FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a high performance fire extinguishing agent that is resistant to - 40 °C and for use in fire extinguishers and/or explosion suppression systems.

STATE OF THE ART

The fire extinguishing agents are chemicals that are obtained by different production methods to be used in fire extinguishing compositions and systems. In the state of the art, there are many fire extinguishing agents whose content varies depending on different usage aims and ambient conditions. Class A and/or B fires constitute a problem for low temperature remote regions in different regions of the world. The military class vehicles located in these regions are particularly exposed to mentioned low temperatures for a long time and this creates a handicap in terms of fire extinguishing performance. For this reason, the fire extinguishing agent used in fire extinguishers and/or explosion suppression systems must not lose its effectiveness at low temperatures. Two main types of fire extinguishing agents are used for Class A and/or B fires in the state of the art. These are dry chemical compositions and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) compositions. Said dry chemical compositions can be used at temperatures up to -40 °C or -50 °C since they have solid form and can only be used depending on the gas that comes out as discharge. Flowever, dry chemical compositions do not provide a means to cover the fuel surface to prevent contamination. For this reason, film-forming foam compositions are preferred. The formed foam provides a sheath to cover the fuel. For this reason, film-forming foam compositions are specifically preferred for extinguishing fires that contain flammable fuels such as gasoline, naphtha, diesel oils, hydraulic fluids, and other hydrocarbons. In studies carried out with a type of these called aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), performance loss occurs, and efficiency decreases at low temperatures. Furthermore, glycol-based alcohol chemical components and salt compounds used in the state of the art have a negative effect on AFFF extinguishing performance. These chemical groups, that reduce the freezing point temperature, show adverse effects such as flashing during flaming and extinguishing.

The American patent application with publication number US2017259099 A1 is found in the patent and literature research made in the direction of the state of the art. In said application, a silicone-based, AFFF-containing, environmentally friendly fire extinguishing composition is described. The composition contains a film-forming component, gelling agent, antifreeze additive, anti-corrosion, preservative, solubilizer and a buffer solution.

In the patent document with publication number US6231778 B1 , a new fire extinguishing composition suitable for low temperature use and storage is disclosed. Said composition comprises alkylene glycol selected from the group consisting of aqueous potassium acetate solution, AFFF solution, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol and water.

Patent document US8366955 B2 relates to a fire extinguishing composition suitable for use as a fire extinguishing agent, particularly in land vehicles exposed to low ambient temperature environments. Said fire extinguishing composition contains an aqueous solution of potassium formate and aqueous film-forming foam.

As a result, many problems and disadvantages are encountered in said technical field as mentioned above; the current applications are insufficient in solving these problems and disadvantages. This situation makes it necessary to make an improvement and innovation in the state of the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a high performance fire extinguishing agent resistant up to -40°C which fulfils the abovementioned requirements, eliminates all disadvantages and brings some additional advantages.

The main aim of the invention is to provide a fire extinguishing agent with improved performance. The inventive fire extinguishing agent is produced by homogeneously combining an aqueous solution containing AFFF extinguisher and potassium. The ratios by weight of the components mentioned in the production process are also very important for the invention. Therefore, a high performance agent that does not freeze when stored at a temperature between -30 °C and -40 °C is put on the market.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a fire extinguishing agent with a reduced freezing temperature that is resistant up to -40 °C. Non-frozen foam is formed, and it is possible to obtain stable high performance even at low temperatures with the inventive fire extinguishing agent.

It is aimed to produce a fire extinguishing agent with an increased level of effectiveness in extinguishing Class A and/or B fires with the invention. The combination of Potassium acetate and AFFF in said agent protects the solubility of 3% AFFF in water as well as suppressing the freezing point of the agent. At the same time, not using ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, which are flammable, prevents ignition. Foam formation, sufficient levels of Potassium acetate and surfactant are important to reduce the freezing point and to extinguish a fire at a temperature below -1 °C. Thus, the present invention improves the extinguishing performance by reducing the freezing point unlike salt solutions used in the applications in the state of the art.

In order to fulfil all abovementioned aims and to provide solutions to the problems in the state of the art, the invention a fire extinguishing agent for use in fire extinguishers and / or explosion suppression systems; it comprises the following;

• 50% potassium acetate solution in the range of 50% - 60% by weight,

• 3% AFFF solution in the range of 10% - 20% by weight,

• Water in the range of 20% to 40% by weight.

The structural and characteristic features of the present invention will be understood clearly by the following detailed description. Therefore, the evaluation shall be made by taking this detailed description and the figures into consideration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the preferred embodiment of the invention is described only for clarifying the subject matter in a manner such that no limiting effect is created.

The present invention relates to a high performance fire extinguishing agent for use in fire extinguishers and/or explosion suppression systems. Said fire extinguishing agent comprise; 50% potassium acetate solution in the range of 50% - 60% by weight, 3% AFFF solution in the range of 10% - 20% by weight and water in the range of 20% to 40% by weight. The AFFF solution (Aqueous Film Forming Foam Concentrate) mentioned here is a commercially available concentrate. Commercially 3% AFFF concentrate is balance with the following; 1 - 3% by weight of a fluorosurfactant S-103 (a fluoroalkyl sodium sulphate such as 1 -sodium salt) propanesulfonic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-1 oxo-3- (ywperflouro-C4-16 alkyl) -thiopropyl-amino derivative); 2% - 3% by weight of K81-84 (a C8-C20 thiol with acrylamide, a nonionic fluorosurfactant such as,-y, w-perfluoro telomers); 4% to 6% by weight of Deriphat D-160C (monosodium N-lauryl 1-beta-iminodipropionate); 1% -2% by weight of X-102 (nonylphenol); 1% -2% by weight of magnesium sulphate; 5% -10% by weight of butyl carbitol and water.

The freezing temperature of the fire extinguishing agent containing said components was measured as -40 ° C in the usage ratios mentioned above. For this reason, it is possible to use the fire extinguishing agent in the temperature range of -30 °C to -40 °C. Said fire extinguishing agent is prepared as a completely homogeneous mixture. Each component mentioned in the production process is added to the water respectively, and the final product which is the fire-extinguishing agent, is obtained.

EXAMPLES

The components that are used in the production process of the inventive fire extinguishing agent, their usage rates, and the results regarding the final product (fire extinguishing agent) are given in the tables herein below. The temperature ranges of the analysed samples are also indicated in the table.

Said samples are presented for information only and to illustrate the effectiveness of the components used in the invention, without any limitation. The fire extinguishing performance of the samples within the test was examined using fire fryers with various dimensions between 12.5x12.5 cm and 50x50 cm. During the tests, the compositions that contain the fire extinguishing agent are directed to the target fire by means of nozzles that are oriented in a manner such that the fire is discharged in the geometric center of the fire and allows an equal volume of discharge to the fire area. Said compositions are stored in a pressurized steel tank with a nitrogen cartridge. Three important parameters are used in the examination of fire extinguishing performance. These are 90% control of fire, extinction time and application density. The obtained results show that the inventive fire extinguishing agent is successful with the inventive extinguishing speed and control.