CA2934241A1 - Use of dry ice to extinguish forest fires - Google Patents

Abstract

An experiment was done to determine the feasibility of dry ice to extinguish forest fires. It was found to be quick, complete and practical for this purpose. The safety to manpower and environment was taken into consideration, this also proved to be a satisfactory outcome when used for the purpose it was intended and with precaution as with chemicals.

Description

page 2 Use of Dry Ice to Extinguish Forest Fires Explanation on how dry ice works:
Carbon dioxide(CO2) is heavier than most other gases in air(Normal air is Nitrogen N2 and Oxygen 02) so most carbon dioxide(CO2) will settle to the bottom. Thus , CO2 in the form of dry ice chunks or pellets denies a fire the required 02 to continue burning.
Advantages of dry ice over other fire retardants * Dry ice works quickly * Little or no effect on the environment * Economical * Can be Stored * Extinguishes a fire completely by chemical process * Saves precious water * Leaves no residue * Forest can regenerate to prevent mudslides * By extinguishing a fire, there is less damage to the atmosphere than a raging fire that burns for a long time * Fixed wing aircraft and helicopter deliveries are less dangerous to the firefighters * Specific gravity of dry ice is 1.56(water = 1), therefore embers do not rekindle Facts about dry ice * Dry ice is solid CO2 * Dry ice is extremely cold(-109.3 degrees F or - 78.5 degrees C) * The first published observation of dry ice was by French chemist page 3 Facts about dry ice (cont'd) Charles Trilorier. He noted the formation of dry ice when a container of liquid carbon dioxide was opened.
* Dry ice resembles snow or water ice. When solid it can be chunks or pellets * Dry ice usually ranges between 1.2 and 1.6 kg/dm3 * The molecular weight of dry ice is 44 01 g/mole * Specific gravity of dry ice is 1.56(water = 1) Definitions * Dry - lacks moisture, not wet or damp * Sublimates - to convert from a solid state into a gaseous state or undergoes deposition from gas to solid Uses for dry ice * Refrigerant Dry ice dangers and safety precautions * Frostbite - avoid contact of skin, eyes and mouth with dry ice * Explosion - dry ice is not flammable but it does exert pressure when it changes from solid dry ice to gaseous CO2.
Use porous containers or containers without tight seals.
* Respiratory hazard - Dry ice and CO2 are not toxic. The use of dry ice can sink and displace air at ground level causing a respiratory problem. Use dry ice in a well ventilated area * Do not eat or swallow dry ice Controlled fire experiment of water versus dry ice as a retardant

Claims (9)

Claim or Claims:

1. Dry ice is economical and effective on contact, thus solving the problem of prolonged use of man/women power and keeps extensive damage to people, homes and the environment to a minimum.

2. Use Dry ice pellets/chunks large enough to drop from Helicopter & fixed wing Air Craft so sublimation is kept to a minimum.

3. The dry ice must be in a semi-permeable bag(s) hung from the bottom of a Helicopter or loaded into the bomb bay of a fixed wing Air Craft and dropped onto the forest fire.

4. As a precaution, personal must use a Gas Mask when in contact with CO2 gas.

5. The use of insulated gloves is mandatory when handling dry ice because it is extremely cold(-109.3 degrees Fahrenheit or -78.5 degrees Centigrade).

6. All dry ice can be kept in semi-permeable able bag(s) and stored in large bins until needed.

7. Continental Carbonic products, inc., is the largest company in Canada &
United States of America capable of providing the d r ice in semi-permeable bags and the large storage bins.

8. This capability to completely extinguish a forest fire reduces or eliminates the need of fire fighters.

9. Use water first, then dry ice which completely extinguishes the forest fire and the embers do not rekindle.