GAS EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS INERT GAS EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS. Argotec Liquid Argon Gas Extinguishing Technology (LAR)

Transcription

1 GAS EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS INERT GAS EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS Argotec Liquid Argon Gas Extinguishing Technology (LAR)

2 INNOVATION modern technologie snuffed out cold Argotec liquid argon gas ex tinguishing technol - ogy (LAR) stands for the successful transfer of tried-and-tested tech nology to new dimensions. With the loss-free storage of liquid argon at a temperature of 143 C, a pressure of 20 bar and a storage quantity of 5 to 50 t, liquid argon gas extinguishing systems represent an innovative technological milestone. In this new dimension, Argotec liquid argon gas extinguish - ing technology features very high operational availability with the use of economically attractive sol utions and therefore sets new standards in environmentally safe extinguishing technology with inert gases. Economically attractive Non-residue, clean and safe extinguishing of sensitive facil ities or hazardous materials is the special strength of inert gas fire extinguishing systems. Various extinguishing agents and system technologies en able customized solu - tions for almost any application. For fire ex - tinguishing solutions requiring high amounts of extinguishing agent, there has until now been no economic alternative to carbon dioxide stored in low-pressure tanks. Argotec liquid argon tech nology now enables the liquid compact storage of the inert gas argon fully without loss up until the time it is needed for extinguishing. This loss-free storage is the unprecedented prerequisite for an alternative to carbon dioxide low-pressure extinguishing systems and for economic operations. Argotec liquid argon tech nology features: Compact, space-saving ex tinguishing agent storage: because liquid argon has a density 850 times greater than that of gaseous argon. Multiple discharge and dis charge to maintain concentration with one tank filling: because ingenious time con trol and system calculations enable the effective use of the extinguishing agent supply. Extinguishing concepts for high-explosive fire risk areas: because Argotec liquid argon technology makes it possible to store the quan tities of extinguishing agent required for this purpose. High variability due to flex ible pipe instal - lation: be cause liquid argon requires only small pipe diameters even for large discharge areas. System concepts for the simultaneous protection of several areas with one tank: because electro-pneumatic control processes enable the precise discharge into different areas.

3 ADVANTAGE loss-free storage high operational safety Argotec liquid argon gas extinguishing systems feature special advantages in applications with a large extinguishing agent requirement, for example Chemical, paint and other storage areas (hazardous materials and deep-freeze storage) Complex production facil ities such as production lines and rolling mills, hydraulic, painting and powder-coating facilities IT and telecommunications facilities Printing presses, gas tur bines and com - pressors, engine test stands, etc. The special feature of Minimax technology is the loss-free storage of liquid argon. Argon, which under normal conditions is gaseous, also when stored in high-pressure steel cylinders, is liquefied at a pressure of 20 bar and a temperature of 143 C and stored in a vacuum-insulated cryogenic vessel. Conventional argon liquid gas vessels are self-cooling due to the vaporization of the argon during removal. This process is unsuitable for fire extinguish ing systems, how - ever, since only a vessel that is constantly filled ensures the availability of the calculated quan tity of extinguishing agent. Therefore, the Argotec liquid argon vessel is connected to a special cooling machine, which recondenses the vaporizing argon in a closed circuit. The optimized vessel insulation provides for a low vaporization rate and therefore for short cooling intervals, high oper a tional safety in case of malfunctions and low operating costs. Electronic weighing cells contin ually monitor the vessel weight and position transmitters monitor the correct oper ating status of the valves. System design The Argotec liquid argon calculation program is the result of many years of ex perience and the analysis of many series of tests. It takes into account all effects of the low extinguishant temperatures on the system com ponents and determines the extinguishant quantity, pipe diameters, number of extinguishing nozzles, pressure relief vents, etc.

4 SYSTEM complex fire protection high availability Argotec liquid argon supply vessels are filled via a hose con nection from a normal liquid gas tank truck. Gas suppliers deliver the liquid argon to nearly any location at any time. Therefore, this technol ogy is especially suitable for pro - tection concepts with very high operational availability requirements. Argotec liquid argon gas extinguishing systems require minimum maintenance. When they are needed to extinguish a fire often only after years of stand-by operation they must function one hundred percent reliably. Regular maintenance guarantees operational reliability. Design of an Argotec Liquid Argon Gas Extinguishing System Flooding zone 1 (warehouse) Flooding zone 2 (electric switch room) Seitenbreite = 195 mm Liquid argon supply vessel with weighing cell leakage monitor Electro-pneumatic pilot valve Safety valve with changeover valve Main shut-off valve Gate valve of pneumatic pilot pipe Pneumatic control device Electronic fire detection and control panel Safety valve Selector valve Cooling machine with intake port Electric stop push button Electric manually push button release Door release unit Pneumatic horn Electric horn Room protection nozzle Pressure relief Fire detection element

5 ENVIRONMENT Argon the natural extinguishant Seitenbreite = 195 mm Argotec liquid argon gas ex tinguishing technol - ogy uses natural argon gas taken from the atmosphere. Release of the gas is not harmful to the ozone layer and does not contribute to the greenhouse effect. There are no critical values for argon, which is also used without restrictions in many other industrial sectors. This means: The use of argon is future-proof and environmentally friendly. In addition, argon is not electrically conductive, and it is odorless and colorless, heavier than air and therefore the ideal extinguishing gas for a number of special risk areas, such as: In electrical systems, where there is a risk of short circuits. For extinguishing light metal fires, which cannot be put out with other extinguishing agents. Wherever other extin guishants in combina - tion with the burning material would result in toxic compounds or mixtures, therefore requiring complex facilities for protecting the environment. Wherever carbon dioxide cannot be use for reasons of personal safety. Increased safety for human beings The extinguishing gas argon displaces only the material-specific oxygen necessary for combus - tion. The remaining oxygen in an argon extin - guish ing atmosphere, e.g. in a design for a wood or paper surface fire, is comparable to the oxygen content in high mountain areas. This means that there is no danger to life even in the immediate discharge area. The argon in the Argotec liquid argon gas extinguishing system is transported to the extinguishing nozzles in liquid form at very low temperatures and under pressure. Upon release it becomes gaseous in form, thus withdrawing heat from the surrounding environment. The arrangement of the extinguishing nozzles and the alarming and evacuation of the areas before discharge guarantee safe operation for use in occupied areas.

6 FUNCTION Argotec Liquid Argon Gas Extinguishing Technology (LAR) Explanation of the loss-free storage of argon The liquid argon is stored in the storage vessel at an oper ating pressure of 20 bar and a temperature of 143 C. The vaporized argon in the vessel is recondensed in a closed circuit with a special cooling machine. A pres sure-dependent control unit regulates the cooling. System LAR 6/26 LAR 11/26 LAR 16/26 LAR 21/26 Extinguishing quantity (kg) 5,700 10,600 15,100 19,700 Maximum protection volume (m 3 closed-in space)* 8,100 9,400 14,100 17,500 Installation area (m 2 ) Total weight (t) Connected load (kw) Power consumption (kwh/a) 10,000 16,000 20,000 22,000 Rated operating pressure (bar) Rated storage temperature (K / C) 130 / / / / 143 Maximum permissible ambient temperature (ºC) 0 to 45 0 to 45 0 to 45 0 to 45 Sound pressure of cooling machine (db[a]) * Designed for 41.8 Vol. % extinguishant concentration, max. 80 % emptying of vessel, structurally optimized space enclosure Subject to technical alterations Minimax GmbH & Co. KG Industriestrasse 10/ Bad Oldesloe Germany Phone: Fax: info@minimax.de Nr. S PB10Ce_02/ 09.04/1/12.09/ HA Printed in Germany