Non-Polymer Organic Fire Retardant Mixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire retardants, such as pyrophosphates and halogenated organic compounds, are non-biodegradable and toxic, causing environmental issues like eutrophication and neurotoxicity, and are not suitable for extinguishing forest fires due to their adverse effects on ecosystems.
Innovation Solution
A pyrophosphate-free mixture of non-polymer organic compounds that form strong hydrogen-bridge bonds, creating a self-assembled aggregate with enhanced thermodynamic stability and fire retardant properties, which is biodegradable and minimally toxic, suitable for extinguishing forest fires without harming vegetation or ecosystems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pyrophosphate-based fire retardants are used, then fire extinguishing effectiveness is improved, but environmental toxicity increases due to non-biodegradability and eutrophication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing inorganic pyrophosphates with organic compounds containing specific functional groups (carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, amine, aldehyde, ketone). This parameter change maintains fire retardancy while improving biodegradability and reducing environmental toxicity, as the organic components naturally decompose without causing eutrophication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite fire retardant formulations by combining multiple organic compounds with different functional groups in specific ratios. This composite approach enhances synergistic fire suppression effects while maintaining environmental benignity, as the combination of biodegradable organics provides both effective fire retardancy and ecological compatibility.
2Reliability
If halogenated organic fire retardants are used, then fire suppression capacity is improved, but neurotoxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates halogen atoms from the fire retardant molecular structure. By removing the harmful halogen element entirely and replacing it with carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur atoms in organic compounds, the invention maintains fire suppression capability while completely eliminating neurotoxicity associated with halogenated compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs biodegradable organic compounds that can be naturally degraded by microorganisms in the environment. These short-living organic fire retardants decompose into harmless substances, eliminating persistent neurotoxicity, whereas traditional halogenated compounds persist in the environment and accumulate toxic effects.
3Reliability
If brominated organic fire retardants are used, then effectiveness on plastics and textiles is improved, but neurotoxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition by replacing bromine with other elements found in naturally occurring organic compounds. The fire retardant formulation uses compounds containing carboxylic acid groups, hydroxyl groups, amine groups, aldehyde groups, and ketone groups, which provide effective fire retardancy on plastics and textiles without the neurotoxic properties of brominated compounds.
4Reliability
If non-biodegradable fire retardants are used, then fire control effectiveness is improved, but environmental accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biodegradable organic compounds that can be naturally discarded and decomposed by environmental microorganisms. Instead of accumulating in aquifers and ecosystems, these organic fire retardants break down into harmless substances, eliminating the environmental accumulation problem while maintaining effective fire control during application.
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 mixture effectively inhibits combustion by increasing thermodynamic stability, is environmentally benign, and can be used in various forms, including aqueous solutions and impregnated on solid supports, providing a cost-effective and widely accessible solution for fire retardation.
Implementation Method 1
This unexpected activity results from the self-assembly and the formation of sufficiently strong hydrogen-bridge bonds between the components of the mixture. This strong interaction makes the combustion process endergonic, allowing fire to be extinguished
Implementation Method 2
This strong interaction makes the combustion process endergonic, allowing fire to be extinguished. The mixture effectively inhibits combustion by increasing thermodynamic stability
Data Source
AI summary
A pyrophosphate-free mixture with fire retardancy, including a mixture of non-polymer organic components, wherein at least a first compound of the mixture acts as a hydrogen-bridge donor and at least a second compound of the mixture acts as a hydrogen-bridge acceptor. The disclosure also relates to a method for preparing the fire-retardant mixture and to the use thereof as a fire retardant in extinguishing forest fires.