WO2005054407A1

WO2005054407A1 - Fire extinguishing agent and treating agent preventing or diminishing fire danger

Info

Publication number: WO2005054407A1
Application number: PCT/YU2004/000009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Darko Pancev
Original assignee: Darko Pancev
Priority date: 2003-12-08
Filing date: 2004-05-24
Publication date: 2005-06-16
Also published as: RS97403A

Abstract

The invention falls in the sphere of chemistry and relates to fire extinguishing agent and treating agent preventing or diminishing fire danger. The subject invention has resolved the technical problem to obtain a solution whose active principles of its components allow speedier and more effective fire extinction, or, rather, slow it down or significantly improve the properties of the material to prevent ignition and burning. This would considerably diminish a possibility of fires and their damaging effects. This has been achieved by using a solution of the mixture of unhydrated calcium chloride (CaCl2), the wetting agent in weight proportions adjusted to the type of treated material. Immediately after this a hygroscopic layer is formed that effectively prevent the outbreak of fire, acts as a retarder or leads, together with water, to its more effective extinction.

Description

THE AGENT FOR TREATING MATERIAL EXTINGUISHING FIRE AND PREVENTING OR DIMINISHING FIRE DANGER

THE FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY Generally observed the subject of this invention falls in the sphere of chemistry and it specifically relates to chemical mixtures dissolved in water that humidify, cover or impregnate material for preventing or diminishing fire danger. Under the international classification of patents (Int.cl⁷⁾) the subject of this patent has been classified and marked with the basic classification symbol C 01F 5/00, which relates to calcium compounds and because of the retarding and fire proof effect on the materials on which those compounds are placed, it can be also marked with the secondary classification symbol E 09K 21/00 that defines fire proof mixtures. As the invention also relates to elimination of dust by humidification of its particles, which considerably diminishes possibilities of explosions, it may be marked with another secondary classification symbol E 2 IF 5/02 that relates to the agents for preventing or linking dust by humidification or spraying.

THE TECHNICAL PROBLEM The technical problem that is resolved by the subject matter is the following: How to find a solution whose active principles, its components, would fully or considerably enable speedier and more efficient fire extinction or, rather, slow it down or significantly improve the properties of the materials covered or impregnated with such a solution. Those properties should prevent ignition or burning and this would fully or significantly diminish a possibility of a fire and its effects. It would fully eliminate a possibility of explosions caused by dust and such a solution should be, at the same time, be absolutely safe for people, plants and animals and economically acceptable for widespread use.

THE STATE OF TECHNOLOGY It is well known that fire occurs when the substance that can burn is exposed to heat in the presence of oxygen. In this way, the temperature of the heated substance rises and when it reaches the ignition temperature it is then when fire occurs. It is also known that this temperature may be reached in several ways: a. By burning substance or object: - with a direct touch with flame or red-hot substance, - by releasing with great speed or :explosion. b. With chemical reactions: - between elements and compounds, - with a chemical or biological separation of some substances. c. By converting electric current to heat energy: - by using electric energy, - by atmospheric discharge, - by discharging static electricity. The burning process has been defined as a chemical process during which the burning substance fuses with oxygen and this releases heat and leads to the appearance of flames. The burning process is directly linked with the movement of molecules in the substance and depends on distance between them and their mutual attractive forces, the so- called cohesion forces. It is known that those forces are strongest in solid bodies and least strong in gasses. This is why we say that molecules of solid bodies "vibrate, or they move only in an oscillatory manner. It may be concluded that heat brought to a body influences the speed of molecule movement in it. Actually, this speed increases and when heat is taken away from a body the speed pf molecules falls. The value that characterizes internal kinetic energy of a substance is called temperature. The following conditions have to be met in order that the burning process can develop: - presence of the substance that may burn (substance fuel) - presence of the substance that helps burning (oxygen) - heat energy for reaching ignition temperature of inflammable substance. If we eliminate any of the above conditions or reduce its presence, fire possibility would be considerably smaller, burning becomes incomplete and fire danger is reduced to a minimum. In order to implement efficient protection from fire that constantly leads to great material losses and often to losses of human lives, normative, administrative, organizational/technical and other measures have to be taken to reduce damaging fire consequences. As a result of such situation, in the whole world there is an increasing number of specialized firms that are engaged in the manufacturing of fire-prevention agents and equipment. After analyzing the existing technical solutions presented in available patent documentation and solutions of those specialized firms for the manufacturing of fire- extinguishing equipment and agents that extinguish fire, prevent its outbreak and slow down the burning of substances that might come in touch with flames, the author, because he has supposed that they are hardly applicable, selective from substance type to type, costly, complex for manufacturing as they are obtained through a complicated technological process, discovered a universal agent solving the above defined technical problem. The author is not aware of any other technical solutions that are comparative to this patent application.

THE FUNADMENTAL NATURE OF THE INVENTION The fundamental nature of this invention, according to the author's idea, is that the obtained mixture is easily soluble in water and such a solution consists of the substances whose physical and chemical properties, after treating specific substance, allow a hygroscopic layer to be formed on its surface. This layer stays long on the surface establishing a dynamic balance between moisture absorption from the air and water evaporation from the surface layer of treated substance. In cases when treated substance is porous and hygroscopic, according to this invention, when the mixture is placed a thin layer of absorbed solution is formed due to which the effect of the mixture is even more long lasting. Actually, in such a case the placed solution layer acts as a retarder, namely it permanently slows down the burning process. The fundamental nature of this invention is also reflected in the fact that the solution, according to this invention, is successfully used in the form of watery solution or foamy substance for fire extinction of class "A" (fires of solid inflammable substances by creation of embers: wood, paper, straw, textile, coal, etc.) as it meets general conditions (it extinguishes efficiently, it extinguishes a great number of substances, it is stable during keeping and storage, it does not generate poisonous products during its decay, it does not maintain burning and its use is simple). The fundamental nature of this invention is also reflected in the fact that the fire extinguishing solution, according to this invention, has a lowered freezing point in relation to ordinary water and this considerably increases the effectiveness of extinction even at extremely low temperatures. The novelty of this patent is also that the solution, according to the author's idea, has a higher wetting power as water in it is the so-called "wet water" or "penetrating water" that has an ability to penetrate in fine pores of burning substance. This considerably increases effectiveness of flame extinction, especially in substances where it is necessary to extinguish the fire central part in the depth of the substance layer and in this way the fire extinguishing agent more easily reaches the point where the fire source is located. It is especially emphasized that its essential property, which makes it different from any other substances used as retarders or flame extinguishing agents, is the fact that a much smaller quantity of the fire extinguishing agent is required for its use (when compared to the quantity of water used during the classic method of fire extinction) and that it has a greater ability of spreading along the surface affected by fire. The novelty of this invention is also that it can be successfully used for extinguishing massive forest fires, or for prevention of their spreading. The solution, according to this invention, is particularly effective in fire extinction when large areas are treated and the barriers of specific width, which would be formed in the direction of expansion of those areas by treating areas that are not under fire, would represent fire-fighting tampon zones that would fully prevent flame transmission or, in cases of unfavorable conditions, would significantly reduce or slow it down. In the regions of expected fires, according to this invention, the preventive placing of the solution on most endangered localities would reduce fire outbreak to a minimum. The principle of extinction with this solution is reflected in the following: when the fire affected area is treated with this solution, the cooling of the burning substance occurs, heat is taken away until under the ignition point and further burning process ceases. During this process water from the solution reaches the gaseous state from liquidity, covers the burning substance and prevents, partially or wholly, penetration of oxygen from the air and performs smothering that stops further burning. It is well known that complete evaporation of 1/ of water forms around 1700/ of water vapor that envelops the burning substance in the form of vaporous cover. This reduces air drift and access of oxygen and achieves an additional effect on fire extinction. Eater from the solution becomes vapor at a constant vaporization temperature of 100° C and this means that the burning substance will have a constant temperature of 100° C until it has completely evaporated. Solution, according to this invention, may also be used as foam consisting of bubbles whose membrane is made of solution/emulsion whereas its inside is filled with air. Such foam is called aerial and is formed in one of the well known ways in two phases: the first phase includes creation of solution according to this invention and the second phase includes creation of foam from the obtained solution by means of comet pipes (foam jets; mobile or fixed, thrower-monitors or foam generators). Foam formed of solution, according to this stability, has stability within specific limits and this means that it is stable for a short time. It has been established through experiments that solution is resistant to burning and better properties of flow and slide that significantly increases success during fire extinction. With regard to other known technical solutions that deal with the problem of retarding effects on the burning process in a similar way, or with finding special substances achieving speedier, safer and more effective fire extinction in class "A", this invention has more advantages of which the most important are: - it is ecologically absolutely acceptable as during heating and evaporation it does not build up any substances dangerous or damaging for the health of people, animals and plants; - it is stable at all temperatures (- 10°C to 40°C) and this makes it applicable in nearly all weather conditions; - if it is in the form of water vapor it is possible to use it in all three ways (as a full jet, sprayed jet or water mist) so that according to need it may be used both as a cooling and smothering effect; due to reduced water resistance in pipes, CaCl₂ molecules decrease pulsation in the water layer closest to the wall of the pipe through which solution flows. This results in the effect of the so-called "sliding liquid" that allows almost doubly longer jet range (it is well known that jet range under specific pressure is one of the parameters defining quality of fire fighting liquid); - when it is used as foam it represents an extremely safe fire fighting agent; - after terrain treatment there is no hard crust and dust becomes hygroscopic and remains permanently on soil; low cost of production and simple application unlike all known classic agents that have used water as an agent for fire extinction.

A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is known that burning of a substance will stop when any of the conditions necessary for combustion is eliminated. It is also known that effects of fire fighting agents may be the following: - smothering (when the fire fighting substance is thrown into the central point of fire in the form of gas, mist or foam and thus cover the burning surface and prevent, partially or fully, access of oxygen from the air and eliminate one of the conditions that causes burning); - cooling (the fire fighting agent is brought in the central point of fire and it takes heat away from the burning substance (the moment the temperature of the burning substance is lowered under the ignition temperature, the burning process automatically stops); - anticatalytic that results from the ability of the fire fighting agent to prevent during the burning process oxidation of the burning substance with oxygen. The author's fundamental idea, concretized through this invention, is based on finding such fire fighting agent that would more or less act on all three effects of fire extinction and allow effective fire extinction of class "A". During realization of this idea the starting point has been the fact that water is the most widespread and particularly effective fire fighting agent. Water also represents a basis for obtaining a large number of new fire fighting agents, chemical and aerial foam first of all. Fire extinction with the solution, according to this invention, uses its principle of action. When thrown in the central point of fire, it covers the burning surface and takes heat away. It cools the surface and water, during its transformation from liquid to gaseous state, covers the area around the burning surface and prevents penetration of oxygen from the air and has a smothering effect on fire. By adding the mixture into water, according to this invention, whose basis is CaCl₂ and a specific wetting agent, a solution is obtained that after treatment of any material it covers it with a very thin layer establishing a dynamic balance between absorption of moisture from the air and evaporation of water from treated surfaces. When solid substances are in question, this solution covers easily and instantly, in a very thin layer, each pore and particle on its outer surfaces establishing a dynamic balance between moisture absorption from the air and evaporation of water from treated surfaces, pores or particles. In this way, inflammable substances constantly retain the necessary quantity of moisture on their surfaces or pores and this moisture successfully prevents such substances from burning. In case of long heat retention on those materials this moisture acts as a retarder. A thin but compact layer of solution, according to this invention that has been placed on a specific inflammable substance effectively prevents inflow of oxygen necessary for the outbreak of flames and burning process and in this way it prevents the outbreak and development of fire, or leads to its extinction. Based on many years of laboratory and practical testing, it has been noticed that the solution should be quantitatively and qualitatively changed or adjusted depending on its purpose in fire fighting protection in order to get better results and achieve greater effectiveness. For the purpose of easier understanding of the invention and its presentation showing how it is realized in practice, four examples are given in which the solution is used as a fire fighting agent of "A" class, fire fighting prevention of "A" class and impregnation of objects made of wood, paper, cardboard and textile in order to acquire the property of being non- inflammable or being an effective retarder.

Example 1.

Fire fighting agent of class "A " (solid porous substances: wood, rubber, plastics, paper, cardboard, textile, textile dust, coal, coal dust of dry plants, plant remnants, etc.) is the solution of the following composition: - 250 g - 350 g CaCl₂; - 5 ml - 30 ml of wetting agent - that is found on the market under the commercial name of PLURALFAC LF-120 BASF; - the solution remainder up to the volume of 1/ is water. Fire extinction, with the solution that is obtained with a simple mixing of the above components in water for 5 minutes, is carried out in one of the well known ways (full jet, sprayed jet or water mist). The shape of jets, pressure for making sufficient quantities of water mist and strength of pumps throwing solution from tanks to various ranges are determined by practical requirements in the field. It is necessary to mention that this solution cannot extinct fires where the burning substance is under voltage as well as fires of Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium, etc., or when the surface affected by fire has calcium oxide, sulphur and alkaline substances. After extinction with the solution according to this example, moisture is retained in the treated substance for a long time and it prevents residual fires (subsequent flames from insufficiently extinguished fires).

Example 2.

The agent used for realizing prevention of fire of class "A " (solid porous substances: wood, rubber, plastics, paper, cardboard, textile, textile dust, coal, coal dust of dry plants, plant remnants, etc.fis the solution of the following composition: - 150 g - 250 g CaCl₂; - 5 ml - 20 ml of wetting agent - that is found on the market under the commercial name of PLURALFAC LF-120 BASF; - the solution remainder up to the volume of 1/ is water. Prevention of ignition of solid porous substances and dust is realized in such a way that the surfaces of those substances or dust are treated with the solution obtained by a simple mixing of the above components with water, according to this example, in one of the well- known ways and with the well-known apparatus. After a certain time, depending on environment conditions, the surplus of moisture from treated surfaces evaporates and in the substance pores on them a sufficient quantity of moisture permanently remains and it makes treated surfaces hardly inflammable.

Example 3.

Impregnation of wood objects to become non-inflammable Despite a rapid development of technology that has led to the substitution of a large number of natural substances including wood, it has nevertheless remained an irreplaceable raw material that is still widely used for the making of furniture, in building industry, for making art crafts and as fuel. Today, wood is naturally dried (slower) after cutting or artificially (quicker) and is used in the form of wood pieces, veneer, plywood sheet and etc. Wood is material that is burns most frequently as an inflammable substance in the nature. The agent that is used for the impregnation of wood to become non-inflammable is the solution of the following composition: . 230 g CaCl₂ - 5 - 20 ml of wetting agent - that is found on the market under the commercial name of PLURALFAC-120 BASF; - the solution remainder up to the volume of 1 / is water. The process of impregnation is very simple and is carried out in the following manner: Wood objects (without the protecting coat) are soaked in the solution made of the components in the above mass proportions, according to this example, and are kept there for 24 hours. After this time wood is taken out of the solution and dried naturally. In this way, treated wood retains all previous usable properties but with impregnation it has become inflammable. It is necessary to mention that wood treated with the above mentioned solution significantly improves its quality as it retains constant moisture and therefore it does not warp. Warping is otherwise a side effect during wood drying. Wood impregnated in this way is also preventively protected from microorganisms, insects and rotting.

Example 4.

Impregnation of paper, cardboard and textile of natural fibers for the purpose of becoming non-inflammable.

The agent used for the impregnation of paper, cardboard and textile of natural fibers, which significantly improves non-inflammability of those substances, is the solution of the following composition: 230 g CaCl₂ 10 ml of glycerin CH₃H₅ (OH)₃; the solution remainder up to the volume of 1/ is water. Impregnation is carried out when raw materials are soaked in the solution made of the components compounded in the above mass proportions, according to this example, for 5 minutes. After this time they are taken out and dried naturally at room temperature. The materials impregnated in this manner fully retain the properties they have had before impregnation just because they have become non-inflammable during the above process. When for certain reasons impregnation is not possible to be carried out by soaking materials in the solution, according to this example, spreading of solution over the above materials is possible with sprayers or in some other known method of placement of solution. In this way, it is uniformly and compactly spread over the whole treated area. Based on experimental testing a table has been made with optimum quantities of spent solution for the impregnation of wood, cardboard, cotton and linen fabrics, paper and polystyrol.

Example 5. Economical agent for extinguishing forest fires and fires of class "A " when it is not necessary to achieve long moisturizing of terrain or substance. For the agent used for extinguishing forest fires and fires of class "A" in cases when there is an irrational moisturizing of terrains because of long prevention (terrains frequently exposed to natural wetting, or in cases when it is foreseen that massive rainfalls and washing off of the fire fighting agent from treated surfaces might occur after treatment with the mentioned solution) the author has envisaged the solution of the following composition that is effective during fire extinction, but considerably more economical in relation to previously mentioned examples: - 20 ml PLURALFAC LF-120 BASF; - 30 ml glycerin CH₃H₅ (OH)₃; - the solution remainder up to the volume of 1/ is water. Solution for the treatment of terrains and materials according to this example is obtained when the above components in the above mass proportions are mixed with water immediately before sending the fire fighting agent to the place of fire. To save time it is not necessary to carry out the mixing of solution as this will be done automatically as a result of movement of liquid in tanks during transportation in tank trucks, aircraft, choppers, etc.

THE METHOD OF INDUSTRIAL OR OTHER APPLICATION OF THIS INVENTION Industrial or other methods to obtain and apply the substance wetting solution in order to prevent or diminish fire danger, according to this invention, is absolutely possible according to parameters indicated in this description. Experts in the subject field may, without any problems, carry out the process for the manufacturing of the substance wetting solution by using this description. It is necessary to mention that solutions, according to this invention, are ecological agents used without any damaging results for people and the neighboring living world. In accordance with good results of experimental testing on various materials, the application of the subject invention is recommended for fire extinction and prevention of fires of class "A". Due to great effectiveness this agent is especially recommended to extinguish large fires, or to prevent fires in the localities where there are strong possibilities of fires. By combining various measures and by applying the building of fire fighting zones and fire fighting barriers in the directions of movement of fire elements, it is possible to prevent or significantly diminish fire effects by using this agent according to this invention especially if it is used with modern agents applied by fire fighting services. By using this agent according to this invention, it is possible to create an effective fire fighting barrier. This fully substitutes preventive (controlled) burning or clearing of surfaces that, as a rule, have long-teπn damaging consequences for terrains on which those measures have been applied.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. The agent for treating material extinguishing fire and preventing or diminishing fire danger IS MARKED IN SUCH A WAY that the named agent for fire extinction of class "A" (solid porous substances: wood, rubber, plastics, paper, cardboard, textile, textile dust, coal, coal dust of dry plants, plant remnants, etc.) is the solution of the following composition: - 250 g - 350 g CaCl₂; - 5 ml - 30 ml of wetting agent - that is found on the market under the commercial name of PLURALFAC LF-120 BASF; - the solution remainder up to the volume of 1 / is water.

2. The agent used for treating material extinguishing fire and preventing or diminishing fire danger IS MARKED IN SUCH A WAY that the named agent for fire extinction of class "A" (solid porous substances: wood, rubber, plastics, paper, cardboard, textile, textile dust, coal, coal dust of dry plants, plant remnants, etc.) is the solution of the following composition: - 150 g - 250 g CaCl₂; 5 ml - 20 ml of wetting agent - that is found on the market under the commercial name of PLURALFAC LF-120 BASF; - the solution remainder up to the volume of 1/ is water.

3. The agent for treating material extinguishing fire and preventing or diminishing fire danger IS MARKED IN SUCH A WAY that the named agent for the impregnation of wood objects to become non-inflammable is the solution of the following composition: . 230 g CaCl₂ - 5 - 20 ml of wetting agent - that is found on the market under the commercial name of PLURALFAC- 120 BASF; - the solution remainder up to the volume of 1 / is water.

Wood objects (without any coat at all) are soaked in the solution made of the components in the above mass proportions and are kept there for 24 hours. After this time wood objects are taken out of the solution and dried at room temperature without forced ventilation.

4. The agent for treating material extinguishing fore and preventing or diminishing fire danger IS MARKED IN SUCH A WAY that the impregnation of paper, cardboard and textile of natural fibers, in order that they become non-inflammable, is the solution of the following composition: . 230 g CaCl₂ - 10 ml of glycerin CH₃H₅ (OH)₃; - the solution remainder up to the volume of 1/ is water. Impregnation is carried out when the named raw materials are soaked in the above mentioned solution for 5 minutes. After this time they are taken out and dried naturally at room temperature without forced ventilation.

5. The agent for extinguishing forest fires and fires of class "A" in cases there is an irrational moisturizing of terrains because of long prevention IS MARKED IN SUCH A WAY that the named agent is the solution of the following composition: - 20 ml PLURALFAC LF - 120 BASF; - 30 ml of glycerin CH₃H₅ (OH)₃; - the solution remainder up to the volume of 1/ is water.

Solution for the treatment of terrains and materials according to this example is obtained when the above components in the above mass proportions are mixed with water immediately before sending the fire fighting agent to the place of fire.