Parallel Branch Pressure-Reducing Device for Inert Gas Fire Extinguishing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inert gas fire-extinguishing systems cannot adapt the sequence of oxygen displacement events to specific conditions, leading to inefficient inerting in differently sized protected rooms, as they follow a single inerting curve, resulting in prolonged inerting times and inadequate adaptation to room volume and pressure relief.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a pressure-reducing device with multiple parallel branches, each with a controllable valve and distinct pressure-reducing mechanisms, allowing for adjustable pressure reduction and adaptable inerting curves to suit specific conditions, enabling the oxygen-displacing gas volume to be tailored to each room's requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single pressure-reducing mechanism is used, then the system structure is simple, but the inerting process cannot be adapted to different room conditions and requires prolonged inerting time
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-reducing device is divided into multiple parallel branches (first branch with first pressure-reducing mechanism, second branch with second pressure-reducing mechanism), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows different pressure reduction rates to be selected based on room conditions, thereby increasing inerting speed without requiring a completely complex new system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which pressure-reducing mechanism to use based on the protected room's volume and pressure relief characteristics. The control system can switch between the first and second pressure-reducing mechanisms or use them in combination, adapting the pressure reduction rate to match specific inerting requirements, thus optimizing inerting speed for different scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single inerting curve is used for all rooms, then the control system is simple, but the inerting process is inefficient for differently sized rooms
Solution Approach 1:
Different pressure-reducing mechanisms are assigned to different branches, with each mechanism optimized for specific room conditions. The first pressure-reducing mechanism may be suited for smaller rooms while the second is optimized for larger rooms or different pressure relief scenarios. This local optimization allows the system to adapt to various room volumes and conditions without requiring a completely complex control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-reducing device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating multiple parallel branches that can be used individually or in combination. This universal design allows the same device to serve multiple inerting scenarios (different room sizes, different fire risks, different pressure relief requirements) without requiring separate systems for each case, balancing adaptability with control system simplicity.
3Speed
If high pressure gas is released quickly, then the response time is fast, but the pressure relief requirement of the room may not be met
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the gas release speed by selecting between different pressure-reducing mechanisms based on the protected room's pressure relief characteristics. For rooms with limited pressure relief capacity, the system uses the pressure-reducing mechanism that provides slower, more controlled gas release. For rooms with higher pressure relief capacity, faster release can be utilized, thus maintaining reliability while optimizing response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure reduction parameter (pressure reduction rate) by switching between different pressure-reducing mechanisms. The first pressure-reducing mechanism may provide a first pressure reduction rate suitable for rooms with lower pressure relief requirements, while the second mechanism provides a second pressure reduction rate for rooms with higher pressure relief capacity. This parameter adjustment ensures reliable operation across different room conditions.
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
This solution allows for flexible and efficient inerting, enabling the oxygen content in protected rooms to be reduced according to different inerting curves, optimizing the inerting process by adapting the gas volume and flow rate to the specific room conditions, thereby enhancing fire extinguishing efficiency and reducing inerting time.
Implementation Method 1
each pressure-reducing mechanism is configured to reduce a high input pressure to a low output pressure according to a known pressure-reducing characteristic curve
Implementation Method 2
The extinguishing effect resulting from this method is based on the principle of oxygen displacement. As is known, normal ambient air consists of 21% oxygen by volume, 78% nitrogen by volume and 1% by volume of other gases. For extinguishing purposes, the oxygen content of the atmosphere within the enclosed room is decreased by introducing an oxygen-displacing gas, for example nitrogen.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an inert gas fire-extinguishing system for reducing the risk of and extinguishing fires in a protected room. So as to have the inerting of the protected room ensue according to different variable sequences of events, the inert gas fire-extinguishing system includes a pressure-reducing device having at least two parallel branches, wherein each parallel branch has a pressure-reducing mechanism. Each parallel branch is connectable to a high-pressure collecting line and a low-pressure extinguishing line via a controllable valve, whereby each pressure-reducing mechanism is designed to reduce a high input pressure to a low output pressure according to a known pressure-reducing characteristic curve.