Novel Nitrogen Enriched Air for Fire Suppression

用于灭火的新型富氮空气

• 批准号: 7690379
• 负责人: DONALD STOOKEY
• 金额: $ 3.54万
• 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 2011-09-29
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/7690379
• 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)进行灭火和防火系统。通过CMS技术，可以很容易地实现火灾扑救中使用的大气对火灾附近的居住者是可呼吸的限制。氧气含量在10%到16%之间的可呼吸大气得以保持，因此乘客可以安全地撤离或获救；即使在氧气匮乏的情况下，也能保持可呼吸的水平。CMS建议与另一种安全、有效、环保的细水雾灭火方法相结合。这些灭火技术的协同结合几乎可以解决目前灭火技术的所有缺点。CMS膜特别适合于生产可呼吸的大气，其通量是通常用于惰化的用于制造缺氧大气的膜的10到100倍，从而导致相应的更小、更紧凑甚至是便携的设备。它们可以在低于优化膜性能所需的压力下运行。与产氮膜相比，CMS膜对氧气的选择性仅略高于氮气渗透。这防止了膜产生氧气含量低于10%的大气，因为预计会产生有害的生理效应。CMS系统固有的安全自动调节功能不依赖于复杂、可靠的分析和控制方案。CMS方法寻求环境友好型系统。喷水灭火系统和喷水灭火系统是应用最广泛的灭火系统，但它们的使用可能会造成无法弥补的损坏或与洪水和水损坏相关的巨额维修费用。用于保护电气设备、飞机、船舶和餐馆的哈龙系统因其对环境的不利影响而被取代。氮气、二氧化碳和惰性气体在控制易燃混合物和扑灭火灾方面是有效的，但它们的窒息性质限制了对无人居住地区的使用。CMS提出了一种可呼吸的NEA氛围，其组合物位于未受损的生理性能区域内，用于灭火，最大限度地减少了对乘员窒息的担忧。第一阶段满足了所有关键目标，包括：1)生产目标NEA水平，2)证明CMS膜操作良好，超过细水雾喷嘴操作压力要求，3)易于集成和演示NEA/细水雾系统，以及4)在可呼吸环境中操作时演示灭火。第二阶段计划将：1)量化NEA+MIST组合的有效性，2)优化系统，3)设计和建造灭火剂输送系统的模型，4)根据适合目标市场的认证协议演示该设备，5)定位用于商业化的技术和设备。现在可用的其他资源是以前没有的，包括a)在平行市场的商业化，将在2008/2009年销售最少2000-5000个系统，进一步增强我们在2010年及以后的市场能力，以及b)一家以市场为导向的大型膜公司的强烈目标兴趣。公共卫生相关性一种可呼吸的NEA气氛，其成分在未受损的生理功能区域内，可用于灭火，而不会或最小程度地担心乘员窒息。这种灭火技术可以很容易地应用于医院和疗养院的房间。随着这项技术的发展，它可以用来几乎取代任何水漫溢系统或哈龙系统。