A new system to control fires in liquefied natural gas LNG fires has been unveiled by Pittsburgh Corning Corporation.
Foamglas PFS pool fire suppressant cubes are prepackaged in UV-resistant bags that rest uniformly in a sump or other containment area. These units are easily installed on site, says the company, and do not require any specialised skills or equipment to install or maintain.
The system provides immediate and automatic control without any deployment delays. Because they are highly buoyant, the PFS bags rise to the surface of the LNG pool, so providing an insulating cap that can reduce the rate of evaporation. In the event of ignition, the PFS cubes are released from the bags on the pool surface and quickly limit thermal radiation and flame height.
In scale tests performed by Shell Research, a depth of 200 mm (8 inches) of Foamglas provided immediate and automatic control of the fire at a level comparable with that of 1-2 m of high-expansion foam, reports the company.
Recent field trials at the Emergency Services Training Institute in Texas showed that firefighters equipped with a single 20 lb dry chemical extinguisher were able to quickly approach the edge of the containment pit and extinguish the flames within seconds, with only a partial charge.
The company says its system delivers a reliable, low-cost, low-maintenance solution for the reduction of thermal radiation and flame height in contained LNG fires.
