FIRE SUPPRESSION AGENT WITH VERMICULITE

• US 20190308043A1
• Filed: 04/10/2018
• Published: 10/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kidde Graviner Limited (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kidde Graviner Limited (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Chattaway, Adam, Dunster, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US15/949,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20190308043A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/00 Portable extinguishers which are permanently pressurised or pressurised immediately before use A62C11/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/003 Extinguishers with spraying and projection of extinguishing agents by pressurised gas
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 13/006 for the propulsion of extinguishing powder
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/07 in vehicles, e.g. in road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/16 in electrical installations, e.g. cableways
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/02 with containers for delivering the extinguishing substance
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/023 the extinguishing material being expelled by compressed gas, taken from storage tanks, or by generating a pressure gas for foam generation A62C5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/36 an actuating signal being generated by a sensor separate from an outlet device
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0045 using solid substances, e.g. sand, ashes; using substances forming a crust
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 1/0014 Powders; Granules
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/00 Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A fire suppression agent suitable for suppressing a lithium battery fire includes a bicarbonate powder and exfoliated vermiculite particles blended with the bicarbonate powder.

Claims

1. A fire suppression agent suitable for suppressing a lithium battery fire, the fire suppression agent comprising:

a bicarbonate powder; and

exfoliated vermiculite particles blended with the bicarbonate powder.

2. The fire suppression agent of claim 1, wherein a concentration of the vermiculite particles ranges from 5% to 40% by weight.

3. The fire suppression agent of claim 1, wherein a D90 diameter of the vermiculite particles is less than 70 microns.

4. The fire suppression agent of claim 1, wherein a D50 diameter of the vermiculite particles is less than 35 microns.

5. The fire suppression agent of claim 1, wherein the bicarbonate powder comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and combinations thereof.

6. The fire suppression agent of claim 1, wherein the fire suppression agent is further capable of suppressing a fire comprising at least one of:

a combustible nonmetal solid;

a combustible fluid; and

an electrical component.

7. A fire suppression system comprising:

a vessel; and

a fire suppression agent contained within the vessel, the fire suppression agent comprising;

a bicarbonate powder; and

exfoliated vermiculite particles;

wherein the fire suppression agent is capable of suppressing a lithium battery fire.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the fire suppression agent is further capable of suppressing a fire comprising at least one of:

a combustible nonmetal solid;

a combustible fluid; and

an electrical component.

9. The system of claim 7 and further comprising:

a nozzle for selectively discharging the fire suppression agent.

10. The system of claim 7 and further comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a fire.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the sensor is one of a smoke detector, thermal sensor, ultraviolet sensor, and infrared sensor.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the vessel is portable.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the vessel is incorporated into a fixed fire suppression system.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein a concentration of the vermiculite particles ranges from 5% to 40% by weight.

15. The system of claim 7, wherein the bicarbonate powder comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein a concentration of the vermiculite particles ranges from 5% to 40% by weight.

16. A method of making a fire suppression agent suitable for suppressing a lithium battery fire, the method comprising:

combining an amount of exfoliated vermiculite particles and a bicarbonate powder.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the bicarbonate powder comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the fire suppression agent is further capable of suppressing a fire comprising at least one of:

a combustible nonmetal solid;

a combustible fluid; and

an electrical component.

20. The method of claim 16 and further comprising:

adding the fire suppression agent to a vessel to form a fire suppression system.