Antifreeze formulation containing glycerol

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10046191-B1
Application number	US-201715842282-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Dec 14, 2017
Priority date	May 31, 2017
Publication date	Aug 14, 2018
Grant date	Aug 14, 2018

Abstract

An antifreeze is provided for deployment in wet sprinkler systems located in cold environments. The antifreezes allows for the wet sprinkler system to be actuated under temperatures below 32° F. Wet sprinklers, methods of preventing wet sprinklers from freezing and methods of extinguishing fires also are provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An antifreeze to be deployed in a wet sprinkler system, wherein the antifreeze comprises
56% by volume water having a conductivity of no more than 500 μS/cm 2 at a temperature of 68° F. to 79° F.;
44% by volume glycerol;
0.37% by weight potassium acetate;
0.09% by weight triethanolamine;
0.07% by weight trisodium citrate; and
0.07% by weight monosodium phosphate, wherein the antifreeze has a pH of 7.9.

2. The antifreeze according to claim 1 , wherein the antifreeze has a heat release rate of no more than 10% higher than a heat release rate of at least one fire condition selected from the group of conditions consisting of (i) just prior to discharge of the antifreeze solution for any consecutive 15 second period throughout the discharge of the antifreeze and (ii) a maximum running 60 second average heat release rate measured prior to discharge of the antifreeze solution for any consecutive 15 second period throughout the discharge of the antifreeze.

3. The antifreeze according to claim 2 , wherein the heat release rate is determined using pendent sprinklers having a nominal K-factor of 4.2 and 8.0 gpm/(psig) 1/2 on a supply piping arrangement comprising nominal 2-inch diameter steel pipe or larger connected to a pump system capable of providing the required test pressure and flow.

4. The antifreeze according to claim 2 , wherein the heat release rate is determined using a line-burner assembly with four spray nozzles arranged to discharge heptane at a total flow rate of 1.6 gpm (6.0 l/min) resulting in a fire having a nominal total heat release rate of 3,000 kW.

5. The antifreeze according to claim 4 , wherein the spray nozzles are to be spaced 24 inches (610 mm) apart on the supply line and 24 inches (610 mm) above the floor.

6. The antifreeze according to claim 1 , wherein the antifreeze has an electrical shock risk similar to water when discharged onto energized equipment found in dwelling units.

7. A wet sprinkler system comprising an antifreeze, wherein the antifreeze comprises
56% by volume water having a conductivity of no more than 500 μS/cm 2 at a temperature of 68° F. to 79° F.;
44% by volume glycerol;
0.37% by weight potassium acetate;
0.09% by weight triethanolamine;
0.07% by weight trisodium citrate; and
0.07% by weight monosodium phosphate, wherein the antifreeze has a pH of 7.9, wherein the antifreeze has a heat release rate of no more than 10% higher than a heat release rate of at least one fire condition selected from the group of conditions consisting of (i) just prior to discharge of the antifreeze solution for any consecutive 15 second period throughout the discharge of the antifreeze and (ii) a maximum running 60 second average heat release rate measured prior to discharge of the antifreeze solution for any consecutive 15 second period throughout the discharge of the antifreeze.

8. The wet sprinkler system according to claim 7 , wherein the entirety of the wet sprinkler system is filled with the antifreeze.

9. The wet sprinkler system according to claim 7 , wherein a portion of the wet sprinkler system that is exposed to a cold environment is filled with the antifreeze.

10. The wet sprinkler system according to claim 7 , wherein the wet sprinkler system can limit temperatures in a ceiling space under 600° F. (316° C.) during a fire, and wherein temperature is measured 3 inches below the ceiling space.

11. The wet sprinkler system according to claim 7 , wherein the wet sprinkler system during a fire limits the temperature to no more than 200° F. (93° C.) at 5¼ feet (1.6 m) above a floor space.

12. The wet sprinkler system according to claim 7 , wherein the wet sprinkler system during a fire limits the temperature to no more than 130° F. (93° C.) at 5¼ feet (1.6 m) above a floor space over a continuous 2-minute period.

13. The wet sprinkler system according to claim 7 , wherein the ceiling is composed of ceiling material, and wherein during a fire the temperature of the ceiling material ¼ inch (6.4 mm) behind a surface of the ceiling is no more than 500° F. (260° C.).

14. A method of preventing a wet sprinkler from freezing comprising the step of filling a wet sprinkler with an antifreeze comprising
56% by volume water having a conductivity of no more than 500 μS/cm 2 at a temperature of 68° F. to 79° F.;
44% by volume glycerol;
0.37% by weight potassium acetate;
0.09% by weight triethanolamine;
0.07% by weight trisodium citrate; and

0.07% by weight monosodium phosphate, wherein the antifreeze has a pH of 7.9, wherein the antifreeze has a heat release rate of no more than 10% higher than a heat release rate of at least one fire condition selected from the group of conditions consisting of (i) just prior to discharge of the antifreeze solution for any consecutive 15 second period throughout the discharge of the antifreeze and (ii) a maximum running 60 second average heat release rate measured prior to discharge of the antifreeze solution for any consecutive 15 second period throughout the discharge of the antifreeze.

15. A method of providing for the extinguishment of a fire that occurs in a cold environment, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
providing a wet sprinkler system that is at least partially located in cold environment; and
deploying in the wet sprinkler system comprising an antifreeze comprising
56% by volume water having a conductivity of no more than 500 μS/cm 2 at a temperature of 68° F. to 79° F.;
44% by volume glycerol;
0.37% by weight potassium acetate;
0.09% by weight triethanolamine;
0.07% by weight trisodium citrate; and

0.07% by weight monosodium phosphate, wherein the antifreeze has a pH of 7.9, wherein the antifreeze has a heat release rate of no more than 10% higher than a heat release rate of at least one fire condition selected from the group of conditions consisting of (i) just prior to discharge of the antifreeze solution for any consecutive 15 second period throughout the discharge of the antifreeze and (ii) a maximum running 60 second average heat release rate measured prior to discharge of the antifreeze solution for any consecutive 15 second period throughout the discharge of the antifreeze.

Assignees

• Tyco Fire Products Lp

Inventors

• Hernandez Hayden Erik
• Cogswell Jeremy Tyler

Classifications

• A62C3/004

  for freezing warehouses and storages · CPC title

• A62C35/60

  wet, i.e. containing extinguishing material even when not in use · CPC title

• C09K5/20

  Antifreeze additives therefor, e.g. for radiator liquids (for application to surfaces C09K3/18; inhibiting corrosion by liquids C23F11/00) · CPC title

• A62D1/0035 Primary

  Aqueous solutions · CPC title