PFAS-Free Fire Foam Composition Using Plant Proteins and Surfactants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire foam concentrates contain PFAS, which are harmful chemicals that persist in the environment and pose health risks, necessitating the development of PFAS-free alternatives that are effective in suppressing both Class A and Class B fires.

Innovation Solution

A PFAS-free fire foam concentrate composition comprising water, plant proteins, surfactants, alcohols, and builders, with a bio-based content greater than 80%, utilizing enzymatically modified soy-based proteins and chemically modified surfactants to achieve a viscosity suitable for fire suppression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PFAS is used in fire foam concentrate, then fire suppression effectiveness is improved, but environmental safety and health regulations are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire suppression effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental safety and health regulations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes PFAS from the fire foam concentrate formulation and replaces it with alternative surfactants and plant-based proteins. This extraction of the harmful substance while maintaining the essential fire suppression function directly resolves the contradiction between effectiveness and environmental safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the fire foam concentrate by substituting PFAS with alternative surfactants and plant proteins. This parameter change maintains the functional properties needed for fire suppression while eliminating harmful substances, addressing both effectiveness and environmental safety requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If PFAS is eliminated from fire foam concentrate, then environmental safety is improved, but fire suppression effectiveness may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental safetyVSAvoidfire suppression effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite fire foam concentrate formulation combining multiple components: alternative surfactants, plant-based proteins, and other compatible chemicals. This composite approach ensures that the fire suppression effectiveness is maintained through synergistic interactions between components while avoiding PFAS entirely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary substances (alternative surfactants and plant proteins) that mediate between the water phase and fire substrate, performing the same wetting and penetration function that PFAS previously provided. These intermediaries enable effective fire suppression without harmful chemicals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If bio-based components are used in fire foam concentrate, then environmental sustainability is improved, but formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental sustainabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects bio-based components that serve multiple functions simultaneously. For example, plant-based proteins provide both surfactant activity and foam stability, while also contributing to environmental sustainability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate additives and simplifies the overall formulation despite the increased complexity of working with natural materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 composition effectively suppresses Class A and Class B fires, demonstrating rapid foam generation and persistence, while being environmentally friendly and safe for long-term storage.

Implementation Method 1

PFAS... due to its unique ability to vastly reduce the surface tension of the water phase and facilitate penetration of the water into various substrates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

to generate a stable foam that is more effective in suppressing both Class A and Class B fires

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam generation: Foam

Data Source

PatentUS12611562B2Bio-based, PFA-free fire foam concentrate compositions comprising plant proteins, surfactants, alcohols, and builders, production thereof, and use thereof

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 CROSS PLAINS SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A PFAS-free fire foam concentrate composition comprising water, a plant-based protein, a surfactant, an alcohol, and a builder. The bio-based content of the PFAS-free fire foam is preferably 80% by weight or greater. There is also disclosed a process to produce the PFAS-free fire foam concentrate composition, and the application of the fire foam concentrate onto a Class A fire or Class B fire.