SYSTEM FOR FORMING AND DELIVERING FLUIDS IN GEL FORM BY MEANS OF A LANCE WITH A VENTURI DEVICE

Abstract

A system that allows a gel to be formed by mixing the solid precursor of the gel and water and spraying same onto surfaces is provided. The system includes: a conveyor for the added gelling agent or solid; a pair of openings on the sides of the conveyor tube; a dosing device located after the openings, which distributes the amount of solid added to the conveyor; a Venturi shut-off valve; a mains connection which allows water to enter the system when the water shut-off valve is opened; a Venturi inlet pipe which connects to the Venturi chamber through which the water passes; a Venturi outlet pipe through which the water passes with the solid; and a lance for discharging the gel produced by mixing the water and the solid.

Claims

1. A system for forming and delivering fluids in gel form by means of a lance with a Venturi device comprising: a tube which acts as a conveyor for the added gelling agent or solid; a pair of openings on the sides of said conveyor tube; a dosing device located after the openings, which distributes the amount of solid added to the conveyor; a Venturi shut-off valve; a mains connection which allows water to enter the system when the water shut-off valve is opened; a Venturi inlet pipe which connects to the Venturi chamber through which the water passes; a Venturi outlet pipe through which the water passes with the mixed solid; and a lance for discharging the gel produced by mixing the water and the solid.

2. The system for forming and delivering fluids in gel form by means of a lance with a Venturi device according to claim 1, wherein there is an inverted cone structure between the Venturi chamber and the Venturi outlet.

3. The system for forming and delivering fluids in gel form by means of a lance with a Venturi device according to claim 1, wherein the inlet pipe has a smaller cross section than the Venturi outlet pipe.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] To complement the description provided herein and for the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of FIGURE constituting an integral part of the same, wherein the following is depicted with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a view of the system indicating the constituent elements thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The system for forming gel and delivering it by means of a lance with a Venturi device allows a solid consisting of the gelling agent and water or a suitable solvent to be mixed within the system, all this thanks to the pressure exerted by the water flow which is introduced into the system; furthermore by means of a Venturi device incorporated into the delivering lance, the formed gel can be sprayed at distances greater than any lance known in the state of the art, the system allows the adequate dosing of the product and a more effective atomisation, since the outlet mouth of the device is free, nozzles being able to be adapted for the atomisation thereof or in the shape of a fan.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The system of the present invention comprises a tube that acts as a conveyor (1) for the solid or gelling agent, wherein the solid product falls due to gravity when added through the top of said conveyor (1). The conveyor (1) is inserted between a pair of openings (2) on the sides of said conveyor tube (1) and ends in a dosing device (3) which allows the controlled distribution of the solid which is located after the openings (2). When the Venturi shut-off valve (4) is opened and there is pressurised water in the hose, the Venturi chamber (8) absorbs air, since a vacuum is caused due to the fact that the only inlet is through the Venturi shut-off valve (4). When the Venturi shut-off valve (4) is opened, the product falls and the air that enters through the inlet openings (2) is what transports them to the Venturi chamber (8), the system is connected to the water mains through the mains connection (5) which allows water to enter when the water shut-off valve (6) is opened and sending it to the Venturi inlet pipe (7) where the water passes into the Venturi chamber (8) and by means of an inverted cone structure it passes to the Venturi outlet (9) where the water mixed with the solid in the same pressure thereof is grouped and it shoots it by means of the lance (10) in gel form. When a conventional Venturi device is used, 20 to 25% of water pressure is lost, in this case the outlet pressure of the water is not lost through the lance because the negative pressure is counteracted by absorption of the Venturi with the air inlet through the openings of the conveyor, giving positive pressure to the flow of the water stream. It is also affected by the fact that the outlet of the lance is free since it is a cone with the narrow portion facing outwards, through which it collects the water flow without obstacles slowing it down.

[0017] When passing the Venturi shut-off valve (4), the product absorbs water, for which reason the product is mixed at a high pressure and then it is shot, turning into a gel at the Venturi outlet (9). In the conical structure just at the Venturi outlet (9), the powder is mixed with the water and the gel is formed, for which reason the gel is discharged from the tip of the lance (10). This is why the system is a Venturi lance tip. The element (9) acts as an absorbent and is where the gel is formed. When the water enters from a pipe with a smaller cross section to a pipe with a larger cross section in a conical shape, a vacuum is produced and that is what absorbs the air that enters through the openings (2) which in turn is what carries the powder to the Venturi chamber (8).

[0018] The conveyor (1) is located in the top of the Venturi shut-off valve (4) and thanks to the air inlet openings (2) for entering air, it allows the product to go downwards by gravity, since if these inlet openings (2) did not exist, so much product would be sucked in that the Venturi chamber (8) would become clogged and would not be able to absorb all the product and the negative pressure would stop the product from leaving due to the vacuum produced by the Venturi.

[0019] The system of the present invention allows, in addition to mixing the precursor components of the gel, sending them by means of a lance at high speed and with a greater range than the lances known in the state of the art. As a result, a combined system is obtained which allows the fluidisation of gel particles that can be used for various activities, in particular extinguishing fires.

[0020] From the foregoing it is deduced that the system for forming and delivering fluids in gel form by means of a lance with a Venturi device of the present invention comprises a tube that acts as a conveyor (1) for the added gelling agent or solid; a pair of openings (2) on the sides of said conveyor tube (1); a dosing device (3) for dosing the amount of solid added to the conveyor (1) located after the openings (2); a Venturi shut-off valve (4) to prevent the solid from entering the Venturi chamber (8); a mains connection which allows water to enter the system when the water shut-off valve (6) is opened; a Venturi inlet pipe (7) which connects to the Venturi chamber (8) through which the water passes; a Venturi outlet pipe (9) through which the water passes with the solid; and a lance (10) for discharging the gel produced by mixing the water and the solid.

[0021] The substantial improvement introduced by the application of the present invention is the speed and performance in forming the extinguishing compound for fighting fires from direct or indirect attack with water sprays, wherein the extinguishing mixture is being formed at the time it is used, the extinguishing mixture being prepared in just a few seconds in the system.

[0022] By using these products in direct attack and continuous mixing at the water outlet, an immediate cooling and suffocating effect could never be achieved, since the dust and water will drain without adhering to the fuel surfaces and the gel effect will be achieved once the water-dust has already drained and are scattered in the fuels.