Man-rated fire suppression system
A fire suppression system for producing an inert gas mixture having a minimal amount of carbon monoxide, particulates, or smoke. The inert gas mixture may be generated by combusting a gas generant. The gas generant may be a composition that includes hexa(ammine)-cobalt(III)-nitrate. The fire suppression system also includes a heat management system to reduce a temperature of the inert gas mixture. A method of extinguishing fires is also disclosed.
1 . A fire suppression system, comprising:
a gas generant formulated to pyrotechnically produce an inert gas mixture suitable for extinguishing a fire; and
a heat management system.
2 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , further comprising an igniter composition in contact with the gas generant.
3 . The fire suppression system of claim 2 , wherein the igniter composition is formulated to produce an amount of heat sufficient to ignite the gas generant.
4 . The fire suppression system of claim 2 , wherein the igniter composition is formulated to produce at least one gaseous combustion product and at least one solid combustion product when combusted.
5 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the gas generant is formulated to produce minimal amounts of carbon monoxide, particulates, or smoke when combusted.
6 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the gas generant is formulated to produce less than an Immediately Harmful to Life or Health value of ammonia, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen oxides.
7 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the gas generant is formulated to produce less than 1 percent of an original weight of the gas generant in particulates or smoke.
8 . The fire suppression system of claim 7 , wherein substantially all of the at least one gaseous combustion product forms the inert gas mixture.
9 . The fire suppression system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one solid combustion product is formulated to minimize production of particulates during combustion of the gas generant.
10 . The fire suppression system of claim 4 , wherein the at least one solid combustion product is a slag.
11 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the inert gas mixture comprises nitrogen and water.
12 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the gas generant comprises an oxidizer, a fuel, and a binder.
13 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the gas generant is formed into a geometry that provides a neutral burn when combusted.
14 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the gas generant further comprises at least one of an oxidizing agent, an ignition enhancer, a ballistic modifier, a slag enhancing agent, a cooling agent, or a binder.
15 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the gas generant comprises hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cuprous oxide, and titanium dioxide.
16 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the gas generant comprises hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cupric oxide, titanium dioxide, and polyacrylamide.
17 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the heat management system is configured to reduce the temperature of the inert gas mixture.
18 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the heat management system comprises a heat sink.
19 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the heat management system comprises a phase change material.
20 . The fire suppression system of claim 19 , wherein the phase change material comprises lithium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, or mixtures thereof.
21 . The fire suppression system of claim 19 , wherein the fire suppression system is configured to transfer heat from the inert gas mixture to the phase change material.
22 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the fire suppression system is configured to disperse the inert gas mixture therefrom within from approximately 20 seconds to approximately 60 seconds after ignition of the gas generant.
23 . The fire suppression system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one diffuser plate to disperse the inert gas mixture.
24 . The fire suppression system of claim 23 , wherein the at least one diffuser plate is configured and positioned to diffuse the inert gas mixture into the heat management system.
25 . The fire suppression system of claim 23 , wherein the at least one diffuser plate is configured and positioned to disperse the inert gas mixture exiting from the fire suppression system.
26 . A fire suppression system, comprising:
a combustion chamber containing at least one pellet comprising a gas generant, the gas generant pyrotechnically producing an inert gas mixture suitable for extinguishing a fire; and
an effluent train comprising a heat management system.
27 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the combustion chamber comprises an igniter composition in contact with the gas generant.
28 . The fire suppression system of claim 27 , wherein the igniter composition is formulated and of sufficient mass to produce an amount of heat sufficient to ignite the gas generant.
29 . The fire suppression system of claim 27 , wherein the igniter composition comprises from approximately 15% to approximately 30% boron and from approximately 70% to approximately 85% potassium nitrate.
30 . The fire suppression system of claim 27 , wherein the igniter composition comprises strontium nitrate, magnesium, and an organic binder.
31 . The fire suppression system of claim 27 , wherein the igniter composition is formulated to produce solid combustion products when combusted.
32 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the at least one pellet is formed into a shape that provides a neutral burn.
33 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the at least one pellet further comprises an igniter composition.
34 . The fire suppression system of claim 33 , wherein the igniter composition and the gas generant are compressed together in the at least one pellet.
35 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the at least one pellet has a total mass sufficient to produce an amount of the inert gas mixture sufficient to extinguish the fire.
36 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the gas generant is formulated to produce minimal amounts of carbon monoxide, particulates, or smoke when combusted.
37 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the gas generant is formulated to produce less than an Immediately Harmful to Life or Health concentration of ammonia, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen oxides and less than 1 percent of an original weight of the gas generant in particulates or smoke.
38 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the gas generant is formulated to produce at least one gaseous combustion product and at least one solid combustion product when combusted.
39 . The fire suppression system of claim 38 , wherein substantially all of the at least one gaseous combustion products form the inert gas mixture.
40 . The fire suppression system of claim 38 , wherein the at least one solid combustion product is formulated to minimize production of particulates during combustion of the gas generant.
41 . The fire suppression system of claim 38 , wherein the at least one solid combustion product produced by combustion of the gas generant is a slag.
42 . The fire suppression system of claim 41 , wherein the slag is present on a surface of the at least one pellet.
43 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the inert gas mixture comprises nitrogen and water.
44 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the gas generant comprises an oxidizer, a fuel, and a binder.
45 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the gas generant further comprises at least one of an oxidizing agent, an ignition enhancer, a ballistic modifier, a slag enhancing agent, a cooling agent, or a binder.
46 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the gas generant comprises hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cuprous oxide, and titanium dioxide.
47 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the gas generant comprises hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cupric oxide, titanium dioxide, and polyacrylamide.
48 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the heat management system is configured to reduce the temperature of the inert gas mixture.
49 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the heat management system comprises a heat sink.
50 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the heat management system comprises a phase change material.
51 . The fire suppression system of claim 50 , wherein the phase change material comprises lithium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, or mixtures thereof.
52 . The fire suppression system of claim 50 , wherein heat from the inert gas mixture is transferred to the phase change material.
53 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , wherein the fire suppression system is configured to disperse the inert gas mixture therefrom within from approximately 20 seconds to approximately 60 seconds after ignition of the gas generant.
54 . The fire suppression system of claim 26 , further comprising at least one diffuser plate to disperse the inert gas mixture.
55 . The fire suppression system of claim 54 , wherein the at least one diffuser plate is configured and positioned to diffuse the inert gas mixture into the heat management system.
56 . The fire suppression system of claim 54 , wherein the at least one diffuser plate is configured and positioned to disperse the inert gas mixture exiting from the fire suppression system.
57 . A method for fighting a fire in a space, comprising:
igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture that comprises minimal amounts of carbon monoxide, particulates, or smoke when combusted; and
introducing the inert gas mixture into a space.
58 . The method of claim 57 , wherein igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture comprises pyrotechnically igniting the gas generant to produce the inert gas mixture.
59 . The method of claim 57 , wherein igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture comprising minimal amounts of carbon monoxide, particulates, or smoke comprises igniting the gas generant to produce nitrogen and water.
60 . The method of claim 57 , wherein igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture comprises igniting a nonazide gas generant composition that produces gaseous combustion products and solid combustion products.
61 . The method of claim 60 , wherein igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture comprises forming the inert gas mixture with substantially all of the gaseous combustion products produced by the gas generant.
62 . The method of claim 57 , wherein igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture comprises generating gaseous combustion products within from approximately 20 seconds to approximately 60 seconds after ignition of the gas generant.
63 . The method of claim 57 , wherein igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture comprises producing gaseous combustion products that are substantially free of carbon-containing gases or nitrogen oxides.
64 . The method of claim 57 , wherein igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture comprises producing a neutral burn of the gas generant.
65 . The method of claim 57 , wherein igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture comprises igniting an igniter composition to produce sufficient heat to ignite the gas generant.
66 . The method of claim 65 , wherein igniting the igniter composition comprises igniting an igniter composition comprising from approximately 15% to approximately 30% boron and from approximately 70% to approximately 85 % potassium nitrate.
67 . The method of claim 65 , wherein igniting an igniter composition comprises igniting the igniter composition comprising strontium nitrate, magnesium, and an organic binder.
68 . The method of claim 57 , wherein igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture comprises producing a minimal amount of the particulates or the smoke.
69 . The method of claim 57 , wherein igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture comprises producing solid combustion products that minimize the particulates and the smoke formed by the gas generant.
70 . The method of claim 57 , wherein igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture comprises igniting the gas generant that comprises hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cuprous oxide, and titanium dioxide.
71 . The method of claim 57 , wherein igniting a gas generant to produce an inert gas mixture comprises igniting the gas generant that comprises hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cupric oxide, titanium dioxide, and polyacrylamide.
72 . The method of claim 57 , wherein introducing the inert gas mixture into a space comprises dispersing the inert gas mixture into the space within from approximately 20 seconds to approximately 60 seconds after ignition of the gas generant.
73 . The method of claim 57 , further comprising reducing a temperature of the inert gas mixture after combustion of the gas generant.
74 . The method of claim 73 , wherein reducing a temperature of the inert gas mixture after combustion of the gas generant comprises exposing the inert gas mixture to a heat management system.
75 . The method of claim 74 , wherein exposing the inert gas mixture to a heat management system comprises flowing the inert gas mixture into a heat sink.
76 . The method of claim 74 , wherein exposing the inert gas mixture to a heat management system comprises flowing the inert gas mixture over a phase change material.
77 . The method of claim 57 , further comprising extinguishing the fire by reducing an oxygen content in the space.
78 . The method of claim 77 , wherein extinguishing the fire by reducing an oxygen content in the space comprises reducing the oxygen content to approximately 13% by volume.
79 . The fire suppression system of claim 15 , wherein the hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate is recrystallized.
80 . The fire suppression system of claim 15 , wherein the hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate comprises less than approximately 0.1% of activated charcoal or carbon.
81 . The fire suppression system of claim 16 , wherein the hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate is recrystallized.
82 . The fire suppression system of claim 16 , wherein the hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate comprises less than approximately 0.1% of activated charcoal or carbon.
83 . The fire suppression system of claim 46 , wherein the hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate is recrystallized.
84 . The fire suppression system of claim 46 , wherein the hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate comprises less than approximately 0.1% of activated charcoal or carbon.
85 . The fire suppression system of claim 47 , wherein the hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate is recrystallized.
86 . The fire suppression system of claim 47 , wherein the hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate comprises less than approximately 0.1% of activated charcoal or carbon.
87 . The method of claim 70 , wherein igniting the gas generant that comprises hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cuprous oxide, and titanium dioxide comprises igniting the gas generant that comprises recrystallized hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cuprous oxide, and titanium dioxide.
88 . The method of claim 70 , wherein igniting the gas generant that comprises hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cuprous oxide, and titanium dioxide comprises igniting the gas generant that comprises hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate having less than approximately 0.1% of activated charcoal or carbon, cuprous oxide, and titanium dioxide.
89 . The method of claim 71 , wherein igniting the gas generant that comprises hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cupric oxide, titanium dioxide, and polyacrylamide comprises igniting the gas generant that comprises recrystallized hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cupric oxide, titanium dioxide, and polyacrylamide.
90 . The method of claim 71 , wherein igniting the gas generant that comprises hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cupric oxide, titanium dioxide, and polyacrylamide comprises igniting the gas generant that comprises hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate having less than approximately 0.1% of activated charcoal or carbon, cupric oxide, titanium dioxide, and polyacrylamide.
91 . A gas generant comprising hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, cupric oxide, titanium dioxide, and polyacrylamide.
92 . The gas generant of claim 91 , wherein the hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate is recrystallized.
93 . The gas generant of claim 91 , wherein the hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate comprises less than approximately 0.1% of activated charcoal or carbon.