Composition for fire extinguishant

Abstract

The present composition for extinguishant mainly comprises of composite A and compound B; wherein said Composite A further comprises Compound C or Compound C and e-glass fibre and Compound B is water or deionized water; wherein further, said Compound C is in turn synthetic hydrated calcium silicate of density 60 to 450 kg/m.sup.3 preferably 90 to 400 kg/m.sup.3; which includes range of Tobermorite, Xenotlite and Wollastonite; said Compound C contains negligible amounts of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3MgO and Al.sub.2O.sub.3. Said Composite A comprises of 93-96% Compound C and 7-4% e-glass fibre and Compound B is at room temperature. The wet composition of present composition for extinguishant comprises of 2% to 18% W/V of Composite A in Compound B, and dry composition for extinguishant comprises of Composite A:compound B=82-98%:18-2%.

Claims

1. A wet composition for extinguishing fires, comprising: a composite material comprising a synthetic hydrated calcium silicate; and water, wherein the wet composition comprises 2% w/v to 18% w/v of the composite material in the water, the composite material has a particle size ranging from greater than zero m to 72 m and the synthetic hydrated calcium silicate has a density ranging from 60 kg/m.sup.3 to 450 kg/m.sup.3.

2. The wet composition of claim 1, wherein the synthetic hydrated calcium silicate has a density ranging from 90 kg/m.sup.3 to 400 kg/m.sup.3.

3. The wet composition of claim 1, wherein the synthetic hydrated calcium silicate comprises tobermorite, xonotlite, and wollastonite.

4. The wet composition of claim 1, wherein the water is deionized water.

5. The wet composition of claim 1, wherein the composite material further comprises e-glass fiber in an amount ranging from 4% to 7%.

6. The wet composition of claim 1, consisting of: the composite material; and the water, wherein the composite material consists of the synthetic hydrated calcium silicate and, optionally, e-glass fiber in an amount ranging from 4 to 7%.

7. A dry composition for extinguishing fires, comprising: a composite material comprising a synthetic hydrated calcium silicate; and water, wherein the dry composition comprises the composite material and the water at a ratio of 82% to 98% composite material:18% to 2% water, the composite material has a particle size ranging from greater than zero m to 72 m, and the synthetic hydrated calcium silicate has a density ranging from 60 kg/m.sup.3 to 450 kg/m.sup.3.

8. The dry composition of claim 7, wherein the synthetic hydrated calcium silicate has a density ranging from 90 kg/m.sup.3 to 400 kg/m.sup.3.

9. The dry composition of claim 7, wherein the synthetic hydrated calcium silicate comprises tobermorite, xonotlite, and wollastonite.

10. The dry composition of claim 7, wherein the water is deionized water.

11. The dry composition of claim 7, wherein the composite material further comprises e-glass fiber in an amount ranging from 4% to 7%.

12. The dry composition of claim 7, consisting of: the composite material; and the water, wherein the composite material consists of the synthetic hydrated calcium silicate and, optionally, e-glass fiber in an amount ranging from 4% to 7%.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a table comparing properties of the disclosed composition to properties of mono ammonium phosphate (NH.sub.4H.sub.2PO.sub.4) and water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(2) The embodiment of the present invention is to provide composition for fire extinguishant which extinguishes fire instantaneously and is safe and easy to use.

(3) The present composition for extinguishant mainly comprises of composite A and compound B; wherein said composite A further comprises compound C or compound C and e-glass fibre and Compound B is water or deionised water.

(4) Said compound C is in turn synthetic hydrated calcium silicate of density 60 to 450 kg/m.sup.3 preferably 90 to 400 kg/m.sup.3; which includes range of Tobermorite, Xenotlite and Wollastonite. The Said compound C or Synthetic hydrated Calcium silicate contains negligible amounts of Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, MgO and Al.sub.2O.sub.3.

(5) The said e-glass fibre is having a bulk density of 252 kg/m.sup.3 preferably 262 kg/m.sup.3.

(6) Said Composite A comprises of 93-96% Compound C and 4-7% e-glass fibre, and the said Compound B is at room temperature.

(7) The wet composition for present extinguishant comprises of 2% to 18% W/V of Composite A in Compound B, and dry composition for extinguishant comprises of composite A and compound B in the following ratio:

(8) Composite A:compound B=82-98%: 18-2%.

(9) Said compound C has the following molecular formula, Ca(OH).sub.2SiO.sub.2 with negligible amount of impurities of Al.sub.2O.sub.3,Fe.sub.2O.sub.3,MgO. Having molecular weight of 134.18 gm/mole.

(10) Present composition for extinguishant can be sprayed by normal hand pressured pumps for delivery at shorter distance of about 6 to 15 feet. Present composition for extinguishant has efficient deliverability when dispersed with the compressed nitrogen gas using standard fire extinguishers.

(11) A sample was selected from the above range wherein the sample containing 3% W/V of Composite A having density of 270 kg/m.sup.3 in Compound B at room temperature. Various tests were performed using said sample to establish its properties and effectiveness.

(12) The properties of composite A as obtained from said tests are described herein below table:

(13) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Properties of composite A Sr. No. Properties Performance Value Units 1 Thermal Low 0.045 W/m K conductivity 2 Thermal Excellent 22.22 m K/W Resistance 3 Melting Point High 1540 C. 4 Flammable Non flammable 1800 C. up to 5 Stability Stable up to 1540 C. 6 Solubility in Negligible 0.01 % water 7 Adsorption of High 240 % Water 8 pH alkaline (Inert) 9 9 Size of particle Fine <72 10 Particle size d10 3.30 Distribution d50 15.0 d90 51.0 11 BET surface area 41.6387 m.sup.2/gm 12 BJH adsorption 27.0787 m.sup.2/gm BJH desorption 25.6555 m.sup.2/gm 13 Density Light weight 270 kg/m.sup.3 14 Stains Stain free 95% Colour Off White 15 Smell Odourless 16 Acid Acid free 17 Asbestos content NIL 18 Carcinogenic NIL content 19 Irritation to eyes Low and skin

(14) Above table 1 shows various properties of composite A. The relevance of the values of the properties shall be brought about in the description followed herein below.

(15) The present composite A has low thermal conductivity 0.045 W/m K and higher thermal resistance 22.22 m K/W that does not permit the fire to rekindle.

(16) The melting point of composite A is 1540 C. and it is not flammable till 1800 C. making it stable and effective even against large fires that result in high temperatures. The composite A is inert and almost insoluble (0.01%) in water hence it does not react with water ensuring its high stability and permanent shelf life.

(17) This makes the present extinguishant substantially efficient. It can be stored, transported and used efficiently. Moreover, composite A does not dissolve in water, hence it does not contaminate soil and water; making it eco friendly; thereby overcoming the problems of the prior art.

(18) Particle size of Composite A is very small i.e. is less than 72 micron (particle size distribution of d10, d50, d90 is 3.30, 15.51 micron respectively), that makes it lighter in weight. Thus, it can be easily stored and safely transported. The particles of Composite A have high surface area coverage (BET 41.6387 m.sup.2/gm), high adsorption (BJH 27.078 m.sup.2/gm) and desorption (BJH 25.655 m.sup.2/gm), so it adheres to the combusting surface like a thin layer and spreads along with the adsorbed water. Composite A has density up to 270 kg/m.sup.3. It has more surface area that enables it to hold more Compound B on its porous surface. Composite A adsorbs 240% compound B (adsorbed water) of its weight facilitating in extinguishing fire.

(19) The e-glass fibre particles in composite A have a softening temperature of 830 C. to 916 C. and liquefy at 1070 C. to 1200 C. e-Glass fibre is inert. The e-glass fibre particles adhere to the compound C particles at higher temperature. Molten e-Glass fibre particles fuse and reduce the rate of heat conduction and act as barrier against release of volatile gases.

(20) In addition, the composite A contains 14% fused (chemically combined) water compound B which releases at high temperature further aiding in fire extinguishing.

(21) The composite A has pH 9 and is thus not acidic unlike the prior art thereby ensuring that there is no damage to the assets while its use. There are also no issues of cleanability after using present fire extinguishant. Moreover the properties of compound like stain resistance, white colour, odourless, acid free, non asbestos and non carcinogenic makes it eco friendly.

(22) For extinguishing fire with present extinguishant, composite A is sprayed along with compound B based on the type of fire. The above mentioned properties of composite A are also able to give substantial effectiveness in presence of compound B wherein, following properties of compound B plays an important role:

(23) The properties of compound B are:

(24) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Properties of Compound B Sr. No. Properties Performance Value Units 1 Specific heat 1 calorie/gm C. 2 Latent heat of 542 calorie/gm vaporisation 3 Boiling point 100 C. 4 Viscosity Viscous 1 Centipoise @ 20 C. 5 pH Neutral 7 6 Density Heavy 998.2 kg/m.sup.3 7 Stains Stain free Colour Colourless 8 Smell Odourless 9 Acid Acid free 10 Asbestos content NIL 11 Carcinogenic NIL content 12 Irritation to eyes NIL and skin

(25) Compound B has a specific heat of 1 calorie/gm C. and latent heat of vaporisation of 542 calorie/gm, this helps compound B to absorb heat instantly and it vaporises quickly. Compound B boils at 100 C. which makes it an appropriate compound to change the phase from liquid to vapour in minimum time. This ensures rapid heat transfer and change of state from liquid to vapour thereby cooling off the combusting surface and pushing away oxygen instantly. Compound B has viscosity of 1 centipose making it appropriate to deliver. Compound B has neutral pH 7 hence it is environmental friendly. The density of compound B is 998.2 kg/m.sup.3.

(26) As it is stain free, colourless, odourless, acid free, non-carcinogenic and without any hazardous substances, it does not impart any adverse effect on environment.

(27) Composite A and compound B when combine, while dispersing results in present composition for fire extinguishant. Said Composite A and compound B are inert and so they do not react, composite A is almost insoluble in compound B.

(28) TABLE-US-00003 ANALYSIS OF A DROP OF PRESENT COMPOSITION FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHANT Density of Composite A in the drop 0.27 gm/cm.sup.3 Quantity of mixture 1 ml Drops per ml 16 Weight of Composite A in 1 ml of 0.0300 gm composition Surface area covered by each drop of 3.977697 cm.sup.2 composition Quantity of Composite A in each drop 0.001875 gm of 3% composition Density =Mass/Volume Hence thickness =Mass/area Density Thickness 0.001745 cm or 17.45 m BJH adsorption cumulative surface area 27.0787 m.sup.2/gm of pores BJH adsorption cumulative surface area 0.050733 m.sup.2 (507.72 cm.sup.2) of pores available per drop BET surface (appendix A) 42 m.sup.2/gm BET surface available per drop 0.07875 m.sup.2 (787.5 cm.sup.2)

(29) From the above table it is observed that the BET surface area of particles concentrated in the drop area is 787.5 cm.sup.2 for each drop of 16 drops per ml. Drop sizes were of 22.5 mm diameter which is 3.5 cm.sup.2 approx. Due to the low density and high surface area of particles of present composition, multilayer densification of particle is occurring per drop area. The diffusion of the compound B from composite A on the surface of the combustion spreads the fine particles of Composite A over the surface of the combustion. The composite A trapped in the multilayer formation loses compound B by vaporisation in presence of fire. Due to the vaporisation of compound B the particle stick to each other creating a thin but strong mesh of particles covering the surface.

Working of Present Invention

(30) The particles of Composite A reach the surface of object in fire with compound B. The Composite A adheres to the combusting surface due to its low density and fine particle size less than 72 microns. The BET surface and the BJH adsorption property of Composite A enables to adsorb 240% of Compound B by weight. However, Composite A also has good desorption property in presence of Heat on combusting surface, due to which the present composition releases Compound B effectively and Compound B vaporises at 100 C. and pushes the oxygen upwards. In addition, the un-adsorbed Compound B (carrier water) also facilitates in extinguishing fire, which also evaporate with increasing temperature. Moreover, at higher temperatures, the fused water is also released from said composite A. The adsorbed water, carrier water and fused water play synergistic performance while extinguishing fire.

(31) Said sample comprises of 30 gm of composite A in 1000 ml of compound B wherein it contains: 4.65 gm of fused water, 72 gm of adsorbed water, 928 gm is the carrier water.

(32) Wherein further the adsorbed and carrier water has a high degree of cohesion.

(33) The latent heat of vaporisation of Compound B (542 calorie/gm) helps to absorb heat instantly and vaporise quickly. The high temperature resistance of the particles of Composite A ensure the particles of the composite A to remain unaffected by fire upto 1540 C. Particles of Composite A densify as a thin layer thereby cutting off the oxygen supply.

(34) The combined effect of the Composite A and Compound B cools the heat, pushes oxygen away from the combusting surface and blocks further connectivity of oxygen to the surface of combustion. The Composite A also prevents heat to reach the covered surface so that fire does not rekindle. This makes the present composition substantially efficient fire extinguishing agent in comparison to all the prior arts.

(35) The fine particle size below 72 micron and high temperature resistance of 1540 C. of Composite A fuse to the surface of the molten solids in combustion, thereby cutting off oxygen. The light weight of composite A with density of 270 kg/m.sup.3 covers the surface of the liquid in fire and cuts off oxygen by creating a thick layer and float on it for a considerable time.

Delivery Mechanisms of Present Extinguishant

(36) The present composition for fire extinguishant extinguishes most kinds of fire and is deliverable through existing fire extinguishers such as listed herein below but not limiting to said fire extinguishers: a) Wet Type Extinguisher b) Dry Type Extinguisher c) Fire tender with Composition tank connected to hose pipe through a venture of 1:5 d) Dry (Sand) Blaster used as sprayers e) Wet Blaster used as sprayers f) Fire Fighting planes, drones, helicopters g) Tenders and hydrants

(37) It was observed that apart from the existing extinguishers Dry (Sand) Blaster and Wet Blaster are used as sprayers to spray present composition as fire extinguishant.

(38) Following table shows the use of present composition for fire extinguishant through above-said fire extinguishers. It particularly shows the composition used and the methods used in extinguishing fire.

(39) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 shows the use of present composition for fire extinguishant through above-said fire extinguishers. Description Composition Delivery Sr. No. of Fire Used Mechanism Method of Delivery 1 Type A Fires 3% W/V Standard Fill the 3% W/V Small/Medium Composition Wet Type composition at 15 (Wood/Cloth/ Extinguisher bar nitrogen pressure and Grass etc.) deliver on the fire site. 100% Standard Fill the 100% Composite A, Dry Type Composite A at 15 Compound B Extinguisher bar nitrogen pressure. Disperse the Composite A followed by a spray of compound B. Dry (Sand) Fill the 100% blaster Composite A. Disperse the Composite A followed by a spray of compound B. 2 Large Type 100% Dry (Sand) Disperse the Composite A A Fires Composite A, blaster, fire through a dry (sand) blaster (Forest/Coal Compound B hydrant/fire followed by compound B Mine Fires) tender. dispersed by a fire hydrant or tender. Dry (Sand) Disperse the Composite A blaster, Wet through a dry (sand) blaster Blaster. followed by compound B dispersed by a wet blaster. 100% Fire Fighting Air drop 100% Composite A Composite A, planes, through planes, drones or Compound B drones, helicopters; followed by helicopters sprinkling Compound B through the most convenient mechanism - Fire hydrants/air drop. 3% W/V Fire Fighting Air drop 3% W/V composition Composition planes, drones, through fire fighting planes, helicopters drones or helicopters. 18% W/V Tank with Tank contains 18% W/V Composition venturi of 1:5 Composition. Connect this tank connected to with the hose pipe from the fire hose pipe tender, through a venturi 1:5. The dispersed composition will be 3% W/V Composition. 3 Gas Fires 18% W/V Wet Blaster Disperse 18% W/V Composition Composition with a wet blaster 4 Small Liquid 100% Standard Fill the 100% Composite A at Fires Composite A, Dry Type medium to low pressure in a Compound B Extinguisher standard Dry Type extinguisher. Disperse the Composite A over the surface of liquid fire. Use Compound B Mist for elimination of fire source. 5 Electric Fires 100% Standard Fill the 100% Composite A at Composite A, Dry Type medium to low pressure in a Compound B Extinguisher standard Dry Type extinguisher. Disperse the Composite A on the electric panels or equipments on fire followed spray of Compound B (preferably deionised water mist). 3% W/V Standard Fill the 3% W/V composition Composition (Using Wet Type (where Compound B contains Deionised water) Extinguisher deionised water) at 15 bar nitrogen pressure and deliver on the fire site. 6 Kitchen Fires 100% Composite Standard Fill the 100% Composite A at A, Compound B Dry Type medium to low pressure in a Extinguisher standard Dry Type extinguisher. Disperse the Composite A followed by spray of Compound B (mist) to eliminate fire source. 7 Solid Fires 100% Composite A Standard Fill the 100% Composite A at Dry Type medium to low pressure in a Extinguisher standard Dry Type extinguisher. Disperse the Composite A followed by spray of Compound B mist to eliminate fire source.

Comparison with Prior Art

(40) The present composition for fire extinguishant is compared with commonly used fire extinguishants as shown in table 4 (FIG. 1).

(41) The table 4 shows the advantages of present composition for fire extinguishant in comparison to commonly used fire extinguishants i.e Mono ammonium phosphate and water used.

Advantages of the Present Invention

(42) The present invention is advantageous in the following manner: Quick eliminations of fire reduces the efforts for extinguishment. The cost and capital expenditure for fire fighting will be curtailed and fire fighting will be enhanced by rapid action performance. It is Insoluble in water and poses no hazard threat to air, water or soil. The present invention provides composition for fire extinguishant which extinguishes fire instantaneously and is safe and easy to use. It eliminates the use of excessive amounts of water thereby facilitating to save water, the extinguishant can extinguish the large fires which otherwise reach uncontrollable scales in the areas where there is scarcity of water. It is Light weight thereby making fire fighting easy in using products in various capacities. It prevents rekindling of fire. It eliminates the emissions of harmful gases and smoke hazards thereby eliminating the risk of pollution, vision hampering and breathing problems further making it safer to use and does not cause breathing problem. It has prolonged shelf life. It is not affected by fire till very high temperatures (1540 C.) so performance is assured even in case of extreme fires. It is useful in large fires like forest and coal mines and can save precious natural resource worth billions of dollars nationally and internationally. It considerably reduces the logistic issues i.e. even less quantity of present composition produce phenomenal results thereby reducing number of vehicles required to reach the fire spot, in turn overcoming issues of traffic, manpower and vehicles used to fight a big fire. In addition, it reduces tank storages required in any building for fire fighting requirements, reduces pipe size to carry water in hydrants to all floor, reduce pumping of water and reduces power requirements. It makes fire fighting possible with semi trained personal and also reduces risk of fire injuries, loss of life and property. It reduces damage to assets. It can easily reach to large areas as the composite A is very light and hence can help gain speed in controlling fires. It can instantly arrest fire thus eliminates stress and fatigue to the fire fighters. It is light in weight and does not require filling with very high pressures and thus the extinguishers filled with it are light in weight and easy to carry. It is cost effective. The composite is not viscous and is easy to clean after use. It is Neutral having 7.1 pH. It does not release bad odour in presence of high temperature fire. It does not contain any carcinogens. Extinguishing fire using the present invention requires limited fire tenders, manpower and other resources. Due to enhance performance, less amount of extinguishant is required. It is easy to carry and use with existing tools and technology. It is also possible to spray or release the composition from air tractors (helicopters, planes) or drones.