Novel Nitrogen Enriched Air for Fire Suppression

描述（由申请人提供）：这个紧凑型膜系统（CMS）项目的目标是为膜供应富氮空气（NEA）周围的灭火和防火系统开发一种新的平台技术。在灭火中使用的空气对靠近火灾的居住者透气的限制很容易通过CMS技术实现。保持氧气含量在10%到16%之间的可呼吸环境，以便居住者可以安全地离开或获救；即使在缺乏氧气的情况下，也能保持可呼吸的水平。CMS建议与另一种安全、有效、环保的灭火手段相结合，即水雾灭火。这些灭火技术的协同组合可以解决当前灭火技术的几乎所有缺点。CMS膜特别适合于生产可呼吸的大气，其通量比用于制造通常用于惰性的缺氧大气的膜大10到100倍，从而导致比例更小，更紧凑，甚至便携式设备。它们可以在较低的压力下操作，以优化膜的性能。与产氮膜相比，CMS膜对氧的选择性较低。这可以防止膜产生含氧量低于10%的大气，在这种情况下有害的生理效应是预期的。CMS系统固有的安全自动调节特性不依赖于复杂、可靠的分析和控制方案的需要。CMS方法寻求环境友好型系统。喷水灭火系统和雨淋灭火系统是使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害或与洪水和水损害相关的大量维修费用。用于保护电气设备、飞机、船舶和餐馆的哈龙系统由于其不利的环境影响正在被取代。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在无人居住地区的使用。CMS提出了一种可呼吸的NEA氛围，其成分在未受损的生理性能区内，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)演示CMS膜在超过水雾喷嘴操作压力要求的情况下运行良好，3)NEA/水雾系统的轻松集成和演示，以及4)演示在透气环境下运行时的灭火能力。第二阶段项目将：1)量化NEA+雾剂组合的有效性，2)优化系统，3)设计并构建一个灭火剂输送系统的模型，4)根据适合目标利基的认证协议演示设备，5)定位技术和设备的商业化。现在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；b)大型市场导向膜公司的强烈目标兴趣。与公共卫生相关的一种可呼吸的NEA空气，在未受损的生理性能区内，可以用于灭火，而不担心或只担心乘员窒息。这种灭火技术可以很容易地应用于医院和养老院的房间。随着这项技术的发展，它可以用来取代任何洪水系统或卤代烃系统。

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.