Silicone Fire-Resistant Coating for High-Pressure Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure storage tanks lack effective fire protection solutions, particularly for those subjected to several hundred bars, with existing methods offering limited means and processes for fire protection that are easy to implement and account for the specific constraints of these tanks, such as storage and filling/draining cycles.
Innovation Solution
A fire-resistant material comprising a thermosetting elastomeric resin matrix with endothermic fillers, specifically silicone resin and aluminum trihydroxide, providing thermal protection, shock resistance, and flexibility, allowing for modular external shapes and easy integration into storage systems, along with a process involving precursor mixing, degassing, and shaping to achieve a one-piece structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flame retardant materials are used on high-pressure storage tanks, then fire protection is provided, but the materials lack flexibility and cannot accommodate storage and filling/draining cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining silicone resin (providing flexibility and elastomeric properties) with endothermic fillers (providing fire protection). This composite structure allows the coating to simultaneously accommodate mechanical deformation during storage cycles and provide effective fire protection through the endothermic decomposition of fillers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by incorporating endothermic fillers that undergo thermal decomposition at specific temperature ranges. When exposed to fire, these fillers decompose endothermically, absorbing heat and slowing the temperature rise on the tank surface, thereby providing time-dependent fire protection while maintaining material flexibility.
2Temperature
If rigid fire-resistant materials are used, then thermal protection is improved, but the materials cannot resist shock and fatigue from pressure cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The silicone resin matrix provides elastomeric properties that enable the coating to resist shock and fatigue from pressure cycles, while the incorporated endothermic fillers provide thermal protection. The composite structure synergistically combines the mechanical flexibility of the polymer matrix with the thermal protection of the filler particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible silicone resin-based coating that can deform elastically during pressure cycles and storage operations. This flexible film structure accommodates the dynamic mechanical stresses of high-pressure storage tanks while maintaining continuous fire protection coverage.
3Reliability
If complex fire protection systems are implemented, then fire resistance is improved, but ease of manufacture and integration are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The silicone resin coating serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides fire protection through endothermic fillers, ensures adhesion to the tank surface, maintains flexibility for pressure cycles, and offers ease of application. This multi-functional coating eliminates the need for separate layers for each function, simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
By integrating fire protection, adhesion, and flexibility into a single composite coating system, the patent simplifies manufacturing. The endothermic fillers are uniformly distributed within the silicone resin matrix, creating a monolithic structure that can be applied in one step rather than requiring multiple sequential coating operations.
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 material offers triple functionality of thermal protection, shock resistance, and conformability, delaying or preventing tank bursting during fires, while being easy to implement, repair, and integrate into storage systems, with adjustable filler content and resistance to fatigue cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a fire-resistant material comprising a thermosetting elastomeric resin matrix in which endothermic fillers are incorporated
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fire-resistant material including a matrix made of a thermosetting elastomeric resin, such as a silicone resin, in which endothermic fillers are included, as well as to a high-pressure storage tank coated with said material, to methods for preparing same, and to the uses thereof.