WO2004103480A1 - Improvements in or relating to fire retardant compositions - Google Patents

Improvements in or relating to fire retardant compositions Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2004103480A1
WO2004103480A1 PCT/GB2004/002204 GB2004002204W WO2004103480A1 WO 2004103480 A1 WO2004103480 A1 WO 2004103480A1 GB 2004002204 W GB2004002204 W GB 2004002204W WO 2004103480 A1 WO2004103480 A1 WO 2004103480A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
composition
polyacrylate
alkali metal
ester
fire retardant
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2004/002204
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael Shepherd
Christopher Smith
Anthony Ward
Original Assignee
Magenta Chemicals Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Magenta Chemicals Ltd filed Critical Magenta Chemicals Ltd
Publication of WO2004103480A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004103480A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62D—CHEMICAL MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES OR FOR COMBATING OR PROTECTING AGAINST HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS; CHEMICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN BREATHING APPARATUS
    • A62D1/00—Fire-extinguishing compositions; Use of chemical substances in extinguishing fires
    • A62D1/0071—Foams
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62D—CHEMICAL MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES OR FOR COMBATING OR PROTECTING AGAINST HARMFUL CHEMICAL AGENTS; CHEMICAL MATERIALS FOR USE IN BREATHING APPARATUS
    • A62D1/00—Fire-extinguishing compositions; Use of chemical substances in extinguishing fires

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to improvements in or relating to fire retardant compositions.
  • a composition for a mobile liquid fire retardant which can be used in fire fighting in a similar method as currently employed with halogenated foams.
  • the present invention aims to provide a mobile liquid fire retardant concentrate that can be inducted as efficiently as foam concentrates with the benefit of causing no damage to the environment after use.
  • a fire retardant composition comprising 10 to 60% by weight of an alkali metal polyacrylate and 40 to 90% by weight of a carrier, the carrier comprising at least one ester and an emulsifier.
  • the alkali metal polyacrylate is sodium or potassium polyacrylate, more preferably sodium polyacrylate.
  • the alkali metal polyacrylate is present in granulated or powdered form.
  • the emulsifier comprises at least one non-ionic surfactant. More preferably, the emulsifier comprises at least two non-ionic surfactants.
  • the at least one ester is an ester of a long chain fatty acid. More preferably, the long chain fatty acid is a C 8 to C 20 fatty acid, even more preferably a Cio to C 16 fatty acid, most preferably a fatty acid having about 12 carbon atoms.
  • the at least one non-ionic surfactant is based on a long chain fatty acid.
  • the long chain fatty acid is a C 10 to C 4 fatty acid, even more preferably a C 16 to C 0 fatty acid, most preferably a fatty acid having about 18 carbon atoms.
  • the at least one ester and the at least one emulsifier are based on vegetable oils, which may be the same or different, such as rapeseed, sunflower seed or peanut oil more suitably a hydrogenated vegetable oil.
  • the oil is modified by esterification or by addition of hydrophilic groups to make them emulsifiable in water.
  • the fire retardant composition comprises 20 to 40% of alkali metal polyacrylate and 60 to 80% of carrier.
  • the number average molecular weight of the alkali metal polyacrylate is in the range of 400,000 to 600,000 preferably about 500,000.
  • compositions were prepared using from 10 to 60% of sodium polyacrylate or potassium polyacrylate, as a powder or granules under CAS numbers 9003-04-7 and 25608-12-2 respectively (for example, available from BASF Pic, P.O. Box 4, Earl Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, SK8 6QG, under the trade mark LUQUASORB 1161 or 1280) and from 40 to 90% of a composition available under the trade mark DW14 from Darent Wax Company Limited of 1 The Mills, Station Road, South Darenth, Kent DA4 9AU.
  • DW14 is, a blend of esters and non-ionic surfactants together with biocides and water.
  • a thixotrope is incorporated
  • DW14 comprises dodecanoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester [molecular formula C 0 H 40 O j CAS number 20292-08-4]; poly(oxy-l,2-ethanediyl),alpha-((9Z)-l-9-octadecenyl)- omega-(((9ZO-l-oxo-9-octadecenyl)oxy) [molecular formula (C 2 H 4 )nC 36 H 66 O 3 , CAS number 9005-07-6 (polyethyleneglycol dioleate)]; and sorbitan, mono-(9Z)-9- octadecenoate, poly(oxy-l,2-etanediyl)derivatives [molecular formula unspecified, CAS number 9005-65-6 (polyethyleneglycol sorbitan monooleate)].
  • the blended materials produce a thixotropic suspension of sodium polyacrylate (use of potassium polyacrylate is equally suitable) which becomes mobile when pumped through an inductor into a fire fighting hose employing water under pressure.
  • the hydrated sodium or potassium polyacrylate absorbs water to become a gelled dispersion which adheres to the material on fire to provide a cooling medium as well as acting to cut-off the oxygen supply to the fire to extinguish it.
  • the mobile liquid of the present invention can suffer trace amounts of water contamination as this is absorbed into the product without the efficacy of the super- absorbent polymer being affected.
  • the present invention can be used in various applications in fire fighting, e.g. in domestic and industrial fires using fire brigade tenders and hoses; in aeroplanes to drop large volumes of gelled water onto a bush or forest fire; in back packs for fighting fires in areas inaccessible to motorised fire fighting equipment; and stand alone fire extinguishers.
  • the invention can be incorporated into sprinkler systems to improve the efficiency of water use.
  • the residual material left behind is not harmful to the environment.
  • the toxicity and ecotoxicity safety data for sodium polyacrylate powder shows the chemical to be harmless, with an acute toxity (LD50 oral/rat) of >2000mg/kg.
  • the other ingredients are vegetable based and of food quality. In use, their dilution to less than 1% by volume results in an oil in water emulsion which is biodegradable. (OECD Method 401).
  • the sodium polyacrylate can be virtually removed from water mechanically in suitable effluent treatment plants. Due to the consistency of the polymer, dispersion into the environment is impossible and no negative effects on the environment may be anticipated.
  • the DW14 mixture comprises a mixture of vegetable oil-based esters and non-ionic surfactants.
  • the vegetable based ester acts as a medium to support the polyacrylate without interfering with the wetability of the superabsorbent polymer when mixed with water.
  • the two nonionic surfactants act as emulsifiers between the vegetable oil- based ester and the water when the fire retardant is inducted into fire fighting hoses or mixed in a tender or reservoir prior to use.
  • the ester/non-ionic surfactant blend provides a medium to disperse the alkali metal polyacrylate and prevent the hydration of the polymer due to low level water contamination prior to use.
  • the blend also protects the polymer from hydrating by water contamination picked up prior to use. Any water contamination is absorbed into the carrier which holds it in a water-in-oil emulsion..
  • the emulsion inverts, releasing the polymer for hydration and its intended purpose as a fire retardant.
  • Dispersions of the polymer in the carrier makes them more efficient to full hydration as individual particles have been separated and wetted out during the product manufacturing stage. This is because dry powder alkali polyacrylates powders and granules tend to adhere to each other and when hydrated can conglomerate into swollen lumps which reduces the efficiency of the product in use.
  • non-ionic emulsifiers there are numerous alternative non-ionic emulsifiers that are available and equally suitable. Preferred characteristics include being liquid at room temperature and easily dispersible and emulsifiable in cold water - that is, under the conditions in which fire retardant would be used.
  • the liquid product of the present invention enables the superabsorbent polymer to be inducted into fire hoses without blockage. An incidental water contamination to the product prior to use if safely absorbed into the product without damaging its efficacy.
  • the biocide used is non-specific and the added water content can be up to 20% as required.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to fire retardant compositions. In particular it relates to a composition for a mobile liquid fire retardant which can be used in fire fighting in a similar method as currently employed with halogenated foams. We describe a fire retardant composition comprising 10 to 60% by weight of an alkali metal polyacrylate and 40 to 90% by weight of a carrier, the carrier comprising at least at least one ester and an emulsifier, suitably comprising at least one non-ionic surfactant.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING.TO FIRE RETARDANT COMPOSITIONS
The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to fire retardant compositions. In particular it relates to a composition for a mobile liquid fire retardant which can be used in fire fighting in a similar method as currently employed with halogenated foams.
Previously proposed liquid fire-retardant systems based on halogen foams are thought to harm the environment and have been banned around the world. Most modern fire fighting brigades use inductors in their water hoses to incorporate the foam concentrates. It has been proposed to provide an environmentally friendly sodium or potassium polyacrylate system in a liquid form without the need to incorporate harmful halogenated foam systems. However, it has been found that such powder and granulated superabsorber materials block the inductors during incorporation and render the fire fighting inefficient.
The present invention aims to provide a mobile liquid fire retardant concentrate that can be inducted as efficiently as foam concentrates with the benefit of causing no damage to the environment after use.
According to the present invention, there is provided a fire retardant composition comprising 10 to 60% by weight of an alkali metal polyacrylate and 40 to 90% by weight of a carrier, the carrier comprising at least one ester and an emulsifier.
Preferably, the alkali metal polyacrylate is sodium or potassium polyacrylate, more preferably sodium polyacrylate.
Preferably, the alkali metal polyacrylate is present in granulated or powdered form.
Preferably, the emulsifier comprises at least one non-ionic surfactant. More preferably, the emulsifier comprises at least two non-ionic surfactants. Preferably, the at least one ester is an ester of a long chain fatty acid. More preferably, the long chain fatty acid is a C8 to C20 fatty acid, even more preferably a Cio to C16 fatty acid, most preferably a fatty acid having about 12 carbon atoms.
Preferably, the at least one non-ionic surfactant is based on a long chain fatty acid.
More preferably, the long chain fatty acid is a C10 to C 4 fatty acid, even more preferably a C16 to C 0 fatty acid, most preferably a fatty acid having about 18 carbon atoms.
Preferably, the at least one ester and the at least one emulsifier are based on vegetable oils, which may be the same or different, such as rapeseed, sunflower seed or peanut oil more suitably a hydrogenated vegetable oil. Suitably, the oil is modified by esterification or by addition of hydrophilic groups to make them emulsifiable in water.
Preferably the fire retardant composition comprises 20 to 40% of alkali metal polyacrylate and 60 to 80% of carrier.
Preferably, the number average molecular weight of the alkali metal polyacrylate is in the range of 400,000 to 600,000 preferably about 500,000.
The above and other aspects of the invention will now be explained in further detail with reference to the following example.
A range of compositions were prepared using from 10 to 60% of sodium polyacrylate or potassium polyacrylate, as a powder or granules under CAS numbers 9003-04-7 and 25608-12-2 respectively (for example, available from BASF Pic, P.O. Box 4, Earl Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, SK8 6QG, under the trade mark LUQUASORB 1161 or 1280) and from 40 to 90% of a composition available under the trade mark DW14 from Darent Wax Company Limited of 1 The Mills, Station Road, South Darenth, Kent DA4 9AU. DW14 is, a blend of esters and non-ionic surfactants together with biocides and water. A thixotrope is incorporated
DW14 comprises dodecanoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester [molecular formula C 0H40O j CAS number 20292-08-4]; poly(oxy-l,2-ethanediyl),alpha-((9Z)-l-9-octadecenyl)- omega-(((9ZO-l-oxo-9-octadecenyl)oxy) [molecular formula (C2H4)nC36H66O3, CAS number 9005-07-6 (polyethyleneglycol dioleate)]; and sorbitan, mono-(9Z)-9- octadecenoate, poly(oxy-l,2-etanediyl)derivatives [molecular formula unspecified, CAS number 9005-65-6 (polyethyleneglycol sorbitan monooleate)].
The blend proportions for DW14 were in the following ranges:
CAS number 20292-08-4 5-50wt%
CAS number 9005-07-6 5-50wt% CAS number 9005-65-6 5-50wt%
The blended materials produce a thixotropic suspension of sodium polyacrylate (use of potassium polyacrylate is equally suitable) which becomes mobile when pumped through an inductor into a fire fighting hose employing water under pressure. The hydrated sodium or potassium polyacrylate absorbs water to become a gelled dispersion which adheres to the material on fire to provide a cooling medium as well as acting to cut-off the oxygen supply to the fire to extinguish it.
The mobile liquid of the present invention can suffer trace amounts of water contamination as this is absorbed into the product without the efficacy of the super- absorbent polymer being affected.
The present invention can be used in various applications in fire fighting, e.g. in domestic and industrial fires using fire brigade tenders and hoses; in aeroplanes to drop large volumes of gelled water onto a bush or forest fire; in back packs for fighting fires in areas inaccessible to motorised fire fighting equipment; and stand alone fire extinguishers. The invention can be incorporated into sprinkler systems to improve the efficiency of water use.
The residual material left behind is not harmful to the environment. The toxicity and ecotoxicity safety data for sodium polyacrylate powder shows the chemical to be harmless, with an acute toxity (LD50 oral/rat) of >2000mg/kg. The other ingredients are vegetable based and of food quality. In use, their dilution to less than 1% by volume results in an oil in water emulsion which is biodegradable. (OECD Method 401).
The sodium polyacrylate can be virtually removed from water mechanically in suitable effluent treatment plants. Due to the consistency of the polymer, dispersion into the environment is impossible and no negative effects on the environment may be anticipated.
The DW14 mixture comprises a mixture of vegetable oil-based esters and non-ionic surfactants. The vegetable based ester acts as a medium to support the polyacrylate without interfering with the wetability of the superabsorbent polymer when mixed with water. The two nonionic surfactants act as emulsifiers between the vegetable oil- based ester and the water when the fire retardant is inducted into fire fighting hoses or mixed in a tender or reservoir prior to use.
The ester/non-ionic surfactant blend provides a medium to disperse the alkali metal polyacrylate and prevent the hydration of the polymer due to low level water contamination prior to use. The blend also protects the polymer from hydrating by water contamination picked up prior to use. Any water contamination is absorbed into the carrier which holds it in a water-in-oil emulsion.. During use, when the product is blended with water, the emulsion inverts, releasing the polymer for hydration and its intended purpose as a fire retardant. Dispersions of the polymer in the carrier, makes them more efficient to full hydration as individual particles have been separated and wetted out during the product manufacturing stage. This is because dry powder alkali polyacrylates powders and granules tend to adhere to each other and when hydrated can conglomerate into swollen lumps which reduces the efficiency of the product in use.
There are numerous alternative non-ionic emulsifiers that are available and equally suitable. Preferred characteristics include being liquid at room temperature and easily dispersible and emulsifiable in cold water - that is, under the conditions in which fire retardant would be used.
The liquid product of the present invention enables the superabsorbent polymer to be inducted into fire hoses without blockage. An incidental water contamination to the product prior to use if safely absorbed into the product without damaging its efficacy.
The biocide used is non-specific and the added water content can be up to 20% as required.

Claims

1. A fire retardant composition comprising 10 to 60% by weight of an alkali metal polyacrylate and 40 to 90% by weight of a carrier, the carrier comprising at least one ester and an emulsifier.
2. A composition as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the alkali metal polyacrylate is sodium or potassium polyacrylate, preferably sodium polyacrylate.
3. A composition as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the alkali metal polyacrylate is provided in granulated or powdered form.
4. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the emulsifier comprises at least one non-ionic surfactant.
5. A composition as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the emulsifier comprises at least two non-ionic surfactants.
6. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the at least one ester is an ester of a long chain fatty acid.
7. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the at least one ester is based on a vegetable oil.
8. A composition as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the vegetable oil is a hydro genated vegetable oil.
9. A composition as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the vegetable oil is one or more oils selected from rapeseed, sunflower, and peanut oil.
10. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9 wherein the oil is modified by esterification.
11. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9 wherein the oil is modified by addition of hydrophilic groups.
12. A composition as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the composition comprises 20 to 40% by weight of alkali metal polyacrylate and 60 to 80% by weight of carrier.
13. A composition as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the number average molecular weight of the alkali metal polyacrylate is in the range of 4000,000 to 6000,000 preferably about 5000,000.
PCT/GB2004/002204 2003-05-21 2004-05-21 Improvements in or relating to fire retardant compositions WO2004103480A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0311707.4 2003-05-21
GB0311707A GB0311707D0 (en) 2003-05-21 2003-05-21 Improvements in or relating to fire retardant compositions

Publications (1)

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WO2004103480A1 true WO2004103480A1 (en) 2004-12-02

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009012546A1 (en) * 2007-07-20 2009-01-29 Radix Assessoria E Consultoria Ltda. Blocking composition against fire action and advance in diverse surfaces, manufacturing and application process thereof
EP2082785A3 (en) * 2008-01-24 2010-07-14 Jaeniche, Wilhelm Extinguishing agent
US20100181084A1 (en) * 2007-07-20 2010-07-22 Carmo Helio Mauricio Do Blocking composition against fire action and advance in diverse surfaces, manufacturing and application process thereof

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6296781B1 (en) * 1997-05-02 2001-10-02 Biogenesis Enterprises, Inc. Fire retardant and fire extinguishing material

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6296781B1 (en) * 1997-05-02 2001-10-02 Biogenesis Enterprises, Inc. Fire retardant and fire extinguishing material

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009012546A1 (en) * 2007-07-20 2009-01-29 Radix Assessoria E Consultoria Ltda. Blocking composition against fire action and advance in diverse surfaces, manufacturing and application process thereof
US20100181084A1 (en) * 2007-07-20 2010-07-22 Carmo Helio Mauricio Do Blocking composition against fire action and advance in diverse surfaces, manufacturing and application process thereof
EP2082785A3 (en) * 2008-01-24 2010-07-14 Jaeniche, Wilhelm Extinguishing agent

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0311707D0 (en) 2003-06-25

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