Solid Gel Foam Extinguishing Agent for Collapse-Resistant Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foam fire extinguishing agents face issues with foam collapse under flame radiation, leading to insufficient coverage and rapid fire resurgence in large-scale oil fires, while dry powder and gaseous agents fail to provide complete coverage and cooling in electrical fires, resulting in reignition.

Innovation Solution

A solid gel foam fire extinguishing agent composed of materials A and B, which form a semi-gel state that adheres to fire targets, providing low density, high adhesion, and resistance, with components like inorganic silicate, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and sodium dihydrogen phosphate, forming a stable foam that resists collapse and promotes prolonged coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional foam fire extinguishing agent is used to cover oil surface, then initial coverage is achieved, but foam structure collapses under prolonged flame radiation leading to insufficient coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam structure stabilityVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the foam by incorporating inorganic silicate (sodium silicate or potassium silicate) as a gel-forming agent. This transforms the conventional foam into a gel foam with enhanced structural stability that resists collapse under flame radiation, thereby maintaining coverage area over time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite fire extinguishing agent combining organic foam components with inorganic silicate gel. This composite structure integrates the coverage capability of conventional foam with the thermal stability and structural integrity of inorganic gel, solving the contradiction between initial coverage and sustained stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Area of stationary object

If foam supply is increased to maintain coverage area, then coverage is improved, but foam degradation at flame boundaries balances expansion under limited supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidfoam supply quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the physical state of the foam to a gel state through inorganic silicate addition, the agent achieves higher stability that prevents degradation at flame boundaries. This allows maintaining effective coverage area with reduced quantity of substance required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If dry powder fire extinguishing agent is used to suppress combustion, then free radicals are scavenged, but cooling effect is insufficient allowing reignition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombustion suppressionVSAvoidcooling effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The gel foam combines the combustion suppression mechanism (free radical scavenging) with significant cooling effect from the gel structure and water content. This composite approach achieves both reliable combustion suppression and adequate cooling to prevent reignition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If gaseous fire extinguishing agent is used for electrical fires, then oxygen dilution and radical inhibition occur, but complete coverage cannot be achieved in open environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextinguishment effectivenessVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a liquid/gel-based foam system that can be projected and expanded to cover large areas, unlike gaseous agents that dissipate rapidly. The foam structure allows complete coverage of electrical fire surfaces while maintaining extinguishment effectiveness through oxygen displacement and radical inhibition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 agent achieves continuous fire suppression by maintaining coverage on oil surfaces and preventing electrical current transmission, ensuring effective extinguishment and rescuer safety with high electrical resistance and adhesion, and environmentally benign residue.

Implementation Method 1

a solid gel foam fire extinguishing agent, including a material A and a material B... the material A includes the following components in mass percentage: 18% to 25% of an inorganic silicate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGel formation: Gel

Implementation Method 2

forming a stable foam that resists collapse and promotes prolonged coverage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoam stabilization: Foam

Implementation Method 3

0.25% of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na), 0.25% of sodium alginate, 0.1% to 0.5% of xanthan gum... high adhesiveness

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscosifying:

Implementation Method 4

0.5% to 1.5% of sodium lauryl sulfate (C12H25SO4Na, SLS)... low oil wettability... forming a protective layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 5

the foam structure collapses... high resistance... environmentally benign residue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVitrification: Vitrification

Data Source

PatentUS20250269217A1Solid gel foam fire extinguishing agent, and preparation method and use thereof
Publication Date: 2025.08.28 TIANJIN FIRE SCI & TECH RES INST OF MEM
  • US20250269217A1 patent drawing
  • US20250269217A1 patent drawing
  • US20250269217A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A solid gel foam fire extinguishing agent includes a material A and a material B; the material A includes the following components in mass percentage: 18% to 25% of an inorganic silicate, 0.25% of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, 0.25% of sodium alginate, 0.1% to 0.5% of xanthan gum, 0.5% to 1% of polyvinyl alcohol, 0.5% to 1.5% of sodium lauryl sulfate, 0.01% to 0.05% of dodecanol, 0.005% to 0.01% of disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, and water as a balance; and the material B includes the following components in mass percentage: 25% of sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 25% of acetic acid, 1% to 1.5% of fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether, 0.1% to 0.5% of 3% aqueous film-forming foam, 0.01% to 0.05% of the dodecanol, and water as a balance. The fire extinguishing agent exhibits advantages including low density, low oil wettability, high resistance, high adhesiveness, and foam collapse-resistant properties in fire resistance.