Post-foaming Fire Protection Composition Using Silicate and Inert Gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire extinguishing foams are unstable, expensive, and unsuitable for vertical surfaces, with components like dibromohexafluoropropane and CFCs causing environmental harm, and silicates gelling issues leading to short shelf life and loss of foam-forming ability, making them ineffective for long-term thermal insulation and fire protection.
Innovation Solution
A post-foaming composition using inert gas as a propellant, alkali or alkaline earth metal silicates, and a carrier material like fatty acids or their derivatives, which forms a stable, long-lasting foam with hydrocarbon gases, creating a solid insulating layer that adheres well to surfaces and maintains fire resistance up to 810°C, while being environmentally friendly and non-corrosive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fire extinguishing foams are used, then fire protection is provided, but the foams are unstable and have low consistency preventing use on vertical surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using alkaline silicate solutions with controlled pH values and specific moduli, combined with foam stabilizers and surfactants, to achieve both fire protection effectiveness and foam stability on vertical surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite foam system combining silicate-based fire retardant components with foam stabilizing agents and surfactants, achieving synergistic effects that provide both fire protection and structural stability for vertical surface application
2Reliability
If silicates are used as fire-resistant ingredients, then flame-retardant effect is improved, but the silicates gel and precipitate at low pH values causing short shelf life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the pH value of the silicate solution above 11.5 through alkaline additives, preventing gelation and precipitation of silicates during storage while preserving their flame-retardant properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces alkaline additives as intermediaries that maintain the pH buffer system, preventing direct interaction between silicates and acidic components that would cause gelation, thereby extending shelf life
3Productivity
If dibromohexafluoropropane is used as a gaseous component, then foam generation is improved, but toxic decomposition products are formed at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces toxic fluorinated compounds with inert gases like nitrogen or carbon dioxide that do not produce harmful decomposition products, while achieving effective foam generation through alternative mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses environmentally benign, inexpensive inert gases that can be safely vented after use, replacing expensive and hazardous fluorinated propellants
4Reliability
If conventional foam compositions are used, then fire extinguishing capability is provided, but the foams are expensive due to raw materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses readily available, inexpensive materials such as common silicates, water, and standard surfactants to formulate the foam composition, significantly reducing raw material costs while maintaining fire extinguishing effectiveness
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 forms a durable, non-combustible, ceramic-like structure that provides superior fire resistance and thermal insulation, adhering to vertical surfaces and remaining effective for extended periods, with reduced environmental impact and lower costs compared to traditional foams.
Implementation Method 1
the given liquid and gas phase fire extinguishing and/or thermal insulation material can be created and stored in containers under pressure, which produces large volume firefighting foam upon dispensed, in the way of the inert gas dissolved in the water and the hydrocarbon gas in the carrier may expand on decrease of the ambient pressure
Implementation Method 2
the fire-resistant components in the carrier hardens by heat and forms a solid ceramic structure, which is able to protect the surface from heat and fire
Implementation Method 3
forms a solid ceramic structure, which is able to protect the surface from heat and fire
Implementation Method 4
The carrier is suitable for the capture of at least a portion of propellant gas or mixture of gases
Implementation Method 5
up to 18% by weight of foam enhancement component, made of organic or inorganic soap-forming base
Data Source
AI summary
Inert and hydrocarbon gases, such as propellant gases, maintain a pressure in a bottle to ensure that a formed composition can be dispensed to an intended destination. The carrier releases soluble hydrocarbon gases and the water drops dissolve inert gases, so the liquid is inflated and creates upstanding foam. This foam maintains the texture and water content up to 6-24 hours, depending on the ratio of the fire-resistant component. As heat reaches the foam, the heat-resistant silicate component becomes activated. Strong heat causes evaporation of the moisture of the carrier, and then the bound water of the silicates evaporates from the foam, with a honeycomb-structure left behind which is a good thermal insulator and is able to protect the object. Above approximately 350° C., a ceramic protective layer forms, while the water content of the foam inside the foam migrates outwards towards the dry crust.