Szerkesztő:Gpont/Foamfatal angol

Self Expanding Foam system is a patent protected innovative waterless Active fire protection technology, mainly aimed at suppress fire of large storage tanks in the petrochemical and petroleum industry with firefighting foam.^[1] Although it is also appropriate to other fire and explosion hazards.

Origin of the Trade Mark

The technology is originally based on a Hungarian invention, inventor is Istvan Szocs, who worked 15 years long on his invention. In 2014. Istvan Szocs sold his IP and rights. The design, manufacturing and installation is solely authorized by the technology and IP owner, Regional Energy & Environment, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. FoamFatale, which is registered as a Trade Mark, is a play on words (a pun), derived from ”Femme Fatale”, the ”Lady of Destiny”. This is intended to express the main feature of the fire protection system: it is heartless and kills a fire in no time! – in other words it has no mercy for the fire. ^[forrás?]

Technology

The main elements of a Self Expanding Foam system: the foam supply and the foam introduction

The technical basis^[2] is very simple: it consists of a pressure vessel in which premixed foam solution (foam concentrate mixed with water) is stored under pressure of Carbon dioxide (chemical formula CO₂), a valve to keep the foam inside the vessel, and pipework that leads to and distributes the foam into the storage tank when a fire occurs.

Conventional methods for fighting fires in large fuel storage tanks tend to require high water demands and massive efforts to move heavy equipment and extinguishing agents, thus demanding high levels of skilled manpower and the intention of Self Expanding Foam system is to overcome these issues. It is designed to be self contained and, unlike some conventional technologies, SEFS is designed to be simple to operate, reliable and effective.

In addition to minimizing fuel loss and reducing exposure of firefighters to dangerous conditions, the system can extinguish a fire so quickly (typically within 2 minutes) that the smoke pollution normally associated with long duration hydrocarbon fuel fires is avoided.

Foam Supply

The Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) type firefighting foam^[3] solution is not produced at the time and place of fire, as in former foam systems. Instead it is prepared well in advance, at the time of the initial installation of the foam system and long before an emergency occur.

The foam is stored in a pressure vessel, ready for fire extinguishment, until it is needed. The volume of foam solution stored is based on live testing and related to the fire surface area and to the type of fuel in the storage tank. Water-soluble (polar type) fuels such as alcohols require a special type of foam material.

Foam Introduction

When a fire occurs the foam solution is discharged from the vessel and directed without delay to the fire area. The foam distribution and introduction pipework is hydraulic calculation based on theoretical analysis validated through test work.

Components of the Pipework

Foam Header

The Foam Header connects the Foam Supply system to the foam distribution and application system mounted on the storage tank.

Foam Riser

The Foam Riser is used to transport the foam solution which is now actually bubbles of the special foam formed by the release of CO2 which was in solution from ground level to the top of the Storage Tank edge.

Remote Operated Valve

The Remote Operated Valve for the Foam Pressure Vessel. It is actuated by the Fire Detection System via a constantly monitored Control Panel to release foam solution when the fire occurs.

The Continuous Linear Nozzle (CLN)

This component is a ring formed of hydraulically sized pipework mounted on the inside wall of the storage tank around the entire tank circumference. A slot in the tubing circumference, directs the foam to the inner wall, allowing the foam to fall gently, like a curtain of foam, to the fuel surface, whatever quantity of fuel is in the tank. When the expanding foam reaches the liquid level while flowing down the inside surface of the tank shell, it forms a blanket and the evolved hydrostatic pressure and momentum force the foam away from the tank shell towards the center of the fire surface.

Operating principle of the Self Expanding Foam type fire fighting systems

Triggering the foam actuation

Normally the system is linked to automatic fire detectors which, when entering an alarm situation, cause the control panel to signal the appropriate Remote Operated Valve to open. The system can also be manually actuated if required.

Releasing the foam

The foam solution that was stored in the pressure vessel begins to flow, via the foam distribution pipework, to the Storage Tank. The outlet opens to atmospheric pressure, and so the foam expands due to the generation of CO2 gas out of the foam solution.

The curtain-like foam blanket traveling down the tank wall introduction results in extremely effective cooling of the tank shell. At the same time the foam layer insulates the shell from the thermal effect of the fire on the steel tank shell, so maintaining tank integrity.

When the foam reaches the liquid level, it moves horizontally and begins to cover the fire surface. The speed at which it travels across the fuel surface is closely related to the foam flow rate per meter of the perimeter of the Storage Tank shell.

Closing the foam blanket

Initially the shape of the moving horizontal foam blanket looks like a ring, continuously covering and reducing the diameter of the remaining circular burning surface. As the foam blanket closes, the fire is completely extinguished.^[4] Additional foam is applied even after the fire is extinguished in order to build up a better vapour suppressing foam blanket and prevent re-ignition of the fuel.

After successful extinguishment

Once a safe situation is achieved and there is no longer a risk of re-ignition, the foam can be allowed to drain out by itself or, if required, broken up by water spray, then drained through the normal tank water take off system and sent to the standard waste water treatment plant as the foam material is biologically degradable.

Advantages of the Self Expanding Foam systems

Theoretical

The two main theoretical advantage of the Self Expanding Foam systems over the conventional ones are the practically immediate reaction and the overpowered extinguishing force. The fire fighting parameters that are recommended by the traditional standards may not work^[5] in the case of tanks larger than 40 meters diameter as the fire destroys the foam before it is able to close on the fire surface. The SEFS faces no limitations in performance, therefore it is suitable for fire extinguishment in all storage tank sizes. The major criterion for designing the SEFS is the 2 minutes maximum extinguishing time. The major advantage is the unlimited foam spread coverage and speed of fire control.

Practical

This technology has several special advantages compared to the traditional methods.

does not require fire water mains at all
there is no limitation in performance, the flow rate may be adjusted to the task and the 2 minutes extinguishing time is achievable whatever the tank size
there are no tank size limitations, thus fire in any and all storage tanks may be extinguished immediately
the construction of the SEF systems is very simple. There is high reliability with minimal maintenance
the simplicity brings two advantages: low price and very high level of reliability
the SEFS is self-contained. Its operation is independent of any external source such as water, energy, human resources, access roads etc
operation is assured under extreme climatic conditions, in arid and freezing situations
SEFS is environmentally friendly. It has no ozone depletion effect
the applied foam is not harmful to life. It is made of natural, basic ingredients
when used in mobile equipment such as Fire Trucks, the SEF systems are highly reliable, e.g. Airport Crash Tenders
due to the low density of the foam it is extremely suitable to use in high-rise buildings fire suppression systems

Tests

The features of the SEFS technology were tested and demonstrated by FoamFatale on a 500 m² fire surface of a test tank built in Hungary. After 25 sec. of pre-burning the extinguishment time was merely 40 sec. As further tests proved, in the reality, in case of immediate releasing of the foam - as the industrial installations are designed - the fire has no chance to spread on the full surface entirely, due to the high application rate and the very quick knockdown. The moving foam front hindrances the fire reaching the shell of the storage tank.

Patents and certificates

Beside the Know-how there are 32 valid patents in 28 countries. Highest ranked global experts of the industry form the international R&D Group that works on obtaining the Certificates of National Fire Protection Association, LASTFIRE, FM Global, VdS and other relevant independent certifying bodies.

On the market

The major clients of the technology decided to install FoamFatale systems because of its unique technical features. The main considerations are that it is waterless, the reaction is immediate and the applied power is free to design, so ensuring the successful extinguishment. On the continuously growing reference list we can found such global companies like Saudi Arabian Chevron, Oiltanking, Wintershall, OMV.

Other application areas of Self Expanding Foam Technology

Portable extinguishers

The unique advantage of the SEFS Portable Extinguisher (6–50 kg) is - unlike the other types - the far more effective distance from the fire allowing much greater operator safety. The energy of the extinguisher pressure is not wasted to produce the foam but is used completely to shoot the foam trough the empty hose.

Mobile extinguishers

The Foam Pressure Vessel can be mounted on a trailer, towing it to the fire scenario so that immediate extinguishment can be activated.

Fast Response Firefighting Vehicles

The Fire Tucks equipped with SEFS are especially developed for the immediate intervention. Ideal solution to build Airport crash tender.

High-rise buildings fire fighting

The problems of fire safety in high-rise buildings are well known – ensuring adequate water pressure, the limited power of the firefighting pumps, finding practical hose layout routes, or, in the case of roof mounted water storage, the stability and construction challenges. These are all eliminated by the SEF Technology. The Foam Pressure Vessel located in the basement provides the foam in sufficient quantity and the low density of the foam makes it possible to push it to the desired heights (600-1,000 m!) with the pressure typically used in standard SEF systems.

Further improvements

The everyday experience, the new challenges, the demands of the Clients, and the continuous scientific research and development result in improvement of the FoamFatale system.

References

↑ (2009. szeptember 1.) „New Concept in Tank Fire Fighting”. Hydrocarbon Engineering, 107–112. o.
↑ (2007. november 4.) „New Concept in Tank Fire Fighting”. Fire & Safety Magazine, 74–77. o.
↑ (2014. november 4.) „The Phase-out of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and the Global Future of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), Innovations in Fire Fighting Foam.”. Chemical Engineering and Science 2 (1), 11-14. o.
↑ (2000. június 1.) „Special Report about IFEX tank extinguishing trial”. Industrial Fire Journal, 39. o.
↑ „Fighting fire against the odds”. Tank Storage Magazine (September/October 2014), 78–81. o.

External links

Category:Active fire protection Category:Disaster management Category:Environmental technology Category:Firefighting equipment Category:Fire prevention Category:Fire suppression Category:Foams Category:Hungarian inventions Category:Safety equipment

[1] (2009. szeptember 1.) „New Concept in Tank Fire Fighting”. Hydrocarbon Engineering, 107–112. o.

[2] (2007. november 4.) „New Concept in Tank Fire Fighting”. Fire & Safety Magazine, 74–77. o.

[3] (2014. november 4.) „The Phase-out of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and the Global Future of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), Innovations in Fire Fighting Foam.”. Chemical Engineering and Science 2 (1), 11-14. o.

[4] (2000. június 1.) „Special Report about IFEX tank extinguishing trial”. Industrial Fire Journal, 39. o.

[5] „Fighting fire against the odds”. Tank Storage Magazine (September/October 2014), 78–81. o.

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