WO2008154933A1

WO2008154933A1 - A fire extinguisher

Info

Publication number: WO2008154933A1
Application number: PCT/DK2008/050155
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kristian SCHIØRRING; Henrik Dahlerup
Original assignee: Dfl Europe A/S
Priority date: 2007-06-20
Filing date: 2008-06-19
Publication date: 2008-12-24

Abstract

The invention concerns a userfriendly fire extinguisher for fighting small fires; in particular small oil fires in for example a domestic kitchen. The fire extinguisher is designed as an aerosol spray can and uses a propellant such as carbonic acid to deliver the fire extinguishin media to the burning area. The fire extinguishin media comprises mixture of salts and plant extracts and is thus environmentally safe, biologically degradable, non-toxic and non-corrosive. The actuator for activating the fire extinguishin exingusher is equipped with a nozzle through which the fire extinguishing media is delivered as foam. This foam settles on top of the burning material and the combined effect of the foam and the mixture of salts and plant extracts provides a highly effective fire extinguishing combination, which can stop a violently burning oil fire within seconds.

Description

A fire extinguisher

All patent and non-patent references cited in the present application, are also hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a portable easy-to-use aerosol type fire extinguisher for extinguishing small fires including small oil fires. The water based fire extinguish- ing media is environmentally safe and non-toxic.

Background of invention

In several homes around the world, the preparation of food often involves the use of boiling oils such as for deep frying using tempura in the Japanease kitchen or deep fat frying in the English kictchen. Unfortunately, the cooking oil may catch fire and such small oil fires are difficult to extinguish and therefore pose a great hazard to persons and buildings nearby. Attempts to extinguish the oil fire by providing pure water onto the fire will only create bursts of burning oil drops and hence pose an even greater danger. Alternative means for extinguishing an oil fire includes dry chemicals or dry powder, which both are toxic and hence results in the need for major cleaning in for instance an industrial kitchen after an oil fire has been extinguished.

The Japanease patent application JP2004321272 discloses a fire extinguisher which utilizes a water based fire extinguishing media comprising polymers and potassium salts. The fire extinguisher according to JP2004321272 is capable of extinguishing an oil fire within several seconds and further provides means for preventing re-ignition of the fire. When sprayed from the aerosol type fire extinguisher disclosed in JP2004321272, the fire extinguishing media distributes itself as a film on the surface of the burning oil.

The Japanease patent application JP2005287636 discloses a fire exctinguisher which uses a water based fire extinguishing media comprising biodegradable materials. The fire extinguishing media emulsify the oil components of the burning material to stop the fire. The fire extinguishing media is provided in an aerosol type fire extinguisher comprising nitrogen as the propellant.

Summary of invention

The present invention provides a compact, portable and easy-to-use fire extinguisher, preferably sized to be readily hand-held, for extinguishing small fires. The fire extinguisher is activated by pressing a relatively small actuator and can be operated by even elderly people and children. Furthermore, the fire extinguisher is capa- ble of stopping minor oil fires and even frying oil fires. The water based, non-toxic fire extinguishing media of the extinguisher is delivered as foam, which gently drops onto said fire thereby preventing any splashing of for instance burning oil onto the surroundings. The fire extinguisher is hence suitable for stopping an oil fire in for example a kitchen or on a diesel engine aboard a small boat.

Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention relates to a portable aerosol type fire extinguisher comprising

- a canister having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is open and sealingly covered by a valve,

- means for temporarily opening said valve, said canister holding a volume of a pressurized payload comprising at least one water based fire extinguishing media, said canister furthermore holding at least one propellant for driving out said payload,

wherein said fire extinguishing media comprises at least one foaming agent.

The fire extinguishing media comprises at least one mixture of at least one salt and at least one natural plant extracts. Preferably the at least one salt is a natural potassium salt and the fire extinguishing media is biologically degradable, non-toxic, non-corrosive, and environmentally safe. Preferable the natural plant extracts comprise root extracts from various plants. In addition to the fire-stopping property, the fire extinguishing media is capable of preventing re-ignition of the oil fire after the fire has been extinguished. In a preferred embodiment, the fire extinguisher is an aerosol can, which preferably has a weight below 800 grams and/or a volume below 800 ml_. The level of safety for the user when fighting a small oil fire using the extinguisher is good as he or she can be postioned 1 to 1 ,5 meters away from the fire and the fire is extinguished within a few seconds.

Description of the drawings

Figures 1 a-1c show schematic presentation of a portable fire extinguisher according to the invention and its use in relation to extinguishing a small oil fire.

Figure 2 shows a temperature curve from an experimental demonstration of the fire extinguishers ability to fight a small oil fire.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 the present invention relating to an aerosol type portable fire extinguisher 1 for handheld portable fighting of various small fires 2 having several features that are to be explained in the following.

The portable fire extinguisher according to the present invention may have at least one of the following features:

• A water based biological fire extinguishing media.

• An environmentally safe fire extinguishing media.

• A portable fire extinguisher for small oil fires.

• The water based fire extinguishing media provided in a foam

- which simultaneously prevents a re-ignition the oil fire.

The features and functions are described in more detail in the following. In the present context upwards or upper means towards the first end of the canister of the portable fire extinguisher, whereas downwards or lower means towards the second end of the canister of the portable fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishing media

The payload preferably comprises at least one fire extinguishing media.

In a preferred embodiment, the water based fire extinguishing media comprises at least one mixture of at least one salt, and/or at least one root extract and is characterized by being water soluble, biologically degradable, environmentally safe, non-toxic, and non-corrosive. Preferably, the at least one salts are natural potassium salt.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the fire extinguishing media of the fire extinguisher is capable of extinguishing small oil fires and capable of preventing a re-ignition of said oil fire. A preferred fire extinguishing media of the invention comprises the commercially available Hartindo AF 31 , which comprises natural potasium salts in combination with natural plant extracts of tapioca and/or yucca plants, which is the basis of the Hartindo proprietary formula.

The said at least one mixture constitutes a volume ratio of the water based fire extinguishing media in the range 5 % - 40 %, preferably in the range 10 % - 30 %, more preferably range 15 % - 25 %.

The fire extinguishing media according to the present invention comprises at least one foaming agent, and the fire extinguisher delivers the fire extinguishing media in a foam. Preferably, the fire extinguishing media comprises a highly active foaming agent, such as Hartindo foaming agent. Furthermore, it may comprise flurochemicals and stablizors.

The water based fire extinguishing media comprising Hartindo AF 31 and Hartindo foam agent can stop a small oil using relatively small volumes of the fire extinguishing media and hence the payload of the canister can be accordingly small. In a preferred embodiment, suitable for extinguishing small oil fires in for example a domestic kitchen, the canister holds a volume of said payload in the range 100 ml_ to 1000 ml_, preferably in the range 200 ml_ - 750 ml_, more preferably in the range 300 ml_ to 550 ml_. In another preferred embodiment, suitable for extinguishing small oil fires for example in an industrial kitchen, in a camper, on a boat, or in a car, the canister holds a volume of said payload in the range 150 ml_ to 1 150 ml_, preferably in the range 300 ml_ - 850 ml_, more preferably in the range 500 ml_ to 750 ml_.

The said at least one foaming agent constitutes a volume ratio of the water based fire extinguishing media in the range 1 % - 15 %, preferably in the range 4 % - 12 %, more preferably range 8 % - 10 %.

Aerosol spray can

In a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 a, the fire extinguisher 1 is shaped as an aerosol spray can, also known as an aerosol can or a spray can. An aerosol spray comprises three major parts; a canister 3 for holding the payload 4, a valve 5 for keeping said payload inside the canister, and means for temporarily opening said valve 6, such as an actuator.

The canister is preferably is fabricated in from at metal, most preferably Aluminum. It is designed to be capable of holding a pressurized liquid with several bars overpressure. The lower end is completely closed whereas the upper end has an openning. In a preferred embodiment, the size of the canister is such that a user can hold and operate the fire extinguisher with one hand. The use of an Aluminium canister reduces the effect of corrosion relating to the water based fire extiunguishing media and thus prolongs the lifetime of the fire extinguisher according to the present invention.

The payload leaves the cannister through the valve 5 sealingly closing the open part of the upper end. The design of this component determines the spray rate of the payload. Preferably, the valve is designed to provide a very high spray rate. In a preferred embodiment, the valve is a FL male aerosol valve provided by Lindal Ventil GmbH of Germany.

The means for temporarily opening said valve preferably comprise an actuator 6.

When the actuator 6 is pressed, the valve 5 opens and the propelling means inside the canister 3 forces the payload 4 through the valve 5. From the valve the payload is forced through the actuator 6 out into the surrounding air. The actuator is preferably equipped with a nozzle 7. The shape and size of the nozzle controls the spread of the payload when sprayed out of the fire extinguisher. The nozzle on the actuator used to activate the fire extinguisher according to the present invention preferably has a diverging shape, with a pipe that expands from a smaller diameter to a larger one. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator is a FL actuator provided by Lindal Ventil GmbH of Germany.

Propellant

The payload of the fire extinguisher is driven out of the canister by a propellant. The propellant is a compound, which has a boiling point slightly lower than room temperature, so that a significant part of the propellant is in the gas phase inside the canister. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the propellant is carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which releases CO₂ in gas phase. The operating pressure of the fire extinguisher is in the range 1 bars -12 bars, preferably in the range 5 bars - 9 bars, more preferably in the range 6 bars - 8 bars, more preferably in the range 6.5 - 7.5 bars.

Complete assembly

The combination the propellant, the aerosol spray can and the nozzle of the actuator provides the fire extinguisher with means for delivering the water based fire extinguishing media as a foam 8, which falls gently on the fire. This foam can be delivered in safe distance from the fire and the user may be positioned 1 -1 .5 meters away from the fire as illustrated in Figure 1 b. When sprayed onto the burning area, the foam 8 settles on top of the fire as illustrated in Figure 1c.

In a preferred embodiement, wherein the payload comprises 300 g to 500 g of the fire extinguishing media, the fire extinguisher of the present invention is particulary suitable for use in a residential kitchen.

In another preferred embodiement, wherein the payload comprises 550 g to 750 g of the fire extinguishing media, the fire extinguisher of the present invention is particulary suitable for use in for example an industrial kitchen, a camper, on a boat, or in a car. In a preferred embodiment, the total weight of the fire extinguisher is in the range 200 g to 1 10O g, preferably in the range 300 g - 800 g, more preferably in the range 400 g to 600 g.

In a preferred embodiment, the total weight of the fire extinguisher is in the range 300 g to 1200 g, preferably in the range 500 g - 1000 g, more preferably in the range 600 g to 800 g.

In a preferred embodiment, the operating pressure is preferably 7 bars, and the fire extinguishing media comprises 72 % water, 20 % Hartindo AF 31 , and 8 % Hartindo foaming agent.

In tests performed at the Danish Institute of Fire and Security Technology the fire extinguishing capability of the fire extinguisher according to the present invention was demonstrated. A load of 2.5 L deep fry oil was heated until auto-ignition and free burned for 1 minute before the fire extinguisher was employed. At the time, the fire extinguisher was employed, the flames from the burning oil were approximately

1 meters high. As seen from Figure 2, the temperature drops nearly instantly and the fire is extinguished within a few seconds. The consumption of the payload in this experiment was limited to 204 g.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1 . A portable aerosol type fire extinguisher comprising

- a canister having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is open and sealingly closed by a valve, means for temporarily opening said valve, - said canister holding a volume of a pressurized payload comprising at least one water based fire extinguishing media, - said canister furthermore holding at least one propellant for driving out said payload,

wherein said fire extinguishing media comprises at least one foaming agent,

2. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one water based fire extinguishing media is biologically degradable.

3. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said at least one water based fire extinguishing media is non-toxic and environmentally safe.

4. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein foam generated from said payload comprising said at least one fire extinguishing media is capable of extinguishing small oil fires.

5. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein foam comprising said at least one fire extinguishing media is capable of preventing a re-ignition of said small oil fires.

6. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one water based fire extinguishing media comprises at least one mixture of at least one salt and/or at least one root extract.

7. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one water based fire extinguishing media comprises an aqueous mixture of at least one potassium salt and/or at least one root extract of tapioca and/or yucca plants.

8. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to claim 7, wherein said at least one potassium salt comprises at least one natural potassium salt.

9. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said fire extinguishing media comprises at least Hartindo AF 31 fire extinguisher.

10. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said foaming agent is a Hartindo foaming agent.

1 1. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one mixture comprising said at least one salt and at least one root extract constitutes a volume raϋo of the water based fire extinguishing media in the range 5 % - 40 %, preferably in the range 10 % - 30 %, more preferably range 15 % - 25 %.

12. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one foaming agent constitutes a volume ratio of the water based fire extinguishing media in the range 1 % - 15 %, preferably in the range 4 % - 12 %, more preferably in the range 8 % - 10 %.

13. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said valve comprises means for providing the payload with a high spray rate to said means for temporarily opening said valve.

14. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said means for temporarily opening said valve comprise an actuator.

15. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to claim 14, wherein said actuator comprises a nozzle.

16. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to 15, wherein the said nozzle is diverging with a pipe that expands from a smaller diameter to a larger one.

17. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to claim 14, wherein said actuator is a FL actuator.

18. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the operating pressure is in the range 1 bars - 12 bars, preferably in the range 4 bars - 9 bars, more preferably in the range 6 bars - 8 bars, more preferably in the range 6.5 bars - 7.5 bars.

19. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the propellant is carbonic acid (H_?CO₃), providing CO₂ in gas phase for driving out said payload.

20. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a foam comprising said at least one fire extinguishing media is formed and sprayed from the nozzle of the fire extinguisher when said means for temporarily opening said valve are activated and said at least one propellant drives the payload out of said canister.

21 . The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said foam comprising the fire extinguishing media exits said nozzle on said actuator with a sufficiently high velocity so that the user can be positioned 1 -1.5 meters away from the fire.

22. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said foam comprising the fire extinguishing media exits said nozzle on said actuator with a sufficiently low velocity so that the foam gently falls onto the fire from the extinguisher.

23. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims wherein said canister is fabricated from a metal material, preferably Aluminium.

24. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said canister holds said payload comprising the at least one fire extinguishing media in a volume in the range 100 mL to 1000 ml_, preferably in the range 200 ml_ - 750 ml_, more preferably in the range 300 ml_ to 550 ml_.

25. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the total weight of the fire extinguisher is in the range 200 g to 1 100 g, preferably in the range 300 g - 800 g, more preferably in the range 400 g to 600 g.

26. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any of claims 1 -23, wherein said canister holds a volume of said payload comprising the at least one fire extinguishing media in the range 150 ml_ to 1 150 ml_, preferably in the range 300 ml_ - 850 ml_, more preferably in the range 500 ml_ to 750 ml_.

27. The portable aerosol type fire extinguisher according to any claims 1 -23, wherein the total weight of the fire extinguisher is in the range 200 g to 1250 g, preferably in the range 400 g - 1000 g, more preferably in the range 600 g to 80O g.