Steamexfire
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The Steamexfire refers to a high flow inert gas generator, or any inert gas generator that produces an inert gas consisting of nitrogen and CO2, steam and water vapour. Such generators reduce environmental oxygen enough to extinguish fires in settings like tunnels, mining, or shipping.[1]
Principle
The Steamexfire is driven by a jet engine, in which air is compressed into a combustion chamber where fuel (kerosene) is injected. The flammable mixture of fuel and air is ignited by a sparkplug, and the gases expand as a result of the combustion process. The gases are forced into a turbine which drives a compressor. The exhaust gas of a jet engine contains approx. 17% oxygen. [citation needed] In a second stage combustion chamber, more fuel is injected and ignited. As a result of this process, all oxygen is consumed, and what remains is an inert gas.[citation needed] This process takes place in a 7-meter-long combustion tube, which is cooled by water. The heated water is injected at the end of the cooling tube, and consequently the water is turned into water vapor and steam. As a result, the Steamexfire produces up to 25 cubic meters of inert steam and water vapor per second.[citation needed] The fore runner of the Steamexfire is called the GAG unit.[citation needed][2]
Underground mine fires
The Steamexfire has been deployed to fight underground
References
- ^ "Steamexfire - Liberty Gasturbine Holland" (in Dutch). 2022-06-20. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ "Mine Emergency Exercise - Department of Natural Resources and Mines" (PDF). 2014.
- ^ "Taking jet engine technology underground". www.miningmonthly.com. 2006-02-03. Retrieved 2024-01-14.