EP2998002B1 - Inert gas extinguishing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gas extinguishing system for a given protection area, in particular in the form of a screened construction system, such as a small parts storage system.

It is known that in enclosed spaces, which, for example, are only occasionally entered by persons and their facilities react sensitively to the action of water, a risk of fire is minimized by lowering the oxygen concentration in the affected area to, for example, about 12% by volume becomes. At this oxygen concentration, most flammable materials can no longer burn. The main areas of application are IT areas, electrical switch and distribution rooms, enclosed facilities as well as storage areas with high-quality assets.

For example, from the EP 2 186 546 A1 an inert gas extinguishing system is known, which is designed to render an enclosed protection area in accordance with different event sequences.

Another gas extinguishing system is from the DE 198 11 851 C1 known. This gas extinguishing system is designed to lower the oxygen content in an enclosed space to a pre-settable baseline inerting level and, in the event of a fire or when needed, to further rapidly reduce the oxygen content to a particular full inertization level. For this purpose, the known gas extinguishing system an inert gas source controllable by means of a control device; and a supply pipe system connected to the inert gas source and the protective region, via which the inert gas provided by the inert gas source can be supplied to the protected region. As an inert gas source either a pressure bottle battery, in which the inert gas is stored compressed, a system for generating inert gas (colloquially also referred to as "nitrogen generator") or a combination of both solutions in question.

Also DE 10 2009 039 357 A1 discloses an inert gas gas extinguishing system with a distributor tube for introducing the inert gas into the space to be protected.

The prevention or extinguishing effect resulting from an inerting of a protected area is based on the principle of oxygen displacement. Normal ambient air is known to be about 21 vol .-% of oxygen, about 78 vol .-% of nitrogen and about 1 vol .-% of other gases. In order to effectively reduce the risk of fire in a given protection area, such as in an enclosed space, the oxygen concentration in the area concerned is reduced by introducing inert gas or an inert gas mixture, such as nitrogen. With regard to fire extinguishment of most solids, it is known, for example, that a extinguishing effect begins when the oxygen content drops below 15% by volume. Depending on the flammable materials present in the protection zone, further lowering of the oxygen content to, for example, 12 vol.% May be required.

From the prior art known gas extinguishing systems that are designed for fire extinguishing in enclosed spaces are often not readily to reduce the risk and extinguish fires in rasterized storage or shelving systems, such as small parts storage systems suitable because such storage or Shelving systems often have a plurality of subregions in the form of individual chambers, so that in particular this is not an enclosed space. In particular, the construction of vertical, high-density bearings is a major challenge for conventional gas extinguishing systems. The often very tight bearing support and the associated high density of material make it difficult in case of fire, the fire to extinguish effectively and, above all, timely.

Especially with small parts storage systems, such as tray shuttles or circulation shelving systems (paternoster systems), it is often with regard to fire fighting With the help of a fire extinguishing system required that a "gentle" flooding of the protected area with extinguishing gas or inert gas, so that the storage system is not damaged and in the deletion or firefighting no harmful pressure on the stored material.

The present invention has for its object, starting from a conventional designed for enclosed and relatively gas-tight spaces and projected fire extinguishing system, as described for example in the EP 2 186 546 A1 or in the DE 198 11 851 C1 is described, these to the effect that it can be used for shelving and storage systems, especially bearings with low storage intervals in the form of, for example, vertical shuttle and Paternoster systems.

Conventional, designed for enclosed and relatively gas-tight spaces and projected fire extinguishing systems are not readily usable for such shelving and storage systems, as the shelf and storage systems represent a protected area without a truly gas-tight space envelope. While a protected area defined in a typical racking and storage system often has an n ₅₀ value of 25 / h to 50 / h, the air exchange rate in enclosed spaces, such as those in the EP 2 186 546 A1 or in the DE 198 11 851 C1 are significantly lower (for example, a typical N ₅₀ value of a refrigerated warehouse is 0.015 / h to 0.03 / h).

Accordingly, conventional, designed for enclosed and relatively gas-tight spaces and projected fire extinguishing systems for racking and storage systems are not suitable because with these conventional fire extinguishing systems in the specified protection area no rapid construction of the extinguishing gas concentration and holding the extinguishing gas concentration despite limited amount of extinguishing agent is possible.

The object underlying the invention is achieved by a gas extinguishing system according to the independent claim 1, wherein advantageous developments of the gas extinguishing system according to the invention are specified in the appended claims.

Accordingly, the present invention relates in particular to a gas extinguishing system for a given protection area, in particular in the form of a screened construction system, such as a small parts storage system, wherein the gas extinguishing system comprises an inert gas source and a connected via a piping system fluidly connected to the inert gas source or connectable diffuser system. The inert gas source is designed to provide inert gas at least during a flood time designed with respect to the protected area. The diffuser system of the gas extinguishing system according to the invention has at least one diffuser tube with a plurality of bores provided in the lateral surface of the diffuser tube, whereby at least part of the inert gas provided by the inert gas source can be radially introduced into the protected region, based on the longitudinal direction of the diffuser tube. In addition to the at least one diffuser tube, the diffuser system of the gas extinguishing system according to the invention also has a pressure reduction with an orifice assigned to the at least one diffuser tube, this pressure reduction being arranged in terms of flow between the pipeline system and the at least one diffuser tube.

By providing a diffuser tube with a plurality of holes provided in the lateral surface of the diffuser tube, various advantages can be achieved in comparison to extinguishing gas nozzles, which are generally used in conventional gas extinguishing systems designed for enclosed spaces. On the one hand, the provision of the at least one diffuser tube makes it possible for the inert gas to be introduced into the protected area via many small openings (bores) in the event of fire or when required. This ensures a gentle flooding while optimally distributing the inert gas in the protected area. For example, it is possible for the openings (bores) in the lateral surface of the diffuser tube to be individually adapted to the local conditions of the protected area. In a vertical shuttle or paternoster system or a similar storage system, which is often up to 30 m high, the openings / holes in the lateral surface of the diffuser tube are preferably individually adapted at different heights within the vertical storage system, so that neither trays nor others Structural structures for the quenching gas (inert gas) can form obstacles.

Accordingly, it can be seen that by the use of at least one diffuser tube a homogeneous inert gas distribution and thus an effective fire fighting even in a screened construction system, such as in a small parts storage system, is feasible.

On the other hand, the gas extinguishing system according to the invention is characterized in that the Diffusorsytem has a the at least one diffuser tube associated pressure reduction with a diaphragm, the pressure reduction fluidly between the Leitungssytem over which the diffuser system is fluidly connected to the inert gas source of the gas extinguishing system or connectable, and the at least a diffuser tube is arranged. With regard to the diffuser system according to the invention is particularly provided that this is designed such that during the flood time designed for the protection area a bar in absolute metered diaphragm pressure is at least twice as high as the internal pressure of the diffuser tube, and that during the designed flood time of the internal pressure of the Diffuser tube maximum 2 bar absolute.

With these two design conditions, several advantages are achieved. On the one hand, a diffuser system configured in this way allows a uniform distribution of the extinguishing agent (inert gas, in particular nitrogen) in the extinguishing area of small parts storage systems with minimal flow load. The resulting gentle flooding of the protected area with a maximum of 2 bar pressure ensures that the goods stored in the protected area are not damaged.

On the other hand, the mentioned projecting of the diffuser system has the further advantage that the diffuser system constitutes a "reaction-free add-on component" for the remaining components of the gas extinguishing system in terms of approval. "Reaction-free" in this context means that, from the design point of view of the gas extinguishing system, it makes no difference whether a diffuser system or a standard extinguishing nozzle (single-hole nozzle) is connected at the end of the pipeline system which is connected or connectable with the inert gas source.

The achievable advantages are obvious: Accordingly, the project planning of the gas extinguishing system according to the invention with said diffuser system basically basically corresponds in many parts of the standard configuration of a conventional Gas extinguishing system, which is a tested and proven system, for example with VdS approval. This applies in particular to the design of the inert gas source (for example in the form of inert gas pressure bottles), for the construction of the controller, for the line system up to the specified range, for the division into protective or extinguishing zones and for the design of the nozzle bores in standard extinguishing nozzles.

In other words, in the planning and design of the gas extinguishing system according to the invention can be largely recourse to the experience and know-how, which was already collected or constructed with regard to the design of conventional gas extinguishing systems with standard extinguishing nozzles.

In addition, for planning the gas extinguishing system according to the invention, the planning tools and the configuration software can be used, which have already been developed for projecting a gas extinguishing system with standard extinguishing nozzles and have been tested accordingly.

Accordingly, the gas extinguishing system according to the invention is a solution that is particularly easy to implement but nevertheless effective and, in particular, adapted for vertical storage systems.

In order to achieve the most uniform possible distribution of the inert gas emitted from the at least one diffuser tube during the flood time, it is provided in a preferred realization of the gas extinguishing system that the at least one diffuser tube is preferably designed so that during the flood time, preferably all of them in the lateral surface of the at least a diffuser tube formed holes the same mass flow of inert gas is discharged.

This can be achieved, for example, by virtue of the fact that the sum area of the bores corresponds at most to half the cross-sectional area of the diffuser tube with equally distributed inert gas flows through the bores (area rule). Alternatively, it is conceivable to exceed this area rule by, for example, 30%, so that the sum area of the holes corresponds to half the cross-sectional area of the diffuser tube plus 30%. In this case, the soft Mass flows through the holes not more than 10% from each other, which is usually tolerable.

Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable if the holes provided in the lateral surface of the at least one diffuser tube each have a predetermined bore diameter. Apart from this, it is also advantageous for manufacturing reasons, when the plurality of holes provided in the lateral surface of the at least one diffuser tube holes is arranged according to a fixed drilling distance grid.

For example, it is conceivable in this connection to provide up to 220 bores in the lateral surface of the diffuser tube, each with an average diameter of 2.8 mm to 3.2 mm, for a diffuser tube inner diameter of 53 mm. With such a diffuser pipe up to 22 m in length a freedom of reaction of the diffuser tube on the discharge behavior of the pressure reduction, and thus confirmed on the discharge behavior of the gas extinguishing system.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is provided that preferably the maximum internal pressure in the diffuser tube is adjusted so that the inert gas is released as a subcritical flow into the protected area during the flood time designed for the protected area. This condition can be realized for nitrogen, for example, if the internal pressure in the diffuser tube does not exceed twice the external pressure, ie approximately 2 bar absolute.

In this way, with the diffuser tube not only a feedback-free deflection of serving as an extinguishing inert gas from the longitudinal direction of the diffuser tube in a direction of the diffuser tube radial flow direction is possible, but it is also achieved that no or at least significantly less turbulence in the protected area arise and in comparison to holes in which a supercritical flow is generated, which is the case for example when the internal pressure in the diffuser tube is so great that the flow velocity in the outlet holes reaches the speed of sound and the holes thus act as a nozzle.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the diffuser system is designed such that - based on the bore surface - during the designed flood time, the amount of inert gas released per second through the holes of the at least one diffuser tube into the protected area has a predetermined value of 4.86 x 10 ⁵ liters / (sxm ² bore area) and preferably 4.01 x 10 ⁵ liters / (sxm ² bore area), measured at 20 ° C and 1.013 bar.

Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the diffuser system is designed such that - based on the inner cross-sectional area of the at least one diffuser tube - during the designed flood time the amount of inert gas released per second through the holes of the at least one diffuser tube in the protected area a predetermined Value of 2.92 x 10 ⁵ liters / (sxm ² internal cross-sectional area), and preferably of 2.83 x 10 ⁵ liters / (sxm ² internal cross-sectional area), measured at 20 ° C and 1.013 bar.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, in which nitrogen or a nitrogen-enriched gas mixture is used as inert gas, it is provided that the diffuser system is designed such that during the flood time designed with respect to the protected area, the per second over each individual bore of at least an amount of inert gas released into the protected area of a diffuser tube does not exceed a predetermined value of about 0.004 kg / s, and preferably of about 0.0033 kg / s. With such a configuration selected with regard to the designed mass flow, the freedom of feedback of the diffuser system is ensured, whereby at the same time the further advantages mentioned above, in particular the achievement of a uniform distribution of inert gas in the protected area and the "gentle" flooding of the protected area, are achieved.

Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageous if the diffuser system is designed such that during the flood time designed with respect to the protected area, the total amount of inert gas released per second into the protected area per second via the bores provided in the lateral surface of the diffuser pipe has a predetermined value of about 0.75 kg / s and preferably of about 0.726 kg / s.

In a preferred embodiment of the gas extinguishing system according to the invention, it is provided to use nitrogen or a nitrogen-enriched gas mixture as the inert gas, wherein the at least one diffuser pipe of the diffuser system has a nominal diameter (DN) of 50 according to DIN EN ISO 6708, wherein in the lateral surface of the at least one Diffuser tube maximum 220 holes are formed with a diameter of about 2.8 to 3.2 mm, and wherein the holes are formed in a portion of the diffuser tube having a maximum length of 22 m. This is, of course, only one possible (preferred) configuration of the diffuser system, but other, in particular slightly different configurations and configurations are conceivable.

With regard to the inert gas source of the gas extinguishing system according to the invention, it is preferred if it has at least one inert gas pressure vessel in which the inert gas is stored in compressed form, preferably below 200 or 300 bar. Thus, for the realization of the inert gas source can be used on already proven in conventional gas extinguishing systems and removed components. Of course, it is also possible in this context for the inert gas source to comprise an inert gas generator, in particular a nitrogen generator in the form of a gas separation system, alternatively or in addition to the at least one inert gas pressure vessel.

According to preferred developments of the gas extinguishing system according to the invention, provision is made in particular for the vertical positioning of the at least one diffuser pipe in the protected area that the diffuser system further comprises at least one delivery pipe arranged in flow between the pressure reduction and the diffuser pipe, via which inert gas is passed from the pressure reduction to the diffuser pipe, if necessary.

Alternatively or additionally, and in particular depending on the particular application and the size (height) of the protected area, it is conceivable that the diffuser system further comprises at least one support tube, in particular for the mechanical support of the diffuser tube, which closes the at least one diffuser tube at its end region opposite the pressure reduction ,

However, if a mechanical support of the diffuser tube in the protection area is not required, the pressure reduction opposite end portion of the diffuser tube should be completed, for example via a corresponding end cap to ensure that the diffuser tube supplied inert gas exclusively through the provided in the lateral surface of the diffuser tube holes in the Protected area is released.

In particular, said pre-pipe or support tube serves only for the correct positioning of the diffuser pipe with regard to the protective area or for supporting or leveling the diffuser pipe, wherein this additional component (pre-pipe and / or support pipe) above all has no influence on the non-reactive configuration of the diffuser system Has.

With regard to the most uniform possible distribution of the inert gas in the protected area is provided according to a further aspect of the invention that the diffuser tube is designed as a straight piece of pipe in particular without elbow, angle or tees. Preferably, such elbows, angles or tees - should this be necessary - be provided spatially before the pressure reduction of the diffuser system.

With regard to the production of the at least one diffuser tube, it is advantageous if this is formed from a plurality of segments formed separately from each other. This is especially true when the diffuser pipe exceeds a certain total length. In this context, it has proven to be advantageous to connect the plurality of separately formed segments, in particular via a cold press connection to each other in terms of flow. This ensures optimum sealing of the interfaces between two adjacent diffuser tube segments, even if cooling of the diffuser tube takes place when the inert gas is released.

Of course, other connection techniques come into question, such as compounds in which sealing elements are integrated or provided.

In order to realize the most automated fire extinguishing, the gas extinguishing system according to the invention is provided in a preferred embodiment, in that it has a particularly aspiratively operating recognition device which is designed to detect at least one fire parameter in the protected area. Furthermore, it is advantageous in this context if the gas extinguishing system has a control device which is designed to automatically control the inert gas source, depending on the fire characteristic monitoring, in such a way that the oxygen concentration in the flood time set for the given protection range is determined according to a predetermined event sequence Protected area lowered to a predetermined inerting and preferably held there for a predetermined holding time.

By the term "fire characteristic" as used herein is meant physical quantities that undergo measurable changes in the environment of a fire, e.g. the ambient temperature or the solid, liquid or gas content in the ambient air, such as smoke particles, smoke aerosols, steam or combustion gases.

An aspirative fire detection device is characterized in that the monitored protection area continuously or at predetermined times or events representative air samples are taken, these air samples are then fed to a corresponding fire characteristic detector.

In a preferred development of the last-mentioned embodiment, in which the gas extinguishing system is designed to initiate the inert gas supply, preferably automatically and as a function of a fire characteristic monitoring, at least one system is provided for detecting the oxygen concentration in the protected area. In this way, it is ensured that in the event of fire or if necessary, the oxygen concentration in the protected area can be lowered to or below the predetermined inerting level and preferably maintained there for a predetermined holding time.

Hereinafter, various exemplary embodiments of the gas extinguishing system according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1

schematisch der grundsätzliche Aufbau einer exemplarischen Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Gaslöschanlage;

FIG. 2

schematisch das bei der Gaslöschanlage gemäß FIG. 1 zum Einsatz kommende Diffusorsystem mit detaillierten Schnittansichten der Druckreduzierung des Diffusorsystems sowie der Verbindungsbereiche zwischen zwei benachbarten und miteinander verbundenen Diffusorrohrsegmenten;

FIG. 3

schematisch die Grundstruktur einer weiteren exemplarischen Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Gaslöschanlage; und

FIG.4a, b

schematisch unterschiedliche Ausführungsformen von Diffusorsystemen, die bei einer Gaslöschanlage gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung einsetzbar sind.

Show it:

FIG. 1

schematically the basic structure of an exemplary embodiment of the gas extinguishing system according to the invention;

FIG. 2

schematically in accordance with the gas extinguishing system FIG. 1 used diffuser system with detailed sectional views of the pressure reduction of the diffuser system and the connection areas between two adjacent and interconnected diffuser tube segments;

FIG. 3

schematically the basic structure of another exemplary embodiment of the gas extinguishing system according to the invention; and

FIG. 4a, b

schematically different embodiments of diffuser systems that can be used in a gas extinguishing system according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1 schematically the basic structure of an exemplary embodiment of the gas extinguishing system 1 according to the invention is shown. The essential components of the gas extinguishing system 1 include, in particular, an inert gas source 2 and a diffuser system 4 connected or connectable to the inert gas source 2 via a pipeline system 3.

At the in FIG. 1 schematically illustrated embodiment of the gas extinguishing system 1 according to the invention, the inert gas source 2 is formed from a plurality of pressure cylinders 2.1, in which inert gas (here: preferably nitrogen) is stored in compressed form. For example, it is conceivable to use as commercially available 300 bar bottles with a capacity of 140 liters as pressure bottles 2.1.

It is assumed below that in the exemplary embodiments of the gas extinguishing system 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, nitrogen or a nitrogen-enriched gas mixture is used as the inert gas, although this is not to be considered as a restriction is. Of course, other inert gases or inert gas mixtures or extinguishing gases can be used for fire extinguishment.

In the exemplary embodiment of the gas extinguishing system 1 according to the invention FIG. 1 the individual pressure bottles 2.1 are each fluidly connected or connectable via a valve with flow regulator 5 to the end region of the conduit system 3 facing the inert gas source 2. In order to feed the inert gas stored in the pressure cylinders 2.1 (in this case preferably nitrogen) into the pipeline system 3, in the case of the in FIG. 1 schematically illustrated exemplary embodiment, the respective valves 5 of the pressure bottles 2.1 via a control bottle (here: 200 bar pressure bottle with a capacity of 80 liters) driven.

The inert gas source 2 and the piping system 3 of in FIG. 1 schematically illustrated embodiment of the gas extinguishing system 1 according to the invention are in the usual way, and as it is the case with gas extinguishing systems with extinguishing nozzles projected. Instead of extinguishing nozzles, however, a (nozzle-free) diffuser system 4 is used in the extinguishing gas extinguishing system 1 according to the invention.

As it is in particular the representation in FIG. 2 can be removed, the diffuser system 4 consists essentially of a diffuser tube 7 and a pressure reduction associated with the diffuser tube 8. The structure of the pressure reduction 8 is in the upper in FIG. 2 shown in detail detailed sectional view.

Accordingly, according to this embodiment, the pressure reduction 8, a diaphragm 9 and an adapter piece 10. About the adapter piece 10, the pressure reduction 8 with the inert gas source 2 remote end portion of the conduit system 3 is fluidly connected. The adapter piece 10 also serves to reduce the pressure 8 with the (in FIG. 2 upper) end portion of the diffuser tube 7 fluidly connect, so that the pressure reduction 8 is arranged with the pressure reduction 8 belonging to aperture 2 fluidly between the piping system 3 and the diffuser tube 7.

This in FIG. 2 schematically illustrated diffuser tube 7 is constructed in several parts and consists of individual segments 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3, wherein two adjacent each Segments 7.1, 7.2 and 7.2, 7.3 of the diffuser tube 7 are each connected in fluid communication with each other via a corresponding connector 11. The connecting piece 11 can, as in the lower detail view in FIG. 2 indicated, be provided with a corresponding seal 12; However, it is in the context of the present invention is advantageous to connect the connector 11 without seal 12 via a cold pressing with the corresponding end portions of the diffuser tube segments to be connected (see, for this purpose, the middle detail view in FIG FIG. 2 ).

This in accordance with the exemplary embodiment FIG. 1 used diffuser system 4 is designed as a non-reactive add-on component, so that it makes no difference from the design view of the gas extinguishing system 1, whether at the inert gas source 2 end facing away from the lead system 3, a conventional standard extinguishing nozzle, for example in the form of a Einlochdüse, or Diffuser system 4 is connected.

For this reason, in the exemplary embodiment of the inventive gas extinguishing system 1 according to FIG. 1 the diffuser system 4 is designed in such a way, on the one hand, that during a flood time designed with respect to the protection area 14, an iris pre-pressure measured in absolute bar pressure is at least twice as high as the internal pressure of the diffuser tube 7 and, on the other hand, during the designed flood time the internal pressure of the diffuser tube 7 is a maximum of 2 absolute bar.

These design conditions, which relate on the one hand to the orifice plate and, on the other hand, to the internal pressure in the diffuser tube 7, guarantee the desired freedom from reaction of the diffuser system 4.

In addition to this is in the in FIG. 1 schematically illustrated exemplary embodiment of the gas extinguishing system 1 according to the invention provided that with the diffuser tube 7, the inert gas in the gas extinguishing system 1 associated protection area 14 according to a uniform distribution function is releasable.

For this purpose, at the in FIG. 1 shown gas extinguishing system 1, that during the time allocated to the gas extinguishing system 1 associated protection area 14 flood time preferably from all in the lateral surface the diffuser tube 7 formed bores 13 of the same mass flow of inert gas is discharged.

The diffuser tube 7 used in the gas extinguishing system 1 according to the invention has a multiplicity of bores 13 provided in its lateral surface, via which, if required or in case of fire, at least part of the inert gas provided by the inert gas source 2 can be introduced into the protective region 14 assigned to the gas extinguishing system 1 , In this case, the diffuser tube 7 serves to deflect the flow direction of the inert gas from the longitudinal direction of the diffuser tube 7 into a radial direction with respect to the diffuser tube 7 and to release the inert gas into the protected area without reaction.

Preferably, and as in FIG. 2 indicated schematically, the measures provided for in the lateral surface of the diffuser tube 7 holes 13 each have a predetermined bore diameter, and it is also advantageous for manufacturing reasons, to arrange the holes 13 according to a fixed tube spacing grid.

In order to be able to realize the softest possible flooding of the gas extinguishing system 1 associated with the diffuser system 4, it is advantageous if preferably all provided in the lateral surface of the at least one diffuser 7 holes 13 are each formed so that the diffuser tube 7 supplied Inert gas is released during the designed flood time as a subcritical flow in the protection area 14. In any case, such a subcritical flow can be realized if the bores in each case-as seen through the wall thickness of the diffuser tube 7-consistently have a constant cross-section and therefore, in particular, there is no nozzle shape.

In the FIG. 3 schematically illustrated gas extinguishing system 1 substantially corresponds to the basic structure of the reference to the representations in the FIG. 1 described plant. In the following, to avoid repetition on a description of the same or equivalent components of the in FIG. 3 be omitted gas extinguishing system 1 shown. Rather, the following statements focus on aspects of the gas extinguishing system 1 according to the invention, which additionally in the in FIG. 3 schematically illustrated embodiment are provided.

As schematically in FIG. 3 shown, the gas extinguishing system 1 shown there is associated with a particular protection area 14, which is, for example, a small parts storage system, in particular a vertical high-density storage system (shuttle or paternoster system).

At the in FIG. 3 schematically illustrated gas extinguishing system 1, a total of two diffuser systems 4 are arranged on the piping system 3, the diffuser tubes 7 are each aligned vertically. The inert gas feed into the corresponding diffuser tubes 7 takes place in the in FIG. 3 The diffuser system 4 shown on the left side from below, while the inert gas is fed into the diffuser tube 7 of the diffuser system 4 shown on the right side from above.

In FIG. 3 Furthermore, a control device 15 is schematically indicated, which may be designed as part of a fire alarm control panel (BMZ). The control device 15 serves to correspondingly control the inert gas source 2, if necessary, in order to initiate an inerting of the protection area 14 assigned to the gas extinguishing system 1 or to ensure that a predefined inerting level is not exceeded in the protection area 14 for a predefined or predefinable time period.

For this purpose, at the in FIG. 3 schematically illustrated gas extinguishing system 1 a fire detection device 16 and a system for detecting the oxygen concentration in the protection area 14 is provided (not shown). The fire detection device 16 is preferably designed as an aspiratively operating system and designed to detect at least one fire parameter in the protection area 14.

Depending on the fire characteristic monitoring effected with the aid of the fire detection device 16, the control device 15 preferably automatically controls the inert gas source 2 in such a way that the oxygen concentration in the protection zone 14 is lowered to a predetermined inertization level in accordance with a predetermined event sequence within the flood time designed for the given protection zone 14 , It is advantageous if the preferably automatic initiation of the inert gas source 2 together with a corresponding Alerting takes place. This is shown in the schematic representation in FIG. 3 an alarm device 18 is provided.

Preferably, the gas extinguishing system 1 is further provided with the aforementioned system 17 for detecting the oxygen concentration in the protection area 14 to ensure that sufficient inert gas is supplied to the protection area 14 in order to be able to set and maintain the required inertization level in the protection area 14. For this purpose, it may be necessary to supply additional inert gas via a subsequent flooding.

In FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b different embodiments of diffuser systems 4 are shown, which can be used in the gas extinguishing system 1 according to the invention as a non-reactive attachment component.

In detail are in FIG. 4a show three different embodiments of the diffuser system 4, wherein in each case the supply of inert gas into the corresponding diffuser system 4 takes place from above. This type of inert gas feed from above is possible in particular for protection areas 14 whose height is not greater than 22 m.

In order to achieve the most uniform possible distribution of the inert gas in the protection area 14, is - as in FIG. 4a indicated - the diffuser tube 7 of the respective diffuser systems 4 arranged at different vertical heights. The vertical positioning of the diffuser tube 7 in the protection area 14 is effected by using at least one front tube 19 and / or by using at least one support tube 20. The or the Vorrohre 19 and the or the support tubes 20 are each carried out without holes in the lateral surface and serve primarily only for vertical positioning or for mechanical support of the corresponding diffuser tube 7.

In FIG. 4b a configuration of diffuser systems 4 is shown, which can be used in protection areas 14 whose height is greater than 22 m. In this case, it is advantageous if the mounting direction, ie the supply of inert gas in the corresponding diffuser systems 4, partially changed to distribute the corresponding diffuser tubes 7 over the entire height of the protection area 14.

In principle, the end region of the diffuser tube 7 opposite the pressure reduction is to be completed. This is usually done with the help of a cap 21 of a piece pipe 20 or the like conclusion.

The at least one diffuser system 4 used in the gas extinguishing system 1 according to the invention is designed to distribute the extinguishing agent / inert gas, in particular nitrogen, in the protected area 14 (extinguishing area of small parts storage systems) evenly with minimum flow load. The diffuser system 4 in the gas extinguishing system 1 structurally assumes the function of the standard extinguishing nozzle usually used, supplemented with the function of deflection and fine distribution of the inert gas. The diffuser system 4 represents the final component of the gas extinguishing system 1 before the inert gas enters the protective area 14.

The solution according to the invention is characterized in particular by the fact that the required project planning specifications and design methodology for the diffuser system 4 - insofar as the configurations relate to the structure and structure of the gas extinguishing system outside the protected area 14 - are no different from the standard system with extinguishing nozzles.

The pressure reduction 8 belonging to the diffuser system 4 represents the system interface between the high-pressure part of the gas extinguishing system 1 and the diffuser pipe 7. The pressure reduction 8 separates the pressure-loaded area in the piping system 3 (usually up to 60 bar) from the low-pressure area in the diffuser pipe (maximum) 1 bar overpressure).

According to a specific embodiment of the diffuser system 4 according to the invention, the diffuser pipe 7 is formed from a straight stainless steel pipe DN 50 open at both ends, at the beginning of which the pressure reduction 8 is arranged. Up to 220 holes with a diameter of 3.0 mm are formed on one section of the stainless steel tube, which are arranged radially in a 50 mm grid in a line. Due to the pressure reduction 8, the inert gas flows into the diffuser tube 7 and then exits radially uniformly from the holes 13.

The flood time designed with regard to the protection area 14 is specified in the respective national regulations, for example in the corresponding VdS guidelines issued by German non-life insurers.

For example, for small parts storage systems that have not yet been approved by the VdS for device protection, the diffuser systems 4 are to be designed according to VdS 2380 room protection. The space protection according to VdS 2380 describes the specifications for inert gas extinguishing systems to minimize the risk of fire in general rooms with different fire load (fire products) and various sources of ignition. The directive refers to the extinction by inert gases and inert gas mixtures.

According to VdS 2380, the type of fire risk determines the flood time (passage of 95% design concentration extinguishing gas) for small parts storage systems with a maximum of 60 or 120 seconds, furthermore the design concentration and the holding time of 10 minutes or 20 minutes.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawings, but results from a synopsis of all the features disclosed herein.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Gas extinguishing system

2

inert gas

2.1

Pressure bottle / pressure vessel

3

Piping

4

diffuser system

5

Valve with pressure reducer

6

control bottle

7

diffuser tube

7.1, 7.2, 7.3

Segemente of the diffuser pipe

8th

pressure reduction

9

cover

10

adapter piece

11

joint

12

poetry

13

drilling

14

the scope

15

control device

16

Fire detection device

18

alarming device

19

An exhaust pipe

20

support tube

21

graduation

Claims (15)

1. A gas extinguishing system (1) for a predefined protected area (14), particularly in the form of a gridded structural system such as for example a small-parts storage system, wherein the gas extinguishing system (1) comprises the following:

   - an inert gas source (2), designed to provide inert gas at least during a flooding period configured for the protected area (14); and

   - a diffuser system (4) fluidly connected or connectable to the inert gas source (2) by a tubing system (3), wherein the diffuser system (4) comprises the following:

   - at least one diffuser tube (7) having a plurality of drill holes (13) provided in the surface of the diffuser tube (7) through which at least a portion of the inert gas provided by the inert gas source (2) can be introduced radially into the protected area (14) relative to the longitudinal direction of the diffuser tube (7); and

   - a pressure reducer (8) allocated to the at least one diffuser tube (7) comprising a baffle (9), wherein the pressure reducer (8) is fluidly disposed between the tubing system (3) and the at least one diffuser tube (7),

   wherein the diffuser system (4) is designed such that a primary baffle pressure measured in absolute bar is at least twice as high as the internal pressure of the diffuser tube (7) during the configured flooding period, and that the internal pressure of the diffuser tube (7) during the configured flooding period amounts to a maximum of 2 bar absolute.
2. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to claim 1,
   wherein the at least one diffuser tube (7) is designed such that the same mass flow of inert gas is preferably discharged from all of the drill holes (13) formed in the surface of the at least one diffuser tube (7) during the dimensioned flooding period.
3. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to claim 1 or 2,
   wherein the respective drill holes (13) provided in the surface of the at least one diffuser tube (7) exhibit a predefined bore diameter, and wherein the plurality of drill holes (13) provided in the surface of the at least one diffuser tube (7) are preferably further arranged according to a fixed bore spacing grid.
4. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein preferably all of the drill holes (13) provided in the surface of the at least one diffuser tube (7) are respectively designed to release the inert gas into the protected area (14) during the dimensioned flooding period as a subcritical flow.
5. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein preferably all of the drill holes (13) provided in the surface of the at least one diffuser tube (7) consistently exhibit - as seen across the thickness of the wall of the diffuser tube (7) - a constant cross section.
6. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the diffuser system (4) is designed such that - relative to the bore surface - the amount of inert gas released per second into the protected area (14) through each individual drill hole (13) of the at least one diffuser tube (7) during the configured flooding period does not exceed a predefined value of 4.86 x 10⁵ liter / (s x m² bore surface), preferably 4.01 x 10⁵ liter / (s x m² bore surface), measured at 20° C and 1.013 bar.
7. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the diffuser system (4) is designed such that - relative to the internal cross-sectional area of the at least one diffuser tube (7) - the total amount of inert gas released per second into the protected area (14) through the drill holes (13) of the at least one diffuser tube (7) during the configured flooding period does not exceed a predefined value of 2.92 x 10⁵ liter / (s x m² internal cross-sectional area), preferably 2.83 x 10⁵ liter / (s x m² internal cross-sectional area), measured at 20° C and 1.013 bar.
8. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein nitrogen or a nitrogen-enriched gas mixture is used as the inert gas, and wherein the amount of inert gas released per second into the protected area (14) through each individual drill hole of the at least one diffuser tube (7) during the configured flooding period does not exceed a predefined value of 0.004 kg/s, preferably 0.0033 kg/s; and/or wherein nitrogen or a nitrogen-enriched gas mixture is used as the inert gas, and wherein the diffuser system (4) is further designed such that the total amount of inert gas released per second into the protected area (14) through the drill holes (13) of the at least one diffuser tube (7) during the configured flooding period does not exceed a predefined value of 0.75 kg/s, preferably 0.726 kg/s.
9. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the inert gas source (2) comprises at least one inert gas pressure tank in which the inert gas is stored in compressed form, preferably at 200 or 300 bar.
10. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein particularly for the vertical positioning of the at least one diffuser tube (7) in the protected area (14), the diffuser system (4) further comprises at least one fluidly connected head pipe (19) arranged between the pressure reducer (8) and the diffuser tube (7) through which inert gas is piped from the pressure reducer (8) to the diffuser tube (7) as needed.
11. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein particularly for mechanically supporting the diffuser tube (7) in the protected area (14), the diffuser system (4) further comprises at least one support tube (20) which terminates the at least one diffuser tube (7).
12. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the at least one diffuser tube (7) is configured as a straight tube without bends, angles or T-pieces.
13. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the at least one diffuser tube (7) is formed from a plurality of separately formed segments (7.1, 7.2, 7.3), wherein the plurality of separately formed segments (7.1, 7.2, 7.3) are preferably fluidly connected to one another by means of a cold-press connection.
14. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the gas extinguishing system (1) further comprises the following:

    - a fire detection device (16), particularly of aspirative design, designed to detect at least one fire characteristic in the protected area (14); and

    - a control device (15) designed to preferably automatically control the inert gas source (2) as a function of the fire characteristic monitoring so as to lower the oxygen concentration in the protected area (14) to a predefined inerting level according to a predefined sequence of events within the flooding period configured for the given protected area (14) and preferably maintain it at that level for a predefined dwell time.
15. The gas extinguishing system (1) according to claim 14,
    wherein at least one system for detecting the oxygen concentration in the protected area (14) is further provided.

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