Superabsorbent Polymer Trenches for Peat Fire Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peat fires are challenging to control and prevent due to their deep-seated nature and the hydrophobic properties of peat layers, which hinder water penetration, causing fires to spread and making existing firefighting methods ineffective.
Innovation Solution
The use of superabsorbent co-polymers with high swelling capacity in water is employed to create a thermal barrier by filling trenches with partially or totally swollen polymers, which can absorb and retain large quantities of water, effectively stopping fire spread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is injected into peat fires using conventional methods, then the fire can be suppressed on the surface, but the water cannot penetrate the hydrophobic subsoil layers, causing the fire to continue spreading in deeper layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (surfactant or foam agent) that mediates between the water and the hydrophobic peat subsoil. This intermediary reduces the surface tension of water, enabling it to penetrate the water-repellent layers and reach the fire source in deep peat layers, thereby resolving the contradiction between water application and water penetration effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of water by adding surfactants or converting it to foam form. This parameter change transforms conventional liquid water into a form that can effectively interact with and penetrate hydrophobic peat structures, overcoming the water repellency barrier and achieving reliable fire suppression
2Ease of manufacture
If trenches are dug out with excavators to contain peat fires, then the fire can be confined in shallow areas, but the trenches are often not deep enough to prevent fire spread in deeper peat layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic equipment (excavators with hydraulic systems) to dig trenches to the required depth. The hydraulic power enables the excavation machinery to penetrate deep into the peat ground, creating sufficiently deep containment trenches that can effectively block fire spread in both shallow and deep peat layers, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of implementation and required trench depth
3Quantity of substance
If maximum quantities of water treated with surfactants and fire retardants are applied to peat fires, then the fire suppression capacity is increased, but it remains difficult to spread the water into the hydrophobic subsoil to put the fire out completely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the delivery form and physical parameters of water by converting it into foam. This foam form has different rheological properties that enable it to adhere to and penetrate hydrophobic peat surfaces more effectively than liquid water, ensuring that the large quantity of water applied actually reaches the fire source and achieves complete extinguishment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by converting liquid water into foam (a colloidal phase). This phase transition creates a substance with enhanced penetration能力和 adhesion properties, allowing the water to overcome the hydrophobic barrier and deliver the full quantity of suppressant to the fire, thereby achieving reliable complete fire extinguishment
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 approach allows for quick and cost-effective containment of peat fires by creating a 'solid water' barrier that can absorb up to 99% water, effectively extinguishing fires and preventing their spread, even in deep peat layers, thereby protecting towns and houses.
Implementation Method 1
superabsorbent co(polymers) or SAPs with a high swelling capacity in water... absorbing very large quantities of water and therefore swelling
Implementation Method 2
They can absorb and keep large quantities of water up to 100 times or more of their mass in liquid... totally swollen SAP is characterize by the fact that all the small cavities of the three dimensional network are filled with water to saturation
Implementation Method 3
They are extremely efficient thermal barriers... create a thermal barrier by filling trenches with partially or totally swollen polymers
Data Source
AI summary
Process to stop and/or prevent the spreading of peat fires consisting of:digging a trench in the periphery of the area of outbreak of fire or potential fire,filling the trench at least partially with a superabsorbent (co)polymer (SAP).