Fire extinguisher and method

Abstract

The invention comprises a fire extinguisher and method, wherein the fire extinguisher has a sealable high-pressure container that forms a hollow interior connected by a valve to an environment external to the said container. The said container holds at a high pressure at room temperature a composition of liquid carbon dioxide and a non-hydrate, hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound, the said compound further having a freezing point of at least −20° C. at one atmosphere. Upon release of the combination to the environment external to the container, the compound further produces a clathrate. In at least one embodiment of the invention, both the clathrate and the non-hydrate, hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound have firefighting conductive properties.

Claims

1. A fire extinguisher comprising: (A) a container forming a hollow interior containing a composition; (B) a valve that controllably connects the hollow interior to an environment external to the container; and (C) the composition comprises a non-hydrate, hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound and a non-polar atmospheric gas initially held at 800 psi within the container; wherein upon a release of the firefighting composition from the hollow interior to an external environment to the container, the external environment being at one atmosphere, the release allows creation of a hydrophobic and anhydrous clathrate.

2. The fire extinguisher of claim 1 wherein the hydrophobic and anhydrous clathrate comprises the non-hydrate, hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound and the non-polar atmospheric gas.

3. The fire extinguisher of claim 2 wherein the non-hydrate, hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound has freezing point at least of −20 C.

4. The fire extinguisher of claim 2 wherein the non-hydrate, hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound is cyclopentasiloxane.

5. The fire extinguisher of claim 4 wherein the cyclopentasiloxane is decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.

6. The fire extinguisher of claim 2 wherein the nonpolar atmospheric gas is carbon dioxide.

7. The fire extinguisher of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises a percentage ratio of 40 liquid ounces of a non-polar atmospheric gas to at least 12 liquid ounces of a non-hydrate, hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound.

8. A process of operating a fire extinguisher comprising of the following steps: (A) providing a fire extinguisher comprising a high-pressure container forming a hollower interior containing a composition, a valve that controllably connects the hollow interior to an environment external to the high-pressure container; and the composition that comprises a non-hydrate, hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound and a non-polar atmospheric gas, the composition being initially held within the hollow interior at 800 psi; and (B) venting the composition from the hollow interior to an external environment being at one atmosphere to creating a hydrophobic and anhydrous clathrate.

9. The process of claim 8 further comprising a step of depositing the hydrophobic and anhydrous clathrate upon a surface heated to at least 300 C and further causing a decomposition of the hydrophobic and anhydrous clathrate that further deposits a silicon dioxide upon said surface.

10. The process of claim 8 further comprising a step of depositing a hydrophobic and anhydrous clathrate upon a surface heated to less 300 C and further causing the hydrophobic and anhydrous clathrate to separate into the non-hydrate, hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound and the non-polar atmospheric gas, the non-hydrate, hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound further evaporating without a depositing a silicon dioxide upon the said surface.

11. The process of claim 8 wherein the step of creating the hydrophobic and anhydrous clathrate having a formation of a particulate frozen carbon dioxide and a particulate frozen decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.

12. The process of claim 8 wherein the step of creating the hydrophobic and anhydrous clathrate further comprises a step of accepting a particulate frozen carbon dioxide within one or more channels of a lattice work as provided by a frozen decamethylcyclopentasiloxane.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is substantially a cutaway elevation view of one embodiment of fire extinguisher of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is substantially a flow chart schematic for of one embodiment of the method for operating the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(3) In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

(4) The present invention could be a firefighting system comprising of a new firefighting composition, fire extinguisher, the use of the composition could create a new clathrate within a discharge plume, and the new clathrate within a discharge plume could provide enhanced firefighting capabilities.

(5) The firefighting composition could be homologous and could be formed by combining a at high pressure at room temperature a non-hydrate, hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound and non-polar atmospheric gas together. In one embodiment, the non-hydrate, hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound could have at least a freezing point of at least −20° C. at one atmosphere. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound could be a cyclopentasiloxane. In at least one version, cyclopentasiloxane could be decamethylcyclopentasiloxane or dodecamethylcyclopentasiloxane C10H30O5Si5

(6) ##STR00001##
In at least one embodiment, the non-polar atmospheric gas could be carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) (liquid).

(7) In at least one embodiment of the invention, the composition could have a percentage ratio of at least 12 liquid ounces of decamethylcyclopentasiloxane to 40 liquid ounces of liquid carbon dioxide, the composition being initially pressurized to high pressure of at least 800 psi. Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane may be considered decahedron-pentagonal ring structure having 3-D (10) pentagonal faces of silicon and oxygen with a hollow center that can also be occupied by a “guest molecule” such as CO.sub.2 in a manner similar to the dodecahedra formation of water molecules (as in hydra-based clathrates) providing a space for “guest” molecules typically non-polar gases, i.e. CO.sub.2, O.sub.2, N.sub.2, etc. Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, also known in literature as D5, is a well-known, environmentally friendly ring compound that is one of the most common ingredients used in personal care and cosmetic products (as a skin emollient and cosmetic delivery agent) as well as being a key ingredient used in environmentally friendly (e.g., Green) high-pressure dry-cleaning systems.

(8) When hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound (e.g., liquid decamethylcyclopentasiloxane [C.sub.10H.sub.30O.sub.5Si.sub.5]) and non-polar atmospheric gas (e.g., liquid carbon dioxide [CO.sub.2]) are combined substantially under high pressure and room temperature, the resulting composition upon discharge (e.g., released from the high pressure) may have potentially good firefighting capabilities. Both compounds are anhydrate, generally ensuring good homogenous mixture when combined. At −110° C., the liquid CO.sub.2 instantly sublimes to dry ice while hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane also occurs at a solid phase at that temperature as well (e.g., decamethylcyclopentasiloxane [C10H30O5Si5) has freezing temperature of −40° C.) helping create the clathrate and further provide for a snowy discharge plume. Further, at 300° C. and above, the decamethylcyclopentasiloxane may decompose into methane, carbon dioxide and silica dioxide (SiO.sub.2). Below 300° C., decamethylcyclopentasiloxane generally evaporates rather than decompose.

(9) As substantially shown in FIG. 1, the fire extinguisher embodiment of the invention 10 could generally be built to industry, certification and government established structural parameters for carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) fire extinguishers. The invention 10 could comprise a fire extinguisher 20 having a cylindrical container 22 sealable by a valve 24, the valve 24 controllably connecting a hollow container interior 26 defined by the container exterior 28 to an external environment 30. The valve 24 could further controllably connect the hollow container interior 26 to a conical discharge tube or horn 32. The valve 24 can be operated by a handle/movable lever combination 34 guarded by a removably inserted safety pin 36 proximately engaging the valve 24.

(10) As noted above, cyclopentasiloxane (e.g., decamethylcyclopentasiloxane) which is in a liquid state at one atmosphere and room temperature can be loaded through an open valve and into the cylinder interior first. Then liquid carbon dioxide pressurized at more than 800 psi (and at room temperature) is loaded through the open valve and into the cylinder interior as well. Once both compounds are loaded into the cylinder to form the composition 38, the container 22 is sealed (via the valve 24) at high pressure (e.g., 850 psi) and the discharge horn 32 is connected to the valve 24.

(11) When the extinguisher embodiment is activated, an operator (not shown) can remove the safety pin 36 from the valve 24, can operate the handle-lever combination 34 with the other hand (e.g., squeeze the handle and lever together) and then point an open wide end of the discharge horn 32 in the direction of the fire. Moving the lever connects the pressurized composition 38 to the discharge horn 32 to form the discharge plume. The operator can then direct the discharge horn 32 to direct discharge plume to a base of fire (e.g., fire fuel—not shown).

(12) The present invention could use the fire extinguisher composition to substantially create a new clathrate with firefighting capabilities in the discharge plume. This formed clathrate could be a cyclopentasiloxane/carbon dioxide clathrate, which is not considered to a hydrate, but rather hydrophobic and anhydrous. When the liquid decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and liquid CO.sub.2 are combined under high pressure, the resulting firefighting homologous composition may be held within a sealable vessel (e.g., cylindrical container) that is pressurized to at least 800 psi (preferably to 850 psi.) Under these circumstances, it is believed that an inclusion composition stage is set for creating the clathrate structure as a suspension of aerodynamic nano/micro-sized particle structures. The clathrate may comprise a lattice or cage-type of chemical structure wherein the lattice structure is formed of host or inclusion molecules (e.g frozen decamethylcyclopentasiloxane) that could trap guest molecule(s) (e.g., frozen CO.sub.2) within a cavity as defined by the lattice structure. The definition of host or inclusion molecules may be very broad, extending as well as to those channels formed between inclusion molecules making up the crystal lattice in which guest molecules can fit.

(13) In this particular embodiment the decamethylcyclopentasiloxane via its ring structure may be suitable to form a solid host structure that creates a lattice with a cavity that retains solid carbon dioxide as a guest molecule to form a cyclopentasiloxane/carbon dioxide clathrate. The clathrate formation could occur with an energy transfer between the liquid CO.sub.2 to liquid decamethylcyclopentasiloxane during the phase change of liquid CO.sub.2 that occurs during the sudden pressure drop (e.g., inside the discharge horn) when the liquid CO.sub.2/decamethylcyclopentasiloxane composition moves from a high pressurization within the sealable vessel contained CO.sub.2 (e.g., 800 or more psi) to the one atmosphere pressure (about 15 psi) of the outside environment (e.g., external to the vessel.) This energy transfer could create the necessary cold environment that provides the particulate solid CO.sub.2 (e.g., dry ice) and the solid decamethylcyclopentasiloxane needed for the creation of the cyclopentasiloxane/carbon dioxide clathrate. The cyclopentasiloxane/carbon dioxide clathrate particles, as discharge plume, forms a dense white fog or cloud that is much denser that provided by the pure carbon dioxide dry ice particle formation. The composition discharge plume also may reach fire fuel placed at a greater distance than normally could be expected of a plumb delivery by a similar ordinary CO.sub.2 fire extinguisher. The composition discharge plume also exceeded the dwell time of a discharge plume of a regular CO.sub.2 fire extinguisher.

(14) The unexpected existence of this clathrate as created by the fire extinguisher composition was determined when fire testing a CO.sub.2 type fire extinguisher containing the invention composition. At the end of one such fire test, when the discharge horn was pointed to the ground, a frozen aggregate of the composition unexpectedly fell out of the discharge horn and dropped upon the ground. It was initially theorized that generally enclosed end of the discharge horn, substantially being conducive to the creation of subzero environment, had allowed an accumulation or aggregation of dry ice to form and fall out. Instead of acting as normal dry ice and slowly sublimating gaseous carbon dioxide generally from the dry ice structure, the frozen aggregate unexpectedly appeared to be bubbling or effervescing along frozen aggregate's bottom edge next to the warm pavement. This kind of decomposition, along the above-described physical properties of the two compounds, indicated that decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and carbon dioxide composition had formed a clathrate. The observed bubbling was not a dry ice sublimation per se, rather the frozen aggregate bubbling was effervescing CO.sub.2 gas and free-flowing cyclopentasiloxane (e.g., decamethylcyclopentasiloxane) fluid separating from one another as the formed clathrate decomposed at one atmosphere and at basically room temperature.

(15) The invention's discharge plume, if the clathrate contacts a heated (e.g., by fire) surface, may have additional firefighting capabilities. One of the inventor's observed decamethylcyclopentasiloxane being used in a high-pressure, green, dry-cleaning system and was sent thorough a pipe into contact with a heated environment. It was noted that that the pipe would repeatedly clog up and not allow passage of the decamethylcyclopentasiloxane. Upon examination of the pipe interior, it was found that when cyclopentasiloxane passed through the heated portion of the pipe began to decompose. During decamethylcyclopentasiloxane decomposition, methane and carbon dioxide were released as well as the precipitation of nano-particulate solid silica dioxide (SiO.sub.2) also known as nano-amorphous silica or sand. Sand, along with water, is known as one of the oldest firefighting materials.

(16) As such, it is believed that when the cyclopentasiloxane/CO.sub.2 clathrate comes into a contact with a heated surface (via contact with a fire extinguisher's discharge plume), the clathrate begins to disintegrate and releases the otherwise captive CO.sub.2 (e.g., for firefighting oxygen displacement) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (e.g., to impregnate and coat actual and potential fire fuel). If the coated structures are heated or become subsequently timely heated (e.g., above 300° C.), then the clathrate methyl groups may be consumed with the remaining decamethylcyclopentasiloxane portions releasing as silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) also known as nano-amorphous silica or sand.

(17) As observed in fire testing of the invention, the deposited sand covering generally forms a powder-like, fire-resistant coating to isolate the fuel from the fire to extinguish the fire as well as preventing a later reignition of the coated fuel. In this manner, the clathrate as created and delivered by the fire extinguisher discharge plume can act as a smothering agent that may allow the clathrate enhanced CO.sub.2 fire extinguisher to be uprated and be used on A-type material fires. In some firefighting circumstances, discharge procedure for the invention may require certain firefighting applications to establish the powder-like fire resistant coating without over spraying the coating with new amount of clathrate.

(18) If the discharge plume clathrate does not come into contact with a heated (surface (e.g., fire related) and the cyclopentasiloxane/CO.sub.2 clathrate warms above 300° C., the clathrate will generally decompose or evaporate to release the cyclopentasiloxane and CO.sub.2 into the atmosphere in a non-environmentally harmful manner in keeping with the cyclopentasiloxane well-known uses. In this manner, the use of the invention may avoid the expense, difficulty and time for an after-fire residue cleanup and damage as caused by MAP or foam-type fire extinguishers.

(19) To first test the potential firefighting ability of decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, the liquid decamethylcyclopentasiloxane; by itself was applied to cover and possibly penetrate a portion of a wooden fuel structure (e.g., A-1 crib wood fire [representing 1 cubic feet of surface area]). When the wooden fuel structure was set on fire, the intensity of the resulting fire heated the coated decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and caused the decamethylcyclopentasiloxane to breakdown or decomposes (rather than evaporate.) In doing so, the decamethylcyclopentasiloxane created a whitish-gray particulate dust-like film (e.g., a nano silica dioxide) upon the coated portions of the wooden fuel structure. When fire was subsequently extinguished and a relite attempted, the formed silica oxide coating prevented ignition of the that portion of the covered fire fuel (e.g., by separating oxygen from the fire fuel.) The reignition prevention capability of the decamethylcyclopentasiloxane is a property otherwise singularly lacking in standard CO.sub.2 firefighting.

(20) The decamethylcyclopentasiloxane that was applied to and coated the fire fuel but was not heated (e.g., activated or decomposed) by the fire, there appeared to be no trace of the compound in due time under normal circumstances (e.g., room temperature, one atmosphere.) This observation may indicate that the undecomposed (non-heat activated) decamethylcyclopentasiloxane simply evaporated away, leaving the formerly coated and unheated fire fuel portion unharmed. This is a key property of CO.sub.2 firefighting systems, that unheated portions of B-type firefighting systems do not otherwise damage with residue those portions of materials (especially electrical/electronic equipment) otherwise unharmed by the fire.

(21) To further test the operation of the invention's composition, cyclopentasiloxane (e.g., decamethylcyclopentasiloxane) was loaded (poured) into a high-pressure sealable container (i.e., an empty CO.sub.2 fire extinguisher container though an open fire extinguisher valve). The cyclopentasiloxane was loaded at room temperature and at one atmosphere (i.e., the atmospheric pressure existing at sea level which is a just little less than 15 psi) in a liquid phase. Liquid carbon dioxide (generally held under much higher pressure than the cyclopentasiloxane at this time [such as 800 or more such as psi-850 psi]) was subsequently loaded into the high-pressure container. The handle on the valve was released to removably seal the container. The discharge horn was reattached to the valve. The formed composition appeared to be homogenous and otherwise uniformly mixed, with a high potential for stable shelf.

(22) Another wooden stacked fire fuel structure was ignited and allowed to be fully engulfed. The discharge horn was directed at the fire, the horn handle/lever were grasped to release the composition and the resulting discharge plume quickly extinguished the materials fire, something a regular CO.sub.2 fire extinguisher on a previous attempted fire test could not do. The discharge plumb left a gray non-evaporative, particulate deposit where the fire had ignited and burned on the wood. When a relite of the fire fuel was attempted, reignition of the fire fuel was not possible where there was the silica dioxide gray deposited on the previously heated fuel source.

(23) As substantially shown in FIG. 2, one possible method or process 100 of operation of the invention could start with step 102 preparing the fire extinguisher. This step could commence with procuring and preparing a sealable high-pressure vessel or container (e.g., a basic CO.sub.2 fire extinguisher tank). The tank could further define a hollow interior whose access to an environment external to the tank is controlled by a valve connected to the hollow interior. A discharge horn could be removably connected by a narrow nozzle end to the valve. The discharge horn could be disconnected from the valve and the valve could be opened to provide controlled access from the outside environment to the hollow interior.

(24) Liquid hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound (e.g., decamethylcyclopentasiloxane) and liquid (pressurized) carbon dioxide could also be suitable procured as well.

(25) As this step is substantially completed the process 100 could continue to the step 104, creating the composition,

(26) At step 104, creating the composition, the hydrophobic, cyclic organo-siloxane compound (e.g., decamethylcyclopentasiloxane) could be first loaded (e.g., poured) through the open valve. The cyclopentasiloxane could be so loaded at room temperature and at one atmosphere (i.e., the atmospheric pressure existing at sea level which may be just little less than 15 psi) in a liquid phase. Then high-pressure, liquid carbon dioxide (generally held under much higher pressure than the cyclopentasiloxane at this time [such as 800 or more psi-850 psi]) could subsequently loaded (through a suitable liquid carbon dioxide delivery apparatus connected to the open valve) into the hollow interior of the high-pressure container. The high-pressure container may then be sealed (via the valve) at 800 or more psi (e.g., 850 psi) for optimal clathrate forming operations. The discharge horn may then be reassembled upon the closed valve. It is believed that the cyclopentasiloxane/carbon dioxide liquid composition is both homologous and long-term stable under these conditions and can be stored at room temperature. After this step substantially completed, the process 100 could proceed to 106, venting the composition.

(27) At step 106, venting the composition. The discharge horn is aimed at the intended target (base of a suitable fire.) The valve is opened, internal pressure propels the composition through the valve providing a controlled flow rate. The composition is vented to the nozzle (an otherwise enclosed end) of the discharge horn. The composition may hit the wall of the discharge horn wherein the liquid carbon dioxide upon reaching the one atmosphere outside environment, absorbs heat to create a super cooling (−110 degrees C.) conditions in the enclosed end of the discharge horn. In this super-cooled environment, both carbon dioxide and cyclopentasiloxane [e.g., decamethylcyclopentasiloxane] freeze into respective particulate solids (micro-to-nano particulates.) The cyclopentasiloxane's frozen state may present a solid dodecahedron (polyhedral) shape (e.g., the lattice structure with denoted cavity) at one atmospheric pressure to substantially trap solid carbon dioxide as the guest molecules. This action resulting in the formation of particulate clathrate with the resulting plume discharge being a suspension of aerodynamic nano/micro-sized particle structures forming a cold white fog. The pressure of the carbon dioxide pushes the aerodynamic nano/micro-sized particle structures, as directed by the direction of the discharge horn, towards the fire. At the substantial conclusion of this step, the process 100 could proceed to step 108, interacting with the fire situation.

(28) Step 108, interacting with the fire situation, the clathrate particles could contact materials proximate to the fire situation. If the formed clathrate reaches fire-heated materials, the clathrate may disintegrate, releasing fire suppressing gaseous CO.sub.2 and depositing the cyclopentasiloxane [e.g., decamethylcyclopentasiloxane] upon the heated materials. If the heated materials are heated to 300 C degrees or more, then upon deposit, the cyclopentasiloxane [e.g., decamethylcyclopentasiloxane] may decompose to release hydrocarbons and methane, but more importantly, deposits silica dioxide upon the heated surface. This deposited coating or covering may isolate oxygen from the fire fuel to knock one legs of the fire triangle. The coating by maintaining this oxygen isolation solution, may further provide fire suppression and prevent subsequent re-ignition of the fire fuel.

(29) If the clathrate generally contacts the surface of material heated to less than 300° C., the clathrate may normally disintegrate to release the carbon dioxide and cyclopentasiloxane [e.g., decamethylcyclopentasiloxane]. In these circumstances, the decamethylcyclopentasiloxane evaporates rather than disintegrates, and does not leave any residue (e.g., silica dioxide) upon the material surface not otherwise harmed by the fire.

(30) The fire extinguisher may be discharged until the fire is brought under suitable control. At that time, the spring-loaded lever could be released to close the valve again. At the substantial conclusion of this step, the process 100 could proceed back to step 106 as needed.

CONCLUSION

(31) Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.

(32) As disclosed within, the invention could increase a dwell time of CO.sub.2 type fire extinguisher; generally augment a CO.sub.2 type fire extinguisher capabilities to obtain multiple fire ratings; generally provide a fire extinguisher with a CO.sub.2 discharge plume with a heat-activated clathrate that when deposited upon a heated object (e.g., heated by the fire), the clathrate will provide an inert fire smothering agent to further isolate fuel from the fire; substantially prevent reignition of the fire; generally provide a discharge plume that otherwise harmlessly dissipates into the atmosphere if the discharge plume does not contact heated surface(s); generally does not leave discharge residue on items otherwise not affected or heat damaged by the fire; could decrease the difficultness, cost and time to clean up after the fire is extinguished; and could provide a discharge plume that projects for a greater distance and has a low environmental impact.