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Linde Group has unveiled a new extinguishing system which, it is claimed, reduces the risk to firefighters of large smouldering fires, as well as protecting stock. This is achieved by the fire extinguisher injecting liquid carbon dioxide through a specially designed nozzle, sealing off the fire.
Fires in silos storing organic material, such as wood chips, grain and increasingly raw material for bio fuels, can be dangerous to fight and potentially explosive. Smouldering fires are created when moist, organic matter such as wood chips starts to ferment, often occurring in silos.
“Our new carbon dioxide extinguishing process will not only significantly decrease the risk of explosion, increasing safety for firefighters but, because it is a clean agent any material which is not burned by the fire can remain undamaged, maintaining product value,” said Michael Heisel, project manager at Linde Gases division.
Being denser than air, carbon dioxide sinks to the lowest level once injected into a silo and, as the fire continues underneath, the remaining air is consumed which creates a downward vacuum. This stifles the fire as carbon dioxide isn’t flammable so it has nothing to burn. In addition, the carbon dioxide efficiently catches sparks form the fire and extinguishes them, further reducing the risk of explosion. This can be applied from a distance and, as a result, protects the firefighters.
The extinguishing agent can be stored in small tanks at large silo stations, or in mobile tanks at fire stations.