ES1228821U - Fire extinguisher for high intensity and high temperature fires. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Fire fighting pump for high intensity and high temperature fires characterized by being mounted on a chassis of a heavy vehicle (truck) that will preferably be of the type BFP (heavy forest pump) or BRP (heavy rural pump) and that preferably It will have optional four-wheel drive. Also characterized by having a water tank (1) and a separate hopper for solid compositions (2) so that they are separated and can be mixed with water in the appropriate proportion and driven at the time of use. The calculations of the dimensions of both should be carried out in the most favorable way possible taking into account the proportions of the mixtures of the compositions, it being preferred that the solid composition can harbor a charge to form the resulting fluid composition with at least two water tanks, given the easier to recharge it. The water tank (1) and the hopper of solid substances (2) will preferably be distributed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle so that the variation of the amount of content in any one of the receptacles does not alter its stability. Also characterized by having a feeding system (6) located in the hopper and a mixing system (7) of the solid substances contained in the hopper with water so that it is variable in dosage. Being able to use water exclusively if it is not necessary to use solid compositions. Also characterized by having a hydraulic pump drive system (3), according to the viscosity ranges of the fluids to be used and the necessary working pressures. The hydraulic pump will be suitable for sludges or fluids of a certain viscosity and can also be used only with water if required, and will preferably be powered by a mechanical coupling, power take-off (4), derived from the vehicle's transmission (5). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Fire extinguisher for high intensity and high temperature fires.

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a fire extinguisher that is especially indicated for high intensity and high temperature fires, where traditional fire extinguishing systems do not have the capacity to act. Situation is common in the great fronts of large forest fires (GIF).

This fire engine could also be used in industrial or other types of fire, which, because it is of high intensity, exceeds the extinguishing capacity of traditional means, such as wheel deposits, large accumulations of combustible materials, etc. As long as the fuel is chemically compatible with the water.

The present invention ensures, improves and develops the method of utilization of the extinguishing and protective composition for high intensity and high temperature fires proposed in the patent application P201900026.

It is also proposed as an improvement in the method of using the flame retardant compositions developed by patents ES2310498B1 and ES2556912B2, as well as any other of the same nature, as will be detailed throughout the description.

Sector of the technique

The present invention relates to a fire pump for high intensity fire extinguishing and is applicable in the field of fire extinguishing.

Background

In the last decades and even more in recent years, a series of factors among which one could find the abandonment of rural areas, deficiencies in forest policies and rural development along with climate change have produced a continuous change in forest fires. The number of large forest fires, GIF, as well as the surface and virulence of these have not stopped growing year after year.

The specialists in the matter have been creating a classification based on the size and virulence of these that has not stopped increasing starting to be considered since 2016 to the most violent and destructive of these, fires of the sixth generation. This type of fire is difficult to fight or controllable because they greatly exceed the extinction capacity they are anarchic and unpredictable and they are assuming an authentic civil emergency all! where they develop.

The extinction capacity with traditional methods based on water is calculated around 10,000 kw / m having been measured in some of the last fires such as Pedrogao in Portugal, for example, peaks of up to 238,000 kw / m and an average of 138,000 kw / m then considered fires totally outside the extinguishing capacity and exceeding this at times up to almost 24 times.

The impossibility of stopping these powerful fronts is aggravated by the large increase in the urban forest interface produced in the last decades and turn these fires into a genuine civil emergency. We have recent examples of hundreds and even thousands of homes razed to the fires of Santa Rosa 2017 (California), Paradise 2018 (California), Fort Me Murray 2016 (Canada), Portugal 2017, Greece 2018, ... in which the fire was internal in the interface and it was impossible to stop it.

Traditional extinction methods based on extinction with water or improved with short-term retardants (foaming) are totally ineffective in attacking large GIF fronts due to the limited properties of extinction and thermal absorption of water and the large energy that these fronts give off so that the extinction only happens to be possible in secondary fronts.

The most effective indirect methods such as firebreaks are difficult to use on many occasions due to the particular climatic conditions in which they develop and even generate these fires, modifying the climate on a regional scale, creating great currents of winds sometimes from hundreds of kilometers by the great currents. existing convective and the zonal depression they produce. In many cases, the large increase in the urban forest interface also represents a great added danger for the use of these techniques, which is why they are often impossible to use.

The short term retardants (foaming) improve the properties of the water by lowering the surface tension, providing it with more adherence and adding air, which makes it easier to stick to the fuels, preventing it from draining, improving the cooling effect, protection and suffocation.

Even this improvement is not enough to try to directly extinguish the large flame fronts of the GIF because the thermal absorption is similar to that of water, it evaporates quickly and a large percentage of it also ends up in the ground without perform any function, so that its effect of suffocation and protection is also quite limited.

The main short-term retardants used have proven to be polluting and harmful to aquatic fauna, so it is not advisable to use them on a large scale.

In the sixties began to use long-term chemical retardants based generally on ammonium polyphosphate. Ammonium polyphosphate is a flame inhibitor that interrupts the chain reaction. This is recognized as an effective solution in indirect attack to large fronts of flames and in the use in direct attack with aerial means. However nowadays its use is totally discouraged by the scientific community for the contamination of the aculferos and its harmful effects on the aquatic fauna and the alterations that it produces in the germination of the plants.

Recently, in a totally innovative line, an Aragonese company, Sallenfire, has developed two fire extinguishing products based on the application of water with different minerals and other substances with properties of long-term retardants and an approximate proportion of 45% solid matter.

Patent ES2310498B1 describes a protective and fireproof composition composed of water, calcium carbonate, preservative, vegetable binder and calcium sulphate.

The patent ES2556912B2 describes a fireproof composition composed of water, preservative, vegetable glue, glass microspheres, talc and silica sand.

These compositions being very effective and having long-term retardant properties, however, some difficulty is encountered in their use with conventional extinguishing media, as well as in their transportation.

In the mentioned patents, the composition is previously mixed with water in an approximate proportion of 45% by weight of composition and 55% by weight in water. The use of the compositions is carried out with conventional fire extinguishers, these pumps having been designed to work with water or mixed with short term retardants (foaming agents).

This use is very forced because the impulsion systems of fire extinguishers are normally centrifugal rotary pumps designed to work with water, not being suitable for work with slurries, viscous fluids or solid particles.

This fact caused problems and wear in the pumpers by the use of the composition of the patent ES2310498B1 which caused a change and improvement of the composition with the patent ES2556912B2 since talc is less aggressive than calcium carbonate and produces fewer problems. Even these hydraulic pumps are not suitable for this type of composition.

On the other hand the permanence in the deposit of the pumpers of the already mixed composition, with a solid part close to 45% can produce decantation and solidification and even more in periods of little work or between forest bells, in which the pumpers must remain prepared but almost do not act.

The present invention proposes a work system suitable for this type of compositions consisting of a solid part mixed with water. With the pomp proposed in the present invention the composition and the water are used separately mixing during its use and only if necessary. Being able to extinguish with water only if the intensity of the front does not require the use of composition.

Improving therefore the loglstica relative to the storage, transport, cheapening costs and improving his utilization.

In a line of development similar to the mentioned patents, the patent application P201900026 was made. Consisting of an extinguishing and protective composition for high intensity and high temperature fires. Composed of a fibrous clay selected from Sepiolite and Paligorskita, a stabilizer of the solution, a light insulating arid and a natural polymer compatible with the fibrous clays.

Said composition has great extinguishing properties by suffocation and separation of the flame, thermal absorption and protection and is used in the form of viscous fluid or light and adherent gel once mixed with water in the proper proportion (10 to 20% by weight of composition). and 80 to 90% by weight of water) just before use. This composition has great properties as a long-term retardant.

The pomp proposed in the present invention develops ensures and improves the method of use of this composition. Ensures mixing in the required proportion at the time prior to its use, performs the impulsion by pumps compatible with viscous fluids and improves its projection on fuels if necessary.

With regard to the systems of firefighting fire engines, today's development has been linked to the automation of the systems and if it has been progressively introducing deposits of short-term retardants, sparkling . Today, almost all fire extinguishing pumpers incorporate foam deposits, which usually go in the form of a gel and include dosing and injection systems in the water in the required proportion.

The novelty of the line proposed by the aforementioned patents of long-term retardants with a mineral base, means that nothing has been developed in this regard, or there is no knowledge of it or references have been found. In fact, for this same reason its use has been forced in conventional fire extinguishers, not being the most adequate.

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a fire extinguishing pumper especially suitable for high intensity fires and high temperatures that exceed the extinguishing capacity of conventional means of fire extinguishing.

The fire extinguishing pumper proposed in the present invention is characterized by having a water tank and a hopper for solid compositions so that they are completely independent and are mixed only if required at the time of use in the proper proportion .

Fire extinguishing compositions with long-term retardant properties such as those proposed in patents ES2310498B1, ES2556912B2 and patent proposal P201900026 can thus be formed. Compositions that carry a proportion of water and a proportion of solid composition. Ensuring its good condition for long term avoiding caking and obstructions in vehicle deposits.

Also characterized by carrying a system of alimentation, mixing and special impulsion for viscous fluids resulting. Characterized also by having a pneumatic system to help the projection of the extinguishing fluid.

The pumper is mounted on a chassis of a heavy vehicle (truck) that will preferably be of the BFP type (heavy forest pump) or BRP (heavy rural pump) and preferably will have traction to the four wheels optionally operable.

The pumper is characterized by having a water tank (1) and a hopper (2) intended for solid compositions. The calculations of the dimensions of both must be carried out as favorably as possible taking into account the proportions of the mixtures of the compositions, it being preferred that the solid composition can hold charge to form composition with at least two water deposits, given the greater ease to recharge this.

Both the solid hopper (2) and the water tank (1) are preferably distributed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle so that the variation of the amount of content in any one of the receptacles does not alter the stability of this .

The impulsion system, hydraulic pump (3), will be an impulse system suitable for slurries or fluids of certain viscosity and will be driven preferably by a mechanical coupling (4), PTO, derived from the transmission of the vehicle (5).

The hydraulic pump (3) must be consistent with the viscosity of the fluids to be used and the necessary working pressures being selected from a rotary pump suitable for slurries or viscous fluids, helical screw pump or hydraulic piston pump. If necessary, if a worm screw or piston pump is used, it can have a bypass system to absorb overpressures.

The hydraulic pump (3) must be located at a level lower than the water tank (1) to favor the aspiration of it.

The hopper intended for solid composition (2) should preferably have at its bottom a feeding system (6) preferably formed by a worm preferably calculated according to the amount of substance necessary to move in proportion to the revolutions of this and in proportion to the revolutions and flow of the pump so that the proportions are adjustable and controllable. This will push the solid composition contained in the hopper towards a mixing chamber (7) prior to the hydraulic pump (3) through an adjustable valve (8).

Both the feeding system (6), and the adjustable valve (8), must be able to be actuated to act jointly and proportionally to the hydraulic pump to perform mixing and impulsion of composition in the required proportion or disconnected to allow the impulsion exclusive water by the hydraulic pump (3).

The feeding system (6) will preferably be moved by a mechanical coupling, power take-off (4), from the transmission of the vehicle (5).

The outlet valve (8) of the composition to the mixing chamber will preferably be adjustable so as to be open, closed or vary its opening so as to allow varying the percentages of the mixtures to the required proportion and will be preferably operated from electric or pneumatic form.

It will also be preferred that the regulation of the mixture is established by a speed variator system (9) in the mechanical coupling (4) from the transmission that gives mobility to the power system (6) or by some other system of regulation of most recommended mixtures.

A mixing chamber (7) is located prior to the hydraulic pump (3) and preferably on its axis, which can be dynamic or static. The mixing chamber (7) will have a direct water inlet from the tank through an opening valve (10) preferably pneumatic or electric drive (tank opening).

The mixing chamber (7) will also have an entry of the solid composition coming from the composition hopper (2) through the adjustable valve (8) that will be arranged in such a way as to avoid the return by providing a certain venturi effect.

If necessary for the viscosity of the fluids of the resulting composition to be used, the pumper will have a pneumatic system to support the projection in a similar way to the systems of plastering machines or shotcrete equipment.

The compressor (11) will be driven preferably by a mechanical coupling derived from the transmission of the vehicle (4), by an electric motor or by an independent motor of explosion.

This will have some pressure boilers (12) and a minimum flow and pressure depending on the work to be done.

The output of the resulting composition of the hydraulic pump (13) will be made by one or several outputs with fittings that can be of the barcelona, Storz, guillemln or any other used by any fire extinguishing body can be of diameter 25, 32 , 40, 45 or any other advisable.

On the back of the pumper, it will be attempted to place large reels of hose (16) preferably of automatic collection by electric motor and preferably of the type semirrlgido of the diameter and working union used being advisable to disposition in sections of 20 m maximum approximately to be able to always use the hose sections minimum necessary.

In case of using a pneumatic system to support the projection, a spool with a pneumatic and hydraulic hose joint (17) will be used, each one with its respective fittings and advisable also in approximate stretches of 20 m.

In case of using pneumatic support to the projection, a mixed lance of the type used in the shotcrete equipment, of joint use of the resulting composition and air pressure should be used for the projection.

The pumper will preferably have a centralized control panel (15) from which the power take-off of the hydraulic pump (4) can be activated and the tank opening valve (10), the power take-off of the power system, will be activated. alimentation (4) where appropriate, the opening or regulation of the adjustable valve of the composition hopper (8), the revolutions and pressure of the hydraulic pump (3), drive and regulation of the pneumatic system (11,12), control of the proportion of the mixture through the opening of the adjustable valve (8), control of the speed variator of the power system (9) or any regulation system chosen to achieve the adequate proportion, etc.

It is advisable that the pumper has a reserve tank of at least 200 l for cleaning the mixing chamber, the pump and the hose sections used.

Brief description of the drawings

In Figure 1, a summary diagram with hydraulic symbols of the pumper system is drawn, according to the description made.

In figure 2 the pumper is drawn from top view to appreciate the approximate distribution of the main systems of this.

Example of use mode

It is desired to form a fireproof protective barrier over a wooded area prior to the arrival of a large flame front in a high intensity GIF for the defense of a forest urban interface area.

The pumper is loaded with 2700 I of water, 200 I of an auxiliary cleaning tank, and 800 kg of composition of the patent proposal P201900026 inside a covered cubic meter hopper located in the center of the vehicle. In such a way that we have enough composition to form more than 6000 m liters of retardant gel with two water deposits.

After placing the pumper in the work area, the vehicle is left running and immobilized. From the rear area the power take off of the hydraulic pump that automatically opens the tank opening is activated. Three stretches of 20 m of semirrigid hydraulic and pneumatic joint hose of the reel are deployed since it is necessary to improve the projection to reach the height of the trees.

Once the sections are deployed, a mixed lance is connected and connected to the pump. The feed system of the hopper is connected, the adjustable valve opens, the feed system is graduated to 13%. The stop valve of the hydraulic pump is opened and the necessary pressure is adjusted. The pneumatic system is activated by graduating it at 3 bar to improve the projection.

At the tip of the spear, a viscous composition is projected, aided with pressurized air with a mixed lance on the vegetal barrier that is to be ignited. The gel of the extinguishing composition long-term retardant, due to its special properties, remains attached to the fuel igniting it.

Once the work is finished, the pneumatic system and the feeding system are stopped. The adjustable valve of the hopper is closed and the hydraulic pump is stopped closing the tank opening.

For the cleaning of the system, some cleaning foam balls are placed in the connection of the pump with the used sleeve and the hydraulic pump and the tank opening are again connected for a couple of minutes to clean it. The great hydrophilicity of the composition causes the water to dissolve the composition residues contained in the pump.

Claims (11)

1. Fire extinguishing pump for high intensity and high temperature fires characterized by being mounted on a chassis of a heavy vehicle (truck) that will preferably be of the BFP (heavy forest pump) or BRP (heavy rural pump) type and that preferably It will have traction to the four wheels operable of optional form. Also characterized by having a water tank (1) and an independent hopper intended for solid compositions (2) so that they are separated and can be mixed with water in the proper proportion and driven at the time of use. The calculations of the dimensions of both will preferably be made in the most favorable possible manner taking into account the proportions of the mixtures of the compositions, it being preferable that the solid composition can harbor charge to form a resultant fluid composition with at least two water reservoirs, given the best facility to recharge this. The tank of water (1) and the hopper of solid substances (2) are preferably distributed symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle so that the variation of the amount of content in any one of the receptacles does not alter the stability of this. Also characterized by having a feeding system (6) located in the hopper and a mixing system (7) of the solid substances contained in the hopper with the water so that it is of variable dosage. Water can be used exclusively if it is not necessary to use solid compositions. Characterized also by having an impulsion system, hydraulic pump (3), according to the viscosity ranges of the fluids to be used and the necessary work pressures. The hydraulic pump will be suitable for sludges or fluids of a certain viscosity and can also be used only with water if required and will preferably be driven by a mechanical coupling, power take-off (4), derived from the transmission of the vehicle (5). 2. Fire extinguishing pump according to claim 1, in which the drive system, hydraulic pump (3), of the water or fluids resulting from mixing the water with the substances in the hopper (2) will be selected from among the pumps. suitable rotary for slurries or viscous fluids, helical screw pump or hydraulic piston pump. The hydraulic pump (3) will preferably be located at a lower level than the water tank to favor the aspiration thereof. 3. The fire extinguishing machine according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the selected drive system (3) will be a rotary hydraulic pump suitable for slurries or viscous fluids, capable of transporting solid particles according to the compositions used. 4. Fire extinguishing pump according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the selected drive system (3) will be a hydraulic pump of the helical screw or Arquimedes screw type, which can carry a suitable bypass system if necessary. to avoid overpressure. 5. Fire extinguishing pump according to claims 1 and 2, in which the selected drive system (3) will be a hydraulic pump of the hydraulic piston pump type, being able to carry, if necessary, a suitable bypass system to avoid overpressures. . 6. Fire extinguishing pump according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the feeding system (6) is preferably formed by a worm screw, preferably calculated according to the amount of substance necessary to displace in proportion to the revolutions of this and in proportion to the revolutions and flow rate of the pump so that the proportions are adjustable and controllable. This will be moved by a mechanical coupling, PTO (4), from the transmission of the vehicle (5). The compositions will exit the hopper preferably through a valve (8). The composition output valve can be open or closed and will preferably be driven electrically or pneumatically. 7. Fire extinguishing pump according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet valve of the composition (8) is an adjustable valve that can be open, closed or its opening varied in a regulated and controlled manner to vary the percentages of the mixtures to the required proportion. This will be preferably driven electrically or pneumatically. 8. Fire extinguishing pump according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mixing of the water contained in the tank (1) with the solid substances of the hopper (2) will be carried out in a mixing chamber (7) located before the impulsion system, hydraulic pump (3), and preferably located on the same axis can carry mechanisms to promote mixing that can be static or dynamic operation. Being moved preferably in this last case by the same transmission shaft that gives mobility to the hydraulic pump (3). The mixing chamber (7) will have a direct water inlet from the water tank (1), through an opening valve (10) preferably pneumatic or electric drive (tank opening) and will also have an inlet of the solid composition coming from the composition hopper (2) through a composition inlet valve (8), it being preferred that it be arranged in such a way as to avoid the return providing a certain Venturi effect. 9. Fire extinguishing pump according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the system for regulating the mixture is established by a speed variator (9) in the mechanical coupling (4) from the transmission (5) that gives the mobility to the feeding system (6). In such a way that the feeding system rotates at the appropriate speed being regulated this in function of the proportions of the required mixtures independently but proportional to the impulse system (3). 10. Fire extinguishing engine according to any of the preceding claims further characterized by having a pneumatic system to support the projection of resulting fluids and formed by a compressor system (11) and boilers (12) of flow and pressure according to the work to be done by having one or several pressurized air outlets (14) next to the pump outlets (13) to allow their joint use if necessary. The compressor (11) will be driven preferably by a mechanical coupling (4) derived from the transmission of the vehicle (5). It will also be preferred that this be electrically operated or by an independent explosion motor. 11. Fire extinguishing pump according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more outlets of the hydraulic pump (13) forming the drive system according to the preceding claims are provided. These will preferably be selected from among the types Barcelona, Storz, Guillemln or any other used by any fire extinguishing body or any other type more suitable for slurries and viscous fluids. Being able to be selected in diameter 25, 32, 40, 45 or any other advisable, depending on the flow rates and working pressures and the viscosity of the resulting fluid.