GB1576869A

GB1576869A - Sawdust compositions

Info

Publication number: GB1576869A
Application number: GB2197977A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-05-25
Filing date: 1977-05-25
Publication date: 1980-10-15

Description

(54) SAWDUST COMPOSITION (71) 1, TREVOR MERLIN JAMES, a British Subject, of 65 Herbert Street, Pontardawe, Swansea, South Glamorganshire, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention concerns sawdust compositions.

It has already been proposed in British Patent No. 1411086 to use sawdust as a matrix in which is dispersed a fire resistant material, the resulting composition being itself fire resistant, and yet retaining many of the desirable properties of sawdust, such as ready availability and cheapness, absorbency for fluids, and easy disposability, including an ability to rot.

In that earlier Patent the fire resistant material proposed was sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate powder, or a sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate based fire extinguishing powder. Its proportion in relation to the sawdust was surprisingly small, in the range 1-10% by weight. While that composition has worked very well, it is really only satisfactory if the sawdust is that from English softwood.

Hardwoods, from any source, and many imported softwoods produce too fine a dust when sawn for satisfactory mixing with the powder recommended in the previous Patent.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved fire resistant or fire extinguishing sawdust composition.

According to the present invention there is provided a fire resistant or fire extinguishing sawdust composition comprising sawdust having dispersed therein from 1-10% by weight of dry powdered sodium chloride.

Sodium chloride, or common salt, is readily available in sufficiently fine powdered condition for efficient mixing with the finest of hardwood sawdusts and fine grade dry powdered salt is preferred. Also, salt is inexpensive in the quantities required to make this composition an effective anti-fire agent.

Its preferred proportions may be in the range 1-5% by weight, and as a particular example 2 or 3 ibs of dry powdered salt are mixed with one hundred-weight of sawdust.

When the dry powdered salt has been mixed with the sawdust the resulting composition can be used for any of the usual applications of sawdust, for example to soak up spillages, to provide an anti-slip surface, as a sweeping or cleaning aid, or for laying dust. The fire risk is negligible. Also, of course, it can be used to blanket fires. It is suitable for being blown mechanically, as well as being simply thrown manually onto a fire.

There is no requirement for water to be added to the mixture, nor for any treatment that will affect the natural moisture of the sawdust, although there are no detrimental effects if the mixture does come into contact with water, which might for example be used for extinguishing the same fire.

Additives may be included, although the mixture is effective enough for most purposes with just the two components.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. A fire resistant or fire extinguishing sawdust composition comprising sawdust having dispersed therein from 1-10% by weight of dry powdered sodium chloride.

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the salt content is less than 5% by weight.

3. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the sawdust is hardwood sawdust.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. (54) SAWDUST COMPOSITION (71) 1, TREVOR MERLIN JAMES, a British Subject, of 65 Herbert Street, Pontardawe, Swansea, South Glamorganshire, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention concerns sawdust compositions. It has already been proposed in British Patent No. 1411086 to use sawdust as a matrix in which is dispersed a fire resistant material, the resulting composition being itself fire resistant, and yet retaining many of the desirable properties of sawdust, such as ready availability and cheapness, absorbency for fluids, and easy disposability, including an ability to rot. In that earlier Patent the fire resistant material proposed was sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate powder, or a sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate based fire extinguishing powder. Its proportion in relation to the sawdust was surprisingly small, in the range 1-10% by weight. While that composition has worked very well, it is really only satisfactory if the sawdust is that from English softwood. Hardwoods, from any source, and many imported softwoods produce too fine a dust when sawn for satisfactory mixing with the powder recommended in the previous Patent. It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved fire resistant or fire extinguishing sawdust composition. According to the present invention there is provided a fire resistant or fire extinguishing sawdust composition comprising sawdust having dispersed therein from 1-10% by weight of dry powdered sodium chloride. Sodium chloride, or common salt, is readily available in sufficiently fine powdered condition for efficient mixing with the finest of hardwood sawdusts and fine grade dry powdered salt is preferred. Also, salt is inexpensive in the quantities required to make this composition an effective anti-fire agent. Its preferred proportions may be in the range 1-5% by weight, and as a particular example 2 or 3 ibs of dry powdered salt are mixed with one hundred-weight of sawdust. When the dry powdered salt has been mixed with the sawdust the resulting composition can be used for any of the usual applications of sawdust, for example to soak up spillages, to provide an anti-slip surface, as a sweeping or cleaning aid, or for laying dust. The fire risk is negligible. Also, of course, it can be used to blanket fires. It is suitable for being blown mechanically, as well as being simply thrown manually onto a fire. There is no requirement for water to be added to the mixture, nor for any treatment that will affect the natural moisture of the sawdust, although there are no detrimental effects if the mixture does come into contact with water, which might for example be used for extinguishing the same fire. Additives may be included, although the mixture is effective enough for most purposes with just the two components. WHAT I CLAIM IS:-

1. A fire resistant or fire extinguishing sawdust composition comprising sawdust having dispersed therein from 1-10% by weight of dry powdered sodium chloride.