CA2018075A1 - Process for the preparation of a sodium polyacrylate gel - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A process for the preparation of a sodium polyacrylate gel It comprises treating sodium polyacrylate with water in a proportion of 1 to 10 g/l of water, for a time between 1 and 300 seconds and at a temperature between 10 and 40° C
to obtain the gel.
The main uses of the gel is to extinguish fires and to be a means for furnishing moisture in agricultural use.

Description

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A process for the preparation of a sodium polyacrylate gel TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention fits in the technical field of the preparation of sodium polyacrylate gels especially appli-cable to extinguish fires and as a means for furnishing moisture in agricultural use.
PRIOR ART
The sodium polyacrylate used as the base of the gel of the present invention is a known product which has the follow-ing physical features:
Appearance: White powder Size: Microgranular spray Moisture content: 7 % of its weight Smell: non-perceptible pH: 7+3 (sol. 1 ~/~ in water) Solubility: Soluble in water. Insoluble in organic solvents Degradation: Under prolonged exposure to sun-light Stability: Stable, in the absence of moisture Absorption capacity: Close to 800 units by weight, in distilled water (depending on the manufacturer) Specific weight: Approx. 0.5 kg/l.
Harmful effects: ~nknown. Harmless to touch or swallowing DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND EMBODIMENT THEREOF
The process of the present invention is characterized because it comprises treating sodium polyacrylate with water in a proportion of 1 to 10 g/l. of water until small saturated nuclei of water are fomed stably with a soapy gelatine appear-ance, which takes between 1 and 300 seconds. The process is carried out at a temperature between approximately 10 and 40Q C.

znls~7s 1 Preferably some 3 g/l. of sodium polyacrylate are used, although the proportion depends on the quality of the water as a higher concentration is required with chlorinated water.
The normal temperature at which the process is carried out is approximately 18Q C.
REMARKS AND EXPERIMENTS
1) It has been observed that, hydrating the product in a suitable proportion of water, so that it can be pushed by a hydraulic pump, similar to the ones used to remove water, the gelatine that is sprayed through the nozzle remains "impregnant" and avoids the loss of water by evaporation.
If a source of heat approaches this gelatine, the water remains, it does not evaporate.

2) Placing the product on a hotplate, to direct heat, it takes more than 25 minutes to return to its initial pow-dered state.

3) The following experiment was conducted:
Combustible material of different components was made to burn: rubber, wood, textile fibers, brush and dry grass ...
and an attempt to put out this source of heat was made in the normal way with water. The result is that evaporation, scatter-ing, splashing are produced and it is really costly to put out the fire. Likewise, an attempt was made to put out the fire with the hydrated product of the invention by spraying it on these sources of combustion with a promising result: 1/4 the volume of water, less time, less manpower were used and the result is immediate, since the gel falls on the source of combustion "smothering" it and cutting off the oxygen supply and, therefore, combustion is immediately curbed. There is no scattering or evaporation since it is observed that the product has a boiling point much higher than lOOQ C.

4) A similar experiment was carried out in an open moun-tain (controlled area):
A fire belt impregnating an advance strip with water was made at an advance fire front in order to stop it. Upon reach-zn~8~75 1 ing the fire and burning the brush close to this point,the water evaporated and the fire advanced without present-ing another alternative.
On the other hand, the fire belt was marked with the S gel of the ~nvention and the fire irremissibly stopped ad-vancing, remaining extinguished in this point. The plants and brush had the gelatine covering them and preventing the evaporation of the water and therefore preventing combustion of their materials.
The product of the invention can be used by introducing it in a closed container with compressed air or gases, such as carbon dioxide in order to be applied by extinguishers and the like.
Another process of application, just like the synthetic foams used by fire companies, is to use a mixing lump which is connected by nozzles to the main hose through which water is drawn in from a fire hydrant.
OTHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT USES
The constructio~ of new public buildings and large depart-ment stores have irrigation systems to extinguish sources of heat. These auxiliary elements operate by spraying and spreading out water. They do not always operate effectively and the inventors suggest that, if these same elements were to dose with gelatine the place where the fire has started, the effectiveness of these apparatus would considerably increase.
On the other hand, the insulating materials and coating fibers, including the product in the composition thereof in the manufacturing process, upon coming in contact with water, would form a fire-resistant moisture chamber on carpets, glass fibers, corks, wood, etc.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A process for the preparation of a sodium polyacrylate gel, characterized because it comprises treating sodium poly-acrylate with water in a proportion of l to 10 g/l. of water for a time between 1 and 300 seconds and at a temperature bet-ween 10 and 40° C, to obtain the gel.