flammable liquids.
Innovation Solution
Development of aqueous firefighting compositions that include a sugar component, a polysaccharide thickener, and a surfactant mixture comprising anionic, zwitterionic, and optionally nonionic surfactants, with a water-miscible organic solvent, and are substantially free of fluorinated compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluorinated surfactants are used in firefighting foam compositions, then the foam effectiveness against Class B fires is improved, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes fluorinated surfactants from the firefighting foam composition entirely, extracting the harmful component while maintaining the essential foam-forming functionality through alternative non-fluorinated surfactant systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting fluorinated compounds with non-fluorinated alternatives, specifically using surfactants based on hydrocarbons, esters, or other non-fluorinated molecules while adjusting concentrations and ratios to achieve comparable firefighting performance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-fluorinated surfactants are used to replace fluorinated surfactants, then environmental harm is reduced, but firefighting effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite surfactant systems combining multiple non-fluorinated surfactant types (anionic, cationic, nonionic, or zwitterionic) along with co-surfactants and additives to achieve synergistic effects that replicate or exceed the performance of fluorinated surfactants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a multi-component formulation where various ingredients serve multiple functions: surfactants provide both foam generation and fire suppression, additives enhance stability and performance across different fire types (Class A and Class B), creating a universal composition that addresses diverse firefighting needs without fluorinated compounds
3Reliability
If conventional foam-forming compositions are used, then firefighting performance is maintained, but fluorinated compounds are present in the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of fluorinated compound release into a benefit by deliberately formulating with non-fluorinated alternatives that provide comparable or superior performance while eliminating environmental contamination, effectively using the limitation as a driver for improved composition design
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 compositions form effective firefighting foams that can extinguish both Class A and Class B fires without using fluorinated surfactants, addressing environmental concerns and improving firefighting efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant mixture containing one or more of an aliphatic alcohol-based nonionic surfactant, an alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant, alkyl sulfonate anionic surfactant, and a zwitterionic surfactant
Implementation Method 2
a polysaccharide thickener
Implementation Method 3
which may be aerated to form a firefighting foam
Data Source
AI summary
A method of fighting a fire, the method includes aerating a firefighting foam composition to form an aerated firefighting foam; administering the aerated firefighting foam to a fire or applying the aerated firefighting foam to a surface of a volatile flammable liquid; wherein: the firefighting foam composition includes a sugar component comprising a monosaccharide sugar, a sugar alcohol, or a combination thereof; a polysaccharide thickener; a surfactant component comprising an anionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant or a mixture of any two or more thereof; a water-miscible organic solvent; and at least about 30 wt. % water.