Storage Tank Fire Suppression via Heat-Triggered Foam Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fire suppression systems for storage tanks require human intervention and multiple units to control fires, are costly, and often ineffective in extinguishing flames within tanks with roofs, especially when ignited by environmental factors or lightning strikes, leading to costly damage and environmental hazards.
Innovation Solution
A storage tank fire suppression system using a pressurized containment cylinder with multiple openings and heat sensors made of glass, plexi-glass, or plastic that automatically releases fire suppressant foam (AFFF) when temperatures indicate combustion, covering the entire surface area to deprive the fire of oxygen and extinguish the blaze quickly without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fire extinguishers are used to control storage tank fires, then human intervention is required and multiple fire units are necessary, but this leads to high costs in terms of human resources and capital, and often fails to extinguish the fire
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automatic heat sensors that detect combustion temperatures and trigger the release of fire suppressant foam without human intervention. The sensor comprises glass, plexi-glass or plastic that is compromised (melted or broken) by temperatures indicating combustion levels, automatically activating the suppression system
Solution Approach 2:
The fire suppressant is delivered through multiple exterior compartments that discharge dry chemical over the flame. The system divides the suppression function across multiple discharge points to effectively cover the entire fire area within the tank
2Ease of operation
If firefighters attempt to reach the contents of a storage tank with a roof to extinguish fire, then human access is required, but it is difficult for firefighters to reach the contents at all
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary dispensing mechanism that delivers fire suppressant through compartments and vents within the upper roof structure. This intermediary delivery system bypasses the need for direct firefighter access to the tank contents by utilizing the existing roof ventilation pathways
3Productivity
If storage tanks are placed adjacent to other storage tanks for efficient space utilization, then space is optimized, but when one tank ignites, other tanks may ignite causing a fire that is difficult or impossible to control
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by automatically detecting combustion temperatures through heat sensors and immediately releasing fire suppressant foam to prevent fire spread. The system activates before the fire can propagate to adjacent tanks, creating a protective barrier that stops the harmful effect in its early stages
4Quantity of substance
If storage tanks contain combustible materials such as oil and gasoline, then valuable materials are stored, but when ignited these materials create fires that are very difficult to control and lead to boil over explosions
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of combustion into a beneficial detection signal. Heat sensors detect the temperature rise from combustion and automatically trigger the fire suppressant release, transforming the harmful thermal energy into a useful activation mechanism that initiates fire suppression
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 system effectively extinguishes flames within seconds, protecting the tank contents and nearby storage tanks from fire spread, reducing human resource and capital costs, and ensuring rapid fire control without removing the tank roof, even in cases of ignition from environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
heat sensor comprised of glass, plexi-glass or plastic, is compromised (i.e. melted, or broken) by temperatures in the container indicating that the flammable material is at or near combustion levels
Implementation Method 2
pressurized containment cylinder with multiple openings and heat sensors made of glass, plexi-glass, or plastic that automatically releases fire suppressant foam (AFFF)
Implementation Method 3
releases fire suppressant foam, or aqueous film forming material ('AFFF'), over a flammable material contained within a storage tank
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to automatically activated fire suppression system providing a system that releases fire suppressant foam, or aqueous film forming material (“AFFF”) over a flammable material contained within a storage tank or gas tank, when a heat sensor comprised of glass, plexi-glass or plastic, is compromised (i.e. melted, or broken) by temperatures in the container indicating that the flammable material is are at or near combustion levels.