TPU Scientists Develop Pulse-Based Method for Extinguishing Petroleum Product Fires
Scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) have developed a pulse-based system for extinguishing burning petroleum products that is more effective than the traditional continuous method. The technology reduces foam concentrate consumption by 40–50%.
Today, fires are most often extinguished by continuously applying the extinguishing agent, but TPU's research showed that this approach is dangerous for petroleum products: a sharp increase in pressure and temperature causes the burning hydrocarbon to splash, allowing the fire to spread over a larger area and, in tank farms, to spread to adjacent tanks.
The automatic system monitors temperature, infrared radiation from the flame and readings from gas analysis sensors, and independently determines when to start and stop the application. The technology also includes cooling the inner and outer walls of the tank to prevent re-ignition.
Based on the development, TPU and the Russian Emergencies Ministry's Research Institute for Fire Defense are preparing a dedicated protocol for extinguishing bitumen in thermally insulated tanks.
