Novel Nitrogen Enriched Air for Fire Suppression

用于灭火的新型富氮空气

• 批准号: 7537691
• 负责人: DONALD STOOKEY
• 金额: $ 71.46万
• 依托单位: COMPACT MEMBRANE SYSTEMS, INC.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-09-01 至 2010-09-29
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/7537691
• 关键词: Novel; Nitrogen; Enriched; Air; Fire

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this Compact Membrane Systems (CMS) program is to develop a new platform technology for fire suppression and fire prevention systems around membrane supplied nitrogen enriched air (NEA). The limitation that the atmospheres used in the fire suppression be breathable to occupants in the proximity of a fire is easily accomplished by CMS technology. A breathable atmosphere, between 10% and 16% oxygen, is maintained so occupants can safely remove themselves or be rescued; even while starving the fire of oxygen, breathable levels are maintained. CMS proposes the combination with another safe, effective, environmentally friendly means of fire suppression in the form of water mist. The synergistic combination of these fire suppression technologies can address virtually all the shortcomings of current fire suppression technologies. CMS membranes are uniquely suited to production of breathable atmospheres, and have 10 to 100 times greater flux than the membranes employed in creating oxygen deficient atmospheres typically employed in inerting, leading to proportionally smaller, more compact and even portable devices. They can be operated at lower pressures than required to optimize the performance of the membranes. CMS membranes have only modest selectivity for oxygen over nitrogen permeation in comparison to nitrogen generating membranes. This prevents the membrane from producing atmospheres containing less than 10% oxygen where deleterious physiological effects are expected. An inherent safe auto-regulation feature for the CMS system is not dependent upon the need for complex, reliable analytical and control schemes. The CMS approach seeks environmentally friendly systems. Water sprinkler and deluge systems are the most widely used fire suppression systems, but their use can incur irreparable damage or substantial repair expenses associated with flooding and water damage. Halon systems used to protect electrical equipment, aircraft, ships, and restaurants are being replaced due to their adverse environmental impact. Nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and inert gases are effective in controlling flammable mixtures and in suppressing fires but their asphyxiant nature limits use to uninhabited areas. CMS proposes a breathable NEA atmosphere having a composition within the Unimpaired Physiological Performance Zone employed for fire suppression with minimal concerns for occupant asphyxiation. Phase I met all key objectives including: 1) production of target NEA levels, 2) demonstrated CMS membrane operation well in excess of water mist nozzle operating pressure requirements, 3) easy integration and demonstration of the NEA/water mist system, and 4) demonstrated fire extinction while operating in breathable environment. The Phase II program will: 1) quantify the effectiveness of the NEA+mist combination, 2) optimize system, 3) design and construct a mockup of a fire suppressant delivery system, 4) demonstrate the apparatus under certification protocols suited to the target niche, and 5) position the technology and equipment for commercialization. Additional resources that are available now which were not available earlier include a) commercialization in parallel markets which will sell minimums of 2000-5000 systems in 2008/2009 further enhancing our market ability in 2010 and beyond, and b) strong targeted interest by a large market oriented membrane company. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE A breathable NEA atmosphere having a composition within the Unimpaired Physiological Performance Zone can be employed for fire suppression with no or minimal concerns for occupant asphyxiation. This fire suppression technique can be readily employed in hospital and nursing home rooms. As the technology is developed, it could be used to virtually replace any water deluge system or Halon system.

描述（由申请人提供）：该紧凑型膜系统（CMS）计划的目标是开发一种新的平台技术，用于围绕膜供应的富氮空气（NEA）的灭火和防火系统。CMS技术可以很容易地实现灭火中使用的大气对于火灾附近的居住者来说是可呼吸的限制。维持一个可呼吸的空气，在10%和16%之间的氧气，使居住者可以安全地离开自己或获救;即使在饥饿的氧气，可呼吸的水平保持。CMS提出与另一种安全、有效、环保的细水雾灭火手段相结合。这些灭火技术的协同组合几乎可以解决当前灭火技术的所有缺点。CMS膜独特地适合于产生可呼吸的气氛，并且具有比用于产生通常用于惰性化的缺氧气氛的膜大10至100倍的通量，导致成比例地更小、更紧凑并且甚至便携的装置。它们可以在比优化膜性能所需的压力更低的压力下操作。与氮气产生膜相比，CMS膜对氧气渗透的选择性相对于氮气渗透仅为中等。这防止了膜产生含有少于10%氧气的气氛，其中预期有害的生理效应。CMS系统的固有安全自动调节特征不依赖于对复杂、可靠的分析和控制方案的需求。CMS方法寻求环境友好型系统。水喷淋和雨淋系统是最广泛使用的灭火系统，但它们的使用可能会导致与洪水和水损害相关的不可挽回的损害或大量的维修费用。用于保护电气设备、飞机、船舶和餐馆的哈龙系统由于其对环境的不利影响而正在被取代。氮气、二氧化碳和惰性气体在控制可燃混合物和灭火方面是有效的，但它们的窒息性限制了它们在无人居住地区的使用。CMS提出了一种可呼吸的NEA大气，其组成在未受损生理性能区内，用于灭火，对乘员窒息的关注最小。阶段I满足所有关键目标，包括：1）目标NEA水平的生产，2）证明CMS膜操作良好地超过水雾喷嘴操作压力要求，3）容易集成和证明NEA/水雾系统，以及4）证明在可呼吸环境中操作时灭火。第二阶段计划将：1）量化NEA+雾组合的有效性，2）优化系统，3）设计和构建灭火剂输送系统的实体模型，4）根据适合于目标利基的认证协议演示设备，以及5）定位技术和设备以用于商业化。目前可获得的其他资源包括：a）平行市场的商业化，2008/2009年将销售至少2000-5000套系统，进一步增强我们在2010年及以后的市场能力，以及B）大型市场导向膜公司的强烈目标兴趣。公共卫生相关性具有在未受损生理性能区内的组成的可呼吸NEA气氛可用于灭火，而不担心或最小限度地担心乘员窒息。这种灭火技术可以很容易地在医院和疗养院的房间。随着这项技术的发展，它可以用来取代任何雨淋系统或哈龙系统。