Subterranean Fire Suppression via Aqueous Carrier Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire suppression methods for above-ground fires are ineffective for subterranean fires, which pose significant economic, social, and ecological threats due to their underground location and smoldering nature, often continuing to burn undetected until visible signs like smoke appear.
Innovation Solution
A fire-suppression composition comprising a carrier agent, such as guar, and a salt-based flame retardant like monoammonium phosphate, applied through an aqueous solution at a ratio of 30:70, is used to penetrate the earth's surface and reach subterranean fires, suppressing or extinguishing them without the need for access sites or extensive excavation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fire suppression methods are used for above-ground fires, then surface fires can be effectively suppressed, but subterranean fires continue to burn undetected and pose ongoing threats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fire suppression composition by using an aqueous solution with specific ratios of carrier agent (30-70 parts) and flame-retardant salt (70-30 parts), enabling effective penetration into subterranean environments where conventional methods fail
Solution Approach 2:
The aqueous solution acts as an intermediary medium that carries the flame-retardant salt deep into the earth to reach subterranean fires, serving as a delivery mechanism that overcomes the limitations of conventional surface-based suppression methods
2Reliability
If access sites or extensive excavation are used to reach subterranean fires, then direct contact with fuel source is achieved, but destruction of earth surface and environmental damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using an aqueous solution that penetrates the earth through soil pores and capillary action, delivering fire suppression chemicals to subterranean fires without mechanical excavation or destruction of the earth surface
Solution Approach 2:
The fire suppression composition utilizes the porous structure of soil and earth materials to penetrate deep into the ground and reach subterranean fuel sources, eliminating the need for excavation while maintaining effective fire suppression
3Loss of time
If subterranean fires are allowed to burn undetected, then economic and ecological threats accumulate, but direct intervention becomes more difficult and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary detection and intervention by using thermal imaging and other detection methods to locate hot spots before fires become widespread, allowing timely application of fire suppression composition to prevent accumulation of harmful effects
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 solution effectively reduces and eliminates subterranean fires by penetrating the earth to reach the fuel source, reducing smoke and heat production, and significantly decreases the likelihood of reignition, offering a more efficient and less destructive method compared to conventional approaches.
Implementation Method 1
penetrating the earth to reach the fuel source
Implementation Method 2
contacting the subterranean fire with a fire-suppression composition
Implementation Method 3
flame-retardant salt... suppressing or extinguishing them... reducing smoke and heat production
Data Source
AI summary
A method of suppressing, reducing and/or extinguishing a subterranean fire comprising contacting the subterranean fire with a fire-suppression composition comprising a carrier agent and a flame-retardant salt. A method of treating a peat fire comprising locating one or more hot spots associated with the peat fire, preparing an aqueous solution of a fire-suppression composition comprising guar and monoammonium phosphate, wherein a ratio of guar to monoammonium phosphate is about 30:70; and contacting the peat fire with the aqueous solution.