CA1252959A - Liquid foam extinguishing agent - Google Patents
Liquid foam extinguishing agentInfo
- Publication number
- CA1252959A CA1252959A CA000476562A CA476562A CA1252959A CA 1252959 A CA1252959 A CA 1252959A CA 000476562 A CA000476562 A CA 000476562A CA 476562 A CA476562 A CA 476562A CA 1252959 A CA1252959 A CA 1252959A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- extinguishing agent
- liquid foam
- fire extinguishing
- foam fire
- agent according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000008258 liquid foam Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 35
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 53
- -1 fluoro chloro hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 239000004088 foaming agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 150000008282 halocarbons Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 125000003709 fluoroalkyl group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- OAYXUHPQHDHDDZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol Chemical compound CCCCOCCOCCO OAYXUHPQHDHDDZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000872 buffer Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000003112 inhibitor Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- DDMOUSALMHHKOS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,2-dichloro-1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane Chemical compound FC(F)(Cl)C(F)(F)Cl DDMOUSALMHHKOS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- IAYPIBMASNFSPL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene oxide Chemical compound C1CO1 IAYPIBMASNFSPL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- GOOHAUXETOMSMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propylene oxide Chemical compound CC1CO1 GOOHAUXETOMSMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001400 block copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- BDHFUVZGWQCTTF-UHFFFAOYSA-M sulfonate Chemical compound [O-]S(=O)=O BDHFUVZGWQCTTF-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 3
- BOSAWIQFTJIYIS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane Chemical compound FC(F)(F)C(Cl)(Cl)Cl BOSAWIQFTJIYIS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000000129 anionic group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 2
- 229940087091 dichlorotetrafluoroethane Drugs 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 claims 2
- KXDHJXZQYSOELW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbamic acid Chemical compound NC(O)=O KXDHJXZQYSOELW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000007928 solubilization Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005063 solubilization Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 abstract description 43
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 abstract description 34
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 abstract description 12
- RVGRUAULSDPKGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Poloxamer Chemical compound C1CO1.CC1CO1 RVGRUAULSDPKGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 125000001153 fluoro group Chemical group F* 0.000 description 8
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 229940052308 general anesthetics halogenated hydrocarbons Drugs 0.000 description 5
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000003380 propellant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000009834 vaporization Methods 0.000 description 3
- YXIWHUQXZSMYRE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,3-benzothiazole-2-thiol Chemical compound C1=CC=C2SC(S)=NC2=C1 YXIWHUQXZSMYRE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine atom Chemical compound [F] YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 125000005010 perfluoroalkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 229910001369 Brass Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 244000228957 Ferula foetida Species 0.000 description 1
- RAHZWNYVWXNFOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulphur dioxide Chemical compound O=S=O RAHZWNYVWXNFOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000002730 additional effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001464 adherent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001412 amines Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000006265 aqueous foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010951 brass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000001309 chloro group Chemical group Cl* 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002334 glycols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000012456 homogeneous solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002798 polar solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011814 protection agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003223 protective agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 159000000000 sodium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000003381 solubilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Fire-Extinguishing Compositions (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A liquid foam extinguishing agent contains as hydro-carbon or hydrocarbons a halogenated hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbons, preferably one or more fluoro chloro hydrocarbons, and surfactants as foaming agents.
The hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons are introduced into the foaming agent in such a way that a gel-like or watery homogeneous foam extinguishing agent results. When mixed with water an extinguishing emulsion is formed, that develops its full effectiveness only at the seat of the fire and foams only at the seat of the fire. This foam extinguishing agent can be conveyed over great distances, and thus makes fire fighting from great distances possible,and has a particularly good adhesiveness.
A liquid foam extinguishing agent contains as hydro-carbon or hydrocarbons a halogenated hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbons, preferably one or more fluoro chloro hydrocarbons, and surfactants as foaming agents.
The hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons are introduced into the foaming agent in such a way that a gel-like or watery homogeneous foam extinguishing agent results. When mixed with water an extinguishing emulsion is formed, that develops its full effectiveness only at the seat of the fire and foams only at the seat of the fire. This foam extinguishing agent can be conveyed over great distances, and thus makes fire fighting from great distances possible,and has a particularly good adhesiveness.
Description
s~
LIQUID FOAM EXTINGUISEIING AGENT
The invention relates to a liquid foam extinguis-hing agent~
A liquid foam extinguishing agent is already known from DE-AS 2330571, which consists of one or two halogenated hydrocarbons and a foaming agent, for com-batting fire.
Other foam extinguishing ayents are known in which the foam is generated by means of a foam pipe with admixture of air or CO2. Disadvantageously, foam extin-guishing agents of this type arrive at the seat of the fire in the form of a foam, which implies that the foamed material must on occasions be delivered in already-foamed form to the seat of the fire over a long di~tance. These known foam agents permit the foam pipe to be at a small distance only from the -flame front. In spite of the use of heat-protective clothing it is often not possible for rescue parties to approach the seat of the fire sufficiently closely.
The task underlying the invention is to provide a liquid foam extinguishing agent of the type mentioned in the introduction, which permits effective fire fighting, in particular the fighting of fuel fire or the like.
The present invention provides a liquid foam fire extinguishing agent comprising ~a halogenated hydrocarbon in an amount ranging from 20 to 90 parts by weight, a surfactant in an amount effective as a foaming agent, .,., ~
and a block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide in an amount effective as a stabilizer.
Further developments of the liquid foam extinguis-hing agent as well as a process for the manufacture of such a liquid foam extinguishing agent will become apparent from the sub-claims.
The invention concerns a liquid or aqueous foam extinguishing agent, which contains as hydrocarbons halo-genated hydrocarbons and in which surfactants are provided as forming agents. The hydracarbons are introduced into the foaming agent in such a way that a gel-like or watery homogeneous foam extinguishing agent results. When mixed with water, an extinguishing emulsion is formed, which surprisingly foams up only at the seat of the fire. Advan-tageously, the halogenated hydrocarbon mixture develops its full effect only at the seat of the fire, because it causes the foaming agent to foam up only at the seat of the fire. The foam bubbles which are formed from emulsion droplets are filled with a quasi-inert gas so that any danger of re-ignition is precluded.
The foam extinguishing agent which is gel-like or of watery appearance is added in particular proportions to the extinguishing water with formation of an emulstion and is delivered to the seat of the lire in the form of a stream or spray jet in the same way that water is. Only in or at the seat of the fire does foam formation take place by ,~ .,i vaporisation of the halogenated hydrocarbon components, as a result of the energy or heat available at the seat of the fire.
A further surprising effect is the adherent ability of the liquid foam extinguishing agent, which scarcely runs off vertical walls and which permits effective fire fighting even on vertical walls.
As a result of the effect of the liquid foam exting-uishing agent which has been shown to be surprising~ foaming up only at the heart of the fire as a result of -the heat energy, it is possible to project the foam extinguishing agent without difficulty over great distances; as a result use of the liquid foam extinguishing agent is easily possible even from a great distance and the desired combatting of the seat of the fire is attainable. In the following, preferred embodiments of the liquid foam extinguishing agent and also a process Eor the manufacture of such a liquid foam extinguishing agent will be explained in more detail.
The liquid foam extinguishing agent contains at least one hydrocarbon and one foaming agent. The foam extinguis-~; hing agent comprises two to 90 parts by weight of a hydrocarbonor hydrocarbons with the foaming agent as the balance.
As hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons are preferably used- Surfactan^ts are preferably used as foaming agents. The use of fluorine-containing surfactants has been shown to be particularly advantageous. As fluorine-containing surfactants, an amphoteric fluoro alkyl aminocarboxylic acid or an anionic fluoro alkyl sodium sulfon~
ate are used. In general the fluoro surfactants used con-sist of anion-active perfluoro alkyl compounds. The fluoro surfactants are synthesised based on perfluoro alkane sulfonates.
According to another embodiment the liquid foam extinguishing agent preferably contains corrosion inhibi-tors and/or buffers and/or antifreezing agent. As frost protection agents glycols may for examplè be used as buffers amines and as corrosion inhibitors, for example the sodium salt of mercapto benzothiazole. The use of frost protec-tive agents may be necessary, if the liquid foam extinguis-hing agent has to be stored in winter in unheated areas.
Buffers keep the p~l value stable and corrosion inhibitors help to protect the materials such as iron, copper and brass, which are present in the fire extinguishers.
To introduce the fluoro hydrocarbon or fluoro hydro-carbons into the surfactants a propylene oxide-ethylene Oxide block and mixed polymer is used as a stabilizer and butyl diglycol is,used as a solution aid. The incorpora-tion of propylene oxide ethylene oxide block and mixed poly-mers is particularly advantageous. As a result of their solubilizing and consistency-gLving effect, a stable inGor-poration of the specific heavy halogenated hydrocarbons is possible. The foam extinguishing agent thus formed is dis-tinguished by exceptional stability in polar solvent fires and fuel fires. As a mixture of halogenated hydrocarbons ~ 5 --or as the fluoro chloro hydrocarbons, the low-~oiling dichlorotetrafluoroethane which has a boiling point of 3.6C and the relatively higher boilin~ trichlorotri1uoro-ethane having a boiling point of 47.6C, are preferably used.
The fluoro surfactants used in the li~uid foam extin-guishing agents are perfluoro alkyl compounds. As forming agents, surfactants, synthetic foaming agents and AFFF-foaming agents are employed. The AFFF-foaming agents con-sist of pure water-based fluoro surfactant foam types, such as for example, Light Water. Essential for the liquid foam extinguishing agents is the employment of a fluoro chloro hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons in combination with the above mentioned foaming agent in the orm of surfactants or fluoro surfactants. Examples of liquid foaming agent compositions will be given below:
Example 1.
5% fluoro alkyl sodium sulfonate 1~ propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block and mixed polymer
LIQUID FOAM EXTINGUISEIING AGENT
The invention relates to a liquid foam extinguis-hing agent~
A liquid foam extinguishing agent is already known from DE-AS 2330571, which consists of one or two halogenated hydrocarbons and a foaming agent, for com-batting fire.
Other foam extinguishing ayents are known in which the foam is generated by means of a foam pipe with admixture of air or CO2. Disadvantageously, foam extin-guishing agents of this type arrive at the seat of the fire in the form of a foam, which implies that the foamed material must on occasions be delivered in already-foamed form to the seat of the fire over a long di~tance. These known foam agents permit the foam pipe to be at a small distance only from the -flame front. In spite of the use of heat-protective clothing it is often not possible for rescue parties to approach the seat of the fire sufficiently closely.
The task underlying the invention is to provide a liquid foam extinguishing agent of the type mentioned in the introduction, which permits effective fire fighting, in particular the fighting of fuel fire or the like.
The present invention provides a liquid foam fire extinguishing agent comprising ~a halogenated hydrocarbon in an amount ranging from 20 to 90 parts by weight, a surfactant in an amount effective as a foaming agent, .,., ~
and a block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide in an amount effective as a stabilizer.
Further developments of the liquid foam extinguis-hing agent as well as a process for the manufacture of such a liquid foam extinguishing agent will become apparent from the sub-claims.
The invention concerns a liquid or aqueous foam extinguishing agent, which contains as hydrocarbons halo-genated hydrocarbons and in which surfactants are provided as forming agents. The hydracarbons are introduced into the foaming agent in such a way that a gel-like or watery homogeneous foam extinguishing agent results. When mixed with water, an extinguishing emulsion is formed, which surprisingly foams up only at the seat of the fire. Advan-tageously, the halogenated hydrocarbon mixture develops its full effect only at the seat of the fire, because it causes the foaming agent to foam up only at the seat of the fire. The foam bubbles which are formed from emulsion droplets are filled with a quasi-inert gas so that any danger of re-ignition is precluded.
The foam extinguishing agent which is gel-like or of watery appearance is added in particular proportions to the extinguishing water with formation of an emulstion and is delivered to the seat of the lire in the form of a stream or spray jet in the same way that water is. Only in or at the seat of the fire does foam formation take place by ,~ .,i vaporisation of the halogenated hydrocarbon components, as a result of the energy or heat available at the seat of the fire.
A further surprising effect is the adherent ability of the liquid foam extinguishing agent, which scarcely runs off vertical walls and which permits effective fire fighting even on vertical walls.
As a result of the effect of the liquid foam exting-uishing agent which has been shown to be surprising~ foaming up only at the heart of the fire as a result of -the heat energy, it is possible to project the foam extinguishing agent without difficulty over great distances; as a result use of the liquid foam extinguishing agent is easily possible even from a great distance and the desired combatting of the seat of the fire is attainable. In the following, preferred embodiments of the liquid foam extinguishing agent and also a process Eor the manufacture of such a liquid foam extinguishing agent will be explained in more detail.
The liquid foam extinguishing agent contains at least one hydrocarbon and one foaming agent. The foam extinguis-~; hing agent comprises two to 90 parts by weight of a hydrocarbonor hydrocarbons with the foaming agent as the balance.
As hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons are preferably used- Surfactan^ts are preferably used as foaming agents. The use of fluorine-containing surfactants has been shown to be particularly advantageous. As fluorine-containing surfactants, an amphoteric fluoro alkyl aminocarboxylic acid or an anionic fluoro alkyl sodium sulfon~
ate are used. In general the fluoro surfactants used con-sist of anion-active perfluoro alkyl compounds. The fluoro surfactants are synthesised based on perfluoro alkane sulfonates.
According to another embodiment the liquid foam extinguishing agent preferably contains corrosion inhibi-tors and/or buffers and/or antifreezing agent. As frost protection agents glycols may for examplè be used as buffers amines and as corrosion inhibitors, for example the sodium salt of mercapto benzothiazole. The use of frost protec-tive agents may be necessary, if the liquid foam extinguis-hing agent has to be stored in winter in unheated areas.
Buffers keep the p~l value stable and corrosion inhibitors help to protect the materials such as iron, copper and brass, which are present in the fire extinguishers.
To introduce the fluoro hydrocarbon or fluoro hydro-carbons into the surfactants a propylene oxide-ethylene Oxide block and mixed polymer is used as a stabilizer and butyl diglycol is,used as a solution aid. The incorpora-tion of propylene oxide ethylene oxide block and mixed poly-mers is particularly advantageous. As a result of their solubilizing and consistency-gLving effect, a stable inGor-poration of the specific heavy halogenated hydrocarbons is possible. The foam extinguishing agent thus formed is dis-tinguished by exceptional stability in polar solvent fires and fuel fires. As a mixture of halogenated hydrocarbons ~ 5 --or as the fluoro chloro hydrocarbons, the low-~oiling dichlorotetrafluoroethane which has a boiling point of 3.6C and the relatively higher boilin~ trichlorotri1uoro-ethane having a boiling point of 47.6C, are preferably used.
The fluoro surfactants used in the li~uid foam extin-guishing agents are perfluoro alkyl compounds. As forming agents, surfactants, synthetic foaming agents and AFFF-foaming agents are employed. The AFFF-foaming agents con-sist of pure water-based fluoro surfactant foam types, such as for example, Light Water. Essential for the liquid foam extinguishing agents is the employment of a fluoro chloro hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons in combination with the above mentioned foaming agent in the orm of surfactants or fluoro surfactants. Examples of liquid foaming agent compositions will be given below:
Example 1.
5% fluoro alkyl sodium sulfonate 1~ propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block and mixed polymer
2% butyl diglycol 10% fluoro, chloro hydrocarbon mix This forms a homogeneous foam extinguishing agent of watery appearance; mixed with 82% water this forms the completed extinguishing emulsion.
Example 2.
5% fluoro alkyl amino carboxylic acid 1% propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block and mixed polymer rc~le, ~lQ~k ~ r~
~6~
2% butyl diglycol 10% fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture This forms a homogeneous foam extinguishing agent of watery appearance; mixed with 82% water, the completed extinguishing emulsion results.
Example 3.
10% fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture 2% propylene oxide - ethylene oxide and mixed polymer.
10% fluoro Alkyl Sodium sulfonate This forms a gel-like foam extinguishing agent;
mixed with 78% water, it results in the completed extin-guishing emulsion.
Example 4.
6% Light Water FC206 1.5% propylene oxide - ethylene oxide - block and mixed polymer 10% fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture This foams a gel-like foam extinguishing agent;
mixed with 82.5% water, this forms the completed extin-guishing emulsion.
Example 5.
6% Light Water FC203 1% propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block and mixed polymer 10% fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture This forms a homogeneous foam extinguishing agent with a watery appearance; mixed with 83% water this forms the completed extinguishing emulsion.
. - 6 -3t~t~
Example 6.
5% Light Water FC600 type ATC
0.3% propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block and mixed polymer 5% fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture This forms a gel-like foam extinguishing agent;
mixed with 89.7% water this forms the completed extinguis-hing emulsion.
Testing of the liquid foam extinguishing agent according to the previously-given example on a 4 m2 stan-dard fire resulted in a maximum extinguishing time of 18 seconds with a maximum consumption of about 8 litres of the liquid foam extinguishing emulsion. With this extinguishing emulsion large pro~ection distances, comparable with water, can be achieved, so that it was possible to attack the seat of the fire from a great distance. The lower boiling component of the fluoro chloro hydrocarbon material used, namely the dichlorote-trafluoroethane functions in the fluoro hydrocarbon mixture in such a way that as soon as it passes the flame front a foam remains on the surface, so that a downflow of the higher boiling hydrocarbons which have not yet been vaporised is avoi,ded. The fluoro chloro hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons used, which can also be designated as a fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture, thus release their full effect only at the seat of the fire, because foaming takes place only at the seat of the fire and the emul-sion droplets form foam bubbles as a result of vaporis-ation of the quasi-insert gas, as a result of which any - 8 ~
danger of re-ignition is practically precluded. The emulsion droplets determine the bubble size. The foam formation is brought about by the heat vaporisation of the fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture present in the form 5 of very small droplets in the foam extinguishing agent.
Each droplet of fluoro chloro hydrocarbon vaporises only as a result of the energy available at the seat of the fire. Each of these small fluoro chloro hydrocarbon bubbles is surrounded by a surfactant film having low surface tension and so the size of the bubbles in the nascent foam is predetermined by the size of the droplets in the liquid foam extinguishing agent. Surprisingly, a finely-porous foam with great adhesiveness is thus formed. Thus, because each foam bubble is filled with a quasi-inert gas, the possibility of any re-ignition is eliminatèd, as long as a covering of foam is present.
With the liquid foam extinguisher material, the genera-tion of foam by means of a foam pipe or admixing of water or C02 to the extinguishing material is avoided, which is advantageous; on the contrary the foam will be formed spontaneously by the emulsified quasi-inert propellant under the effect of the heat available at the seat of the fire. The low boiling portion of the fluoro hydro-carbon mixture creates an initial rapid formation of bubbles, so that the extinguishing emulsion, which is heaYier than water, floats on the propellant and solvents. The portion of the fluoro hydrocarbon mixture that boils at tempera-tures above the normal temperature of the surroundings, for example ~o~
in the form of trichlorotrifluoroethane, creates the actual foam under the influence of heat. Each foam bubble represents one emulsion droplet, so that the foam will be very finely porous and uniform, so that it retains excellent adhesiveness on vertical structures.
The manufacture of the liquid foam extinguishing material proceeds by intimate admixing of stabilizers, solubility aids and the fluoro hydrocarbon mixture with the fluoro surfactant or foaming agent to produce a homogeneous solution or a gel-like form, over a period of about 10 minutes at room temperature. According to a preferred embodiment of the process the fluoro hydrocarbon, together with the stabilizer and the solubility aid and the surfactant or surfactants, will be stirred slowly together until a gel or a homogeneous watery phase results. This watery phase is mixed in particular proportions with the extinguishing water to form an emulsion. The gel or the wa-tery phase are mixed with the extinguishing water in a ratio from about 1:99 to ~0:80 to form the emulsion. The use of addit-ional propellants such as air or C~2 which are requiredwith the known foam extinguishing agents is completely unnecessary with the liquid foam extinguishing agent.
Example 2.
5% fluoro alkyl amino carboxylic acid 1% propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block and mixed polymer rc~le, ~lQ~k ~ r~
~6~
2% butyl diglycol 10% fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture This forms a homogeneous foam extinguishing agent of watery appearance; mixed with 82% water, the completed extinguishing emulsion results.
Example 3.
10% fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture 2% propylene oxide - ethylene oxide and mixed polymer.
10% fluoro Alkyl Sodium sulfonate This forms a gel-like foam extinguishing agent;
mixed with 78% water, it results in the completed extin-guishing emulsion.
Example 4.
6% Light Water FC206 1.5% propylene oxide - ethylene oxide - block and mixed polymer 10% fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture This foams a gel-like foam extinguishing agent;
mixed with 82.5% water, this forms the completed extin-guishing emulsion.
Example 5.
6% Light Water FC203 1% propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block and mixed polymer 10% fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture This forms a homogeneous foam extinguishing agent with a watery appearance; mixed with 83% water this forms the completed extinguishing emulsion.
. - 6 -3t~t~
Example 6.
5% Light Water FC600 type ATC
0.3% propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block and mixed polymer 5% fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture This forms a gel-like foam extinguishing agent;
mixed with 89.7% water this forms the completed extinguis-hing emulsion.
Testing of the liquid foam extinguishing agent according to the previously-given example on a 4 m2 stan-dard fire resulted in a maximum extinguishing time of 18 seconds with a maximum consumption of about 8 litres of the liquid foam extinguishing emulsion. With this extinguishing emulsion large pro~ection distances, comparable with water, can be achieved, so that it was possible to attack the seat of the fire from a great distance. The lower boiling component of the fluoro chloro hydrocarbon material used, namely the dichlorote-trafluoroethane functions in the fluoro hydrocarbon mixture in such a way that as soon as it passes the flame front a foam remains on the surface, so that a downflow of the higher boiling hydrocarbons which have not yet been vaporised is avoi,ded. The fluoro chloro hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons used, which can also be designated as a fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture, thus release their full effect only at the seat of the fire, because foaming takes place only at the seat of the fire and the emul-sion droplets form foam bubbles as a result of vaporis-ation of the quasi-insert gas, as a result of which any - 8 ~
danger of re-ignition is practically precluded. The emulsion droplets determine the bubble size. The foam formation is brought about by the heat vaporisation of the fluoro chloro hydrocarbon mixture present in the form 5 of very small droplets in the foam extinguishing agent.
Each droplet of fluoro chloro hydrocarbon vaporises only as a result of the energy available at the seat of the fire. Each of these small fluoro chloro hydrocarbon bubbles is surrounded by a surfactant film having low surface tension and so the size of the bubbles in the nascent foam is predetermined by the size of the droplets in the liquid foam extinguishing agent. Surprisingly, a finely-porous foam with great adhesiveness is thus formed. Thus, because each foam bubble is filled with a quasi-inert gas, the possibility of any re-ignition is eliminatèd, as long as a covering of foam is present.
With the liquid foam extinguisher material, the genera-tion of foam by means of a foam pipe or admixing of water or C02 to the extinguishing material is avoided, which is advantageous; on the contrary the foam will be formed spontaneously by the emulsified quasi-inert propellant under the effect of the heat available at the seat of the fire. The low boiling portion of the fluoro hydro-carbon mixture creates an initial rapid formation of bubbles, so that the extinguishing emulsion, which is heaYier than water, floats on the propellant and solvents. The portion of the fluoro hydrocarbon mixture that boils at tempera-tures above the normal temperature of the surroundings, for example ~o~
in the form of trichlorotrifluoroethane, creates the actual foam under the influence of heat. Each foam bubble represents one emulsion droplet, so that the foam will be very finely porous and uniform, so that it retains excellent adhesiveness on vertical structures.
The manufacture of the liquid foam extinguishing material proceeds by intimate admixing of stabilizers, solubility aids and the fluoro hydrocarbon mixture with the fluoro surfactant or foaming agent to produce a homogeneous solution or a gel-like form, over a period of about 10 minutes at room temperature. According to a preferred embodiment of the process the fluoro hydrocarbon, together with the stabilizer and the solubility aid and the surfactant or surfactants, will be stirred slowly together until a gel or a homogeneous watery phase results. This watery phase is mixed in particular proportions with the extinguishing water to form an emulsion. The gel or the wa-tery phase are mixed with the extinguishing water in a ratio from about 1:99 to ~0:80 to form the emulsion. The use of addit-ional propellants such as air or C~2 which are requiredwith the known foam extinguishing agents is completely unnecessary with the liquid foam extinguishing agent.
Claims (12)
1. A liquid foam fire extinguishing agent comprising a halogenated hydrocarbon in an amount ranging from 20 to 90 parts by weight, a surfactant in an amount effective as a foaming agent, and a block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide in an amount effective as a stabilizer.
2. A liquid foam fire extinguishing agent according to claim 1 in which said surfactant is a fluorosurfactant.
3. A liquid foam fire extinguishing agent according to claim 2 in which said fluorosurfactant is a member selected from the group consisting of an amphoteric fluoro-alkyl amino carboxylic acid and an anionic fluoroalkyl sodium sulfonate.
4. A liquid foam fire extinguishing agent according to claim 2 in which said fluorosurfactant is an anionic perfluoroalkyl compound.
5. A liquid foam fire extinguishing agent according to claim 2 in which said fluorosurfactant is synthesized from a perfluoralkane surfonate.
6. A liquid foam fire extinguishing agent according to claim 1 further comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of a corrosion inhibitor, a buffer and an antifreezing agent.
7. A liquid foam fire extinguishing agent according to claim 1 in which said halogenated hydrocarbon is a flu-orohydrocarbon and said surfactant is a fluorosurfactant.
8. A liquid foam fire extinguishing agent according to claim 7 further comprising butyl diglycol in an amount effective in enhancing the solubilization of said fluoro-hydrocarbon in said fluorosurfactant.
9. A liquid foam fire extinguishing agent according to claim 1 in which said halogenated hydrocarbon is a mixture of a dichlorotetrafluoroethane having a boiling point of 3.6°C and a trichlorotrifluoroethane having a boiling point of 47.6°C.
10. A process for the manufacture of a liquid foam fire extinguishing agent according to claim 1 comprising slowly stirring said halogenated hydrocarbon with said surfactant to produce a product consisting of a gel or a homogeneous watery phase.
11. A process according to claim 10 further comprising mixing said product with water in a ratio ranging from 1:99 to 20:80 to form an emulsion.
12. A process according to claim 10 further comprising stirring said block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide in with said halogenated hydrocarbon and said surfactant.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP3409602.7-45 | 1984-03-15 | ||
| DE9602745 | 1984-03-15 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1252959A true CA1252959A (en) | 1989-04-25 |
Family
ID=6918441
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000476562A Expired CA1252959A (en) | 1984-03-15 | 1985-03-14 | Liquid foam extinguishing agent |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1252959A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN115944878A (en) * | 2022-12-23 | 2023-04-11 | 上海纳米技术及应用国家工程研究中心有限公司 | Service life estimation device for vehicle-mounted water film-forming fire extinguishing agent |
-
1985
- 1985-03-14 CA CA000476562A patent/CA1252959A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN115944878A (en) * | 2022-12-23 | 2023-04-11 | 上海纳米技术及应用国家工程研究中心有限公司 | Service life estimation device for vehicle-mounted water film-forming fire extinguishing agent |
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