Fire protection apparatus, systems and methods for addressing a fire with a mist

Abstract

Fire protection apparatus, systems, and methods for addressing a fire with a mist are provided. More particularly, the invention provides systems and their method of design which provide a water mist to address and preferably suppress a fire. The invention further provides systems and methods for total flooding volume protection of a space to address a fire, preferably control, suppress, and more preferably extinguish a fire. The invention further provides atomizing devices for use in such systems and methods.

1 . A method of mist fire protection for fixed equipment within a substantially enclosed space having a ceiling, a plurality of walls so as to define a plurality of corners and an enclosure volume of at least 130 cu. m. (4590 cu. ft.), the method comprising:
 disposing at least one mist generating device in the substantially enclosed space, the disposing at least one mist generating device consisting of one of:
 (i) mounting at least two mist generating devices in the enclosed space, wherein the at least 130 cu. m. (4590 cu. ft.) (4590 cu. ft.) is at least 260 cu. m. (9180 cu. ft.), the at least two mist generating devices being disposed in diagonally opposed corners so as to define a minimum spacing therebetween of about 3.4 m. (11 ft.); 
 (ii) mounting the at least one mist generating device in a pendent configuration where the enclosure height ranges between about 3.0 m. (9.8 ft.) to about 8.0 m. (26.2 ft.) with a clearance from any wall of the enclosed space ranging from 0.3 m (1 ft.) to about 3.4 m. (11 ft.), 
 (iii) mounting the at least one mist generating device in a sidewall configuration where the enclosure height ranges between about 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) to about 8.0 m. (26.2 ft.), the mounting being beneath the ceiling at a distance from the ceiling ranging from about 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) to about one half the enclosure height and with a clearance of at least 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) from any of the plurality of corners of the enclosed space; 
 (iv) mounting at least two mist generating devices in a pendent configuration where the enclosure height ranges between about 3.0 m. (9.8 ft.) to about 8.0 m. (26.2 ft.) with a clearance from any of the plurality of walls of the enclosed space ranging from 0.3 m (1 ft.) to about 3.4 m. (11 ft.) and spaced from one another by a distance ranging from about 3.4 m. (11 ft.) to about 30.4 ft; and 
 (v) mounting at least two mist generating devices in a sidewall configuration where the sidewall enclosure height ranges between about 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) to about 8.0 m. (26.2 ft.) beneath the ceiling at a distance from the ceiling ranging from about 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) to about one half the ceiling enclosure height and with a clearance of at least 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) from any of the plurality of corners of the enclosed space such that the at least two mist generating devices each define a center line of discharge having an unobstructed discharge path with a diameter of about 1.5 m. (5 ft.) from the device to an opposing wall of the plurality of walls, the device being mounted from the opposing wall at a distance ranging between about 3.8 m. (12.5 ft.) to about 12.0 m. (39.3 ft.) with the center lines of discharge of the at least two devices have a perpendicular spacing ranging between about 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) to about 4.6 m. (15 ft.); 
   piping a self-contained fluid supply source to the mist generating device, the piping including coupling an outlet of a liquid supply tank having a capacity of at least 25 gallons to the mist generating device, the piping including coupling in parallel a gas supply having a bank of at least three pressurized 11.3 cu. m. (400 cu. ft.) tanks with the liquid supply tank and the mist generating device; and   interlocking an actuator to release the gas from the cylinders to the tank and the at least one mist generating device, the interlocking including coupling the actuator with a heat release detector disposed in the enclosed space, the heat detector being responsive to a fire in the enclosed space such that upon detection of a fire, the heat detector signals the actuator to release the gas from the cylinders to pressurize the tank and delivery of the gas to the mist generating device.   
     
     
         2 . A kit to provide mist fire protection for fixed equipment within a substantially enclosed space having a ceiling, a plurality of walls so as to define a plurality of corners and an enclosure volume of at least 130 cu. m. (4590 cu. ft.), the kit comprising:
 at least one mist generating device consisting of one of:
 (i) at least two mist generating devices to be mounted in the enclosed space, wherein the at least 130 cu. m. (4590 cu. ft.) is at least 260 cu. m. (9180 cu. ft.), the at least two mist generating devices to be disposed in diagonally opposed corners so as to define a minimum spacing therebetween of about 3.4 m. (11 ft.); 
 (ii) at least one mist generating device to be mounted in a pendent configuration in the enclosed space where the enclosure height ranges between about 3.0 m. (9.8 ft.) to about 5.0 m. (16.4 ft.) with a clearance from any wall of the enclosed space ranging from 0.3 m (1 ft.) to about 3.4 m. (11 ft.); 
 (iii) at least one mist generating device to be mounted in a sidewall configuration in the enclosed space where the enclosure height ranges between about 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) to about 5.0 m. (16.4 ft.), the at least one mist generating device to be mounted being beneath the ceiling at a distance from the ceiling ranging from about 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) to about one half the enclosure height and with a clearance of at least 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) from any of the plurality of corners of the enclosed space; 
 (iv) at least two mist generating devices to be mounted in a pendent configuration in the enclosed space where the enclosure height ranges between about 3.0 m. (9.8 ft.) to about 5.0 m. (16.4 ft.) with a clearance from any of the plurality of walls of the enclosed space ranging from 0.3 m (1 ft.) to about 3.4 m. (11 ft.) and spaced from one another by a distance ranging from about 3.4 m. (11 ft.) to about 30.4 ft; and 
 (v) at least two mist generating devices to be mounted in a sidewall configuration in the enclosed space where the sidewall enclosure height ranges between about 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) to about 5.0 m. (16.4 ft.) beneath the ceiling at a distance from the ceiling ranging from about 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) to about one half the ceiling enclosure height and with a clearance of at least 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) from any of the plurality of corners of the enclosed space such that the at least two mist generating devices each define a center line of discharge having an unobstructed discharge path with a diameter of about 1.5 m. (5 ft.) from the device to an opposing wall of the plurality of walls, the device being mounted from the opposing wall at a distance ranging between about 3.8 m. (12.5 ft.) to about 12.0 m. (39.3 ft.) with the center lines of discharge of the at least two devices have a perpendicular spacing ranging between about 1.0 m. (3.3 ft.) to about 4.6 m. (15 ft.); 
   the kit further comprising a self-contained fluid supply source, the self-contained fluid supply source including a liquid supply tank having a capacity of about 25 gallons and a gas supply including a bank of at least three (3) 11.3 cu. m. (400 cu. ft.) nitrogen gas cylinders coupled to a manifold having an outlet for connection to the at least one atomizer, the manifold being connected to the liquid supply tank to pressurize the tank, the tank including an outlet for connection to the at least one mist generating device; and   an orifice for locating in-line between the outlet of the tank and the at least one atomizer to provide a substantially constant flow of the liquid from the tank to the at least one mist generating device.   
     
     
         3 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A fire protection system for addressing a fire with a mist, the system comprising:
 at least one atomizing device disposed in an enclosed space having a volume of at least 130 cu. m. (4590 cu. ft.), the at least one atomizing device including:
 a first fluid inlet and a second fluid inlet; and 
 means for atomizing a first fluid with a second fluid; and 
   a self-contained fluid supply source including a liquid supply coupled to the first fluid inlet for discharge of liquid from the atomizing device as an annulus, the fluid supply further including a gas supply coupled to the second fluid inlet at a pressure ranging from about 2.1 bar (30 psi.) to about 24.1 bar (350 psi.) for discharge from the atomizing device to mix with the liquid annulus in an optional chamber so as to form the mist to address the fire, the fluid supply further having a property that is selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) the liquid supply pressurized by the gas supply, the liquid supply being coupled to the first fluid inlet to provide the liquid to the inlet at a pressure of at least 0.5 bar (7 psi.) for liquid flow through the first fluid passage; 
 (ii) a pressurized gas supply that includes a bank of at least three (3) 11.3 cu. m. (400 cu. ft.) nitrogen gas cylinders, each cylinder being coupled to a piping manifold coupled to the second fluid outlet with a regulated discharge pressure from the manifold of at least 6.9 bar (100 psi.), and a liquid supply that includes at least one ninety-five liter (95 L.) (twenty-five gallon (25 gal.)) tank of fire fighting liquid pressurized by the gas supply discharge pressure, the tank being coupled to the first fluid inlet; and 
 (iii) the liquid and gas being provided to the device in a liquid-to-gas mass flow ratio ranging from about 1:1 to about 3:1; 
   the mist further having a property that is selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) a majority of droplets having a diameter ranging from 1 to 10 microns; 
 (ii) a total liquid supply ranging between about fifty-seven liters (57 L.) (fifteen gallons (15 gal.)) to about ninety-five liters (95 L.) (twenty-five gallons (25 gal.)) for each 130 cu. m. (4590 cu. ft.) of enclosed space;
 (iii) defines a total extinguishing volume of less than about 8 gallons (8 gal.) for each 130 cu. m. (4590 cu. ft.) of enclosed space; and 
 (iv) an extinguishment time ranging from about 780 seconds to about 80 seconds for normalized sized fires ranging between about 1 kW/cu. m. to about 8 kW/cu. m. 
 
   
     
     
         10 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of total flooding mist fire protection for an enclosed space, the method comprising:
 discharging a volume of mist from at least one atomizing device into the enclosed space,   distributing the volume of mist so as to define a density for each unit of volumetric space in the room capable of extinguishing a fire located anywhere in the room, and   providing a self-contained fluid supply source, the self contained fluid supply source including:
 a liquid supply coupled to the at least one atomizing device for discharge of liquid from the device as an annulus; and 
 a gas supply coupled to the at least one atomizing device at a pressure ranging from about 2.1 bar (30 psi.) to about 24.1 bar (350 psi.) for discharge from the device to mix with the liquid annulus so as to form the mist, the providing further being selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) the liquid supply pressurized by the gas supply, the liquid supply being coupled to the first fluid inlet to provide the liquid to the inlet at a pressure of at least 0.5 bar (7 psi.) for liquid flow through the first fluid passage: 
 (ii) a pressurized gas supply that includes a bank of at least three (3) 11.3 cu. m. (400 cu. ft.) nitrogen gas cylinders, each cylinder being coupled to a piping manifold coupled to the second fluid outlet with a regulated discharge pressure from the manifold of at least 6.9 bar (100 psi.), and a liquid supply that includes at least one ninety-five liter (95 L.) (twenty-five gallon (25 gal.)) tank of fire fighting liquid pressurized by the gas supply discharge pressure, the tank being coupled to the first fluid inlet; and 
 (iii) the liquid and gas being provided to the device in a liquid-to-gas mass flow ratio ranging from about 1:1 to about 3:1. 
 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising generating the mist by means of one of the parameters selected from the group consisting of:
 (i) a majority of droplets having a diameter ranging from 1 to 10 microns;   (ii) a total liquid supply ranging between about fifty-seven liters (57 L.) (fifteen gallons (15 gal.)) to about ninety-five liters (95 L.) (twenty-five gallons (25 gal.)) for each 130 cu. m. (4590 cu. ft.) of enclosed space;   (iii) defines a total extinguishing volume of less than about 8 gallons (8 gal.) for each 130 cu. m. (4590 cu. ft.) of enclosed space; and   (iv) an extinguishment time ranging from about 780 seconds to about 80 seconds for normalized sized fires ranging between about 1 kW/cu. m. to about 8 kW/cu. m.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one atomizer comprises:
 a first fluid passage having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet disposed about a longitudinal axis of the apparatus, the first fluid passage defining a working nozzle:   a second fluid passage having a second fluid inlet and a second fluid outlet, the second fluid passage disposed about the longitudinal axis of the apparatus and co-axial with the first fluid passage, the second fluid passage defining a transport nozzle;   a solid protrusion disposed in the second fluid passage so that the transport nozzle defines a divergent flow pattern with respect to the longitudinal axis; and   a chamber in communication with the working nozzle and transport nozzle.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising generating liquid droplets forming the liquid mist, wherein a majority of the droplets have a diameter ranging from 1 to 5 microns. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising generating turbulence in the volume so as to induce air currents capable of transporting and dispersing the liquid mist. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the gas is discharged at a supersonic speed. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the discharging includes defining a total liquid volume to extinguish a normalized fire size measured in kilowatts per cubic meter (kW/m. 3 ), the total extinguishing volume ranging respectively from about from 0.57 liters per cubic meter (0.57 liters/cu. m.) (0.0042 gallons per cubic foot (0.0042 gal./cu. ft.)) to 0.057 liters per cubic meter (0.057 liters/cu. m.) (0.00042 gallons per cubic foot (0.00042 gal./cu. ft.) for a normalized range of fire sizes ranging from about one (1 kW/m 3 ) to about eight (8 kW/m. 3 ). 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the discharging is a function of the space being protected having a volume size of about 260 cubic meter (cu. m.), wherein further the liquid mist defines an extinguishment volume of about four gallons (4 gal.) of liquid to about forty gallons (40 gal.). 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the discharging a liquid mist extinguishes a fire and defines a range of extinguishing times ranging respectively from about 780 seconds to about 80 seconds for normalized fire sizes ranging between about (1 kW/cu. m.) to about (8 kW/cu. m.). 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further defining a range of extinguishing times from about 500 seconds to about 80 seconds for normalized fire sizes ranging between about (1 kW/cu. m.) to about (8 kW/cu. m.). 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further defining a range of extinguishing times from about, 420 seconds to about 80 seconds for normalized fire sizes ranging between about (1 kW/cu. m.) to about (8 kW/cu. m.). 
     
     
         27 .- 71 . (canceled)