MOBILE PUMP SYSTEM WITH METERING PUMP AND METHOD THEREFOR

Abstract

A mobile pump system for pumping water for extinguishing with an auxiliary agent, and a method therefor. The mobile pump system includes a frame for housing the pump system, a booster pump arranged in the frame, a metering pump arranged in the frame for the purpose of adding an auxiliary agent to a water flow, and a drive configured to drive the booster pump and the metering pump. The metering pump is provided with a displaceable metering pump frame and coupling means for connecting the metering pump to a container of the auxiliary agent.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A mobile pump system for pumping water and/or an extinguishing agent, comprising: a frame for housing the pump system; a booster pump arranged in the frame; a metering pump arranged in the frame for the purpose of adding an auxiliary agent to a water flow; and a drive configured to drive the booster pump and the metering pump, wherein the metering pump is provided with a displaceable metering pump frame and coupling means for connecting the metering pump to a container of the auxiliary agent; and further comprising a controller configured to control the booster pump and the metering pump.

12. The mobile pump system according to claim 11, wherein the auxiliary agent comprises a foaming agent.

13. The mobile pump system according to claim 11, wherein the coupling means comprise a first connection for a first container and a second connection for a second container.

14. The mobile pump system according to claim 13, wherein the first and second connections are provided with separate shut-off valves.

15. The mobile pump system according to claim 11, further comprising a reel for displacing the metering pump.

16. The mobile pump system according to claim 15, wherein the pump system is provided with one or more sensors operatively connected to the controller for the purpose of controlling the metering pump.

17. The mobile pump system according to claim 11, further comprising a control panel for operating and/or setting the pump system.

18. The mobile pump system according to claim 17, wherein the control panel is provided on the outer side of the frame.

19. A method for pumping water and/or an extinguishing agent, comprising the steps of: providing a mobile pump system for pumping water and/or an extinguishing agent, comprising: a frame for housing the pump system; a booster pump arranged in the frame; a metering pump arranged in the frame for the purpose of adding an auxiliary agent to a water flow; and a drive configured to drive the booster pump and the metering pump, wherein the metering pump is provided with a displaceable metering pump frame and coupling means for connecting the metering pump to a container of the auxiliary agent; and further comprising a controller configured to control the booster pump and the metering pump; placing the mobile pump system; activating the mobile pump system; metering the auxiliary agent; and pumping water for extinguishing with the auxiliary agent.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising of autonomously controlling the mobile pump system.

21. The mobile pump system according to claim 13, further comprising a reel for displacing the metering pump.

22. The mobile pump system according to claim 11, wherein the pump system is provided with one or more sensors operatively connected to the controller for the purpose of controlling the metering pump.

23. The mobile pump system according to claim 12, further comprising a control panel for operating and/or setting the pump system.

24. The mobile pump system according to claim 13, wherein the control panel is provided on the outer side of the frame.

25. A mobile pump system for pumping water and/or an extinguishing agent, comprising: a frame for housing the pump system; a booster pump arranged in the frame; a metering pump arranged in the frame for the purpose of adding an auxiliary agent to a water flow; and a drive configured to drive the booster pump and the metering pump, wherein the metering pump is provided with a displaceable metering pump frame and coupling means for connecting the metering pump to a container of the auxiliary agent; and further comprising a controller configured to control the booster pump and the metering pump; and wherein the pump system is provided with one or more sensors operatively connected to the controller for the purpose of controlling the metering pump.

26. The mobile pump system according to claim 25, further comprising a control panel for operating and/or setting the pump system.

27. The mobile pump system according to claim 26, wherein the control panel is provided on the outer side of the frame.

28. The mobile pump system according to claim 27, wherein the coupling means comprise a first connection for a first container and a second connection for a second container.

29. The mobile pump system according to claim 28, wherein the first and second connections are provided with separate shut-off valves.

30. The mobile pump system according to claim 29, wherein the auxiliary agent comprises a foaming agent.

Description

[0035] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1 is a view of a mobile pump system according to the invention;

[0037] FIG. 2 is a further view of the pump system of FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the pump system of FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a side view of the pump system according to FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 5 is a top view of pump system 1;

[0041] FIG. 6 is a view of the pump system in a situation of use while combating a source of fire; and

[0042] FIG. 7 is a view of the pump system in a situation of use with the addition of an additive.

[0043] Mobile pump system 2 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided with container 4 as a frame in which booster pump (diesel) motor drive 6 is arranged for the purpose of pumping the water. Also arranged in container 4 is hydraulics motor drive 8 for other components, including (optional) submersible pumps 10, 12, metering pump or foam pump 14, booster pump 24 and ventilation. In the shown embodiment mobile pump system 2 is further provided with two hydraulic submersible pumps 10, 12 for supplying water. A removable foam pump 14 is also arranged. Submersible pumps 10, 12 and foam pump 14 are provided with respective reel sets 16, 18 and 20. Control panel 22 is further arranged on the outer side of container 4.

[0044] In a currently preferred embodiment the user opts to start drive 6, after which hydraulics drive 8 is started at a desired moment by controlling control panel 22, preferably followed by the booster pump.

[0045] Booster pump motor drive 6 (FIG. 3) is used to drive booster pump 24. In the shown embodiment coupling 26 is operatively connected to hydraulic drive 28, which is powered by hydraulics motor drive 8. Hydraulics motor drive 8 is provided with radiator 30 for cooling.

[0046] Outlet 32 (FIGS. 4, 5) of pump system 2 is preferably operatively connected to an extinguishing conduit or discharge. Inlet/feed 34 (FIGS. 1, 5) is further operatively connected during use to a feed conduit for supply of, among other things, water for extinguishing.

[0047] During use (FIG. 6) pump system 2 with container 4 is placed close to waterway W or another water supply. Conduits 36 then run between container 4 and submersible pump 10 which is placed in water W. Extinguishing conduits 38 form a connection via inlet/feed 34 and outlet 32 in/on container 4 to spray nozzles 40, 42 for the purpose of combating a source of fire.

[0048] In a possible application mobile pump system 2 with container 4 is utilized to combat for instance (oil well) fires. Foam can here be applied as extinguishing agent.

[0049] Applied for this purpose is foam pump 14 with displaceable frame 44 and provided with a double coupling 46 with connections 48, 50 which are provided with shut-off valves/(ball) valves 52,54 (FIG. 7). Foam pump 14 can hereby be connected to containers/IBCs 56, 58 for the purpose of supplying foaming agent. Foaming agent is hereby transported further from containers 56, 58 and conduits 60 in the direction of container 4, and there added to for instance the water for extinguishing in order to realize the desired foaming.

[0050] In the case of an emergency situation, such as a fire or flood, mobile pump system 2 is placed close to a waterway W. In the shown embodiment one or more submersible pumps 10, 12 are placed in waterway W. Foam pump 14 is optionally placed close to the foaming agent which is for instance supplied in containers 56, 58. Owing to the double coupling 46 to valves 52, 54, switching from an almost empty container to a new container is greatly simplified without interfering with the combating of the emergency situation. When starting up the operation, the user preferably switches on hydraulics drive 8 on the control panel. Booster pump motor drive 6 is preferably started automatically by the controller of the control panel. Drives 6, 8 are hereby utilized at the most optimal operating point possible. A user can optionally also control booster pump and/or hydraulics motor drives 6, 8 manually.

[0051] In a currently preferred embodiment use is made of two substantially identical 585 kW motor drives, wherein hydraulics motor drive 8 can be utilized partially for inter alia hydraulic submersion pumps 10, 12 and partially for booster pump 24. In a comparative test mobile pump system 2 was compared to a conventional pump system provided with an 800 kW booster pump and a 240 kW hydraulic submersible pump. In this conventional system use is made here of a motor drive for the booster pump made suitable specifically therefor. The comparison shows that emission is considerably greater in such conventional systems as compared to pump system 2 according to the invention, or the costs are at least considerably higher. It has been found that in mobile pump system 2 according to the invention two drives 6,8, which are preferably provided with the same power, bring about a significant reduction in emissions. This is the case for both exhaust emission and noise emission. It has been found that such a preferred embodiment results in wide utility, lower costs and greatly reduced exhaust emission and noise emission.

[0052] The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.