Patent Application
20090241776
This invention relates to smoke removal apparatus and an associated method for smoke removal. In particular, the invention concerns the removal of smoke from a confined space without the necessity of ventilating the confined space to the atmosphere.
Smoke is a visible suspension of gases and particles in air produced through combustion of a material, as a result of a fire, for example. It is well-known that inhalation of smoke is dangerous to humans and can cause serious respiratory trouble, leading to death in some cases. The cause of death can be thermal damage, poisoning and/or pulmonary irritation. Both poisoning and pulmonary irritation are often caused by toxins present in smoke. Generally speaking, a person subjected to smoke inhalation for a longer period will be more likely to be seriously injured. Further, smoke is still very dangerous long after a fire has been extinguished, especially in confined spaces. Smoke can make seeing difficult and, when thick, obscures a person's view completely. This can lead to disorientation and increased danger. It is known that smoke forms layers such that thicker smoke tends to be located higher in a room and that the layers of smoke decrease in thickness towards lower parts of the room. Typically, thicker smoke will be more visibility-reducing than less-thick smoke.
Although with the use of respiratory apparatus a person can breath in a smoke filled space, thick smoke will likely prevent the person from carrying out anything but simple tasks. Therefore, there is usually some delay before the clean up operation can start, following extinguishing of the fire, as the smoke must clear somewhat beforehand. Further, rescuers, for example firemen, may be unaware of the existence of a casualty in the smoke-filled space, as the casualty cannot be located by sight. It is, therefore, clear that it is beneficial in those circumstances for a room to be cleared of at least visibility-reducing smoke quickly.
Unfortunately, following a fire in a confined space having no means of direct ventilation with the atmosphere (outside air), it can be very difficult to remove the smoke. Such a situation arises in marine vessels, for example ships and submarines, and in buildings where any form of ventilation to the atmosphere would involve venting the confined space through other parts of the marine vessel or building. In the situation of a submarine, this is further complicated by the lack of openable hatches and, additionally, these hatches often cannot be opened as they are underwater.
At present, the only solution for removing smoke from a confined space (having no means of direct ventilation to the atmosphere) is to vent through other parts of the marine vessel or building either by simply opening doors or hatches, or by using lengthy pipe work and an extractor-fan arrangement. This can effect the breathable environment throughout the rest of the building or marine vessel, which is particularly disadvantageous. Further, arranging lengthy pipe work is very time consuming and increases the risk to humans from smoke, as the exposure time is longer.
Smoke removal units and domestic air treatment units are known in the art to provide treated air.
Smoke removal units have been devised for use in smoking rooms, for example. The units are permanently located in the smoking room in the region of the ceiling, typically. Smoke from cigarettes is drawn into the unit and subjected to mechanical and/or electrostatic filtration, as can be seen in the smoke removal units described in EP1481717-A. These units are only intended to deal with cigarette smoke which contains very low, if any, amounts of large particles or floating debris. Owing to their position around the ceiling, it is very unlikely that large particles or floating debris—for example soot or non-fully combusted material—of the kind emitted by a full-scale fire will reach the smoke removal unit on the ceiling, as a cigarette does not provide enough up-thrust to propel the large particles or floating debris that far. Further, although the units are intended for removing smoke from a room, the amount of smoke in the room would not be such that vision of a person would not be substantially or totally obscured, in that, thick layers of visibility-reducing smoke do not typically occur. As such, smoke removal units, as described above, would neither cope with smoke from a fire nor are they intended to.
Domestic air treatment units are, typically, floor-mounted and intended to treat air to remove dust, smells and/or biological material to aid sufferers of asthma or other respiratory illnesses. To do that, mechanical and/or electrostatic filters may used to filter air and any suspended contaminants. However, these units are not intended to deal with actual smoke of any kind, although, they may tackle the issue of the smell of smoke from cigarettes, for example. As such, these units would neither cope with smoke from a fire nor are they intended to.
Further, particles of a larger size or floating debris are likely to clog domestic air treatment units and smoke removal units as the filters provide a very high degree of filtering for small particles and are, therefore, prone to clogging if particles—for example floating debris—of a much larger size than intended for that machine become entrained in the filters.
In addition, both domestic air treatment units and smoke removal units provide removal of smoke or treatment of air at temperatures of the smoke or air that are substantially at room temperature. The filters, in particular the mechanical filters, are simply not designed to deal with smoke from a fire that may have a very high temperature when entering the unit, as aspects of the filters may melt.
It will also be understood that smoke from a fire that has just recently been extinguished may contain a large amount of water and/or water vapour. The water-vapour content of the smoke will be much higher than that of air at room temperature. Again, neither the smoke removal units nor the domestic air treatment units are designed to deal with high amounts of water and/or water vapour.
Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus and method which provide an improved way of removing smoke from a confined space, having no means of direct ventilation to the atmosphere. In particular, there is a need for an apparatus that substantially removes smoke from a confined space quickly.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a smoke removal apparatus, capable of operating in a confined space without ventilation of the apparatus to the atmosphere to provide removal of smoke from air to be treated, comprising one or more of the following filters:
Preferably, the apparatus is arranged to collect smoke to a substantially upper-region of the apparatus.
Further preferably, the apparatus is arranged to collect smoke from substantially above the apparatus.
Preferably, the apparatus is arranged to expel treated air from a substantially lower-region of the apparatus.
Further preferably, the apparatus is arranged to expel treated air to substantially below the apparatus.
Advantageously, the apparatus may be provided with an outlet arranged to expel treated air in a direction substantially perpendicular to smoke passing through the one or more filters.
Advantageously, the apparatus may be provided with an outlet arranged to provide radial distribution of treated air.
As a preference, smoke may be passed substantially downwardly through the one or more filters.
The smoke removal apparatus may further comprise fan means, arranged to collect smoke, pass it through the one or more filters and expel treated air from the apparatus. In particular, the fan means may comprise part of the outlet and, preferably, the fan means may comprise a centrifugal fan having a rotating outlet, which provides radial distribution of treated air.
Preferably, the apparatus comprises an inlet, located at a substantially upper-region of the apparatus and may further comprise an inlet flue operatively connected to the inlet that is suitable for providing a relatively higher inlet to the apparatus. Preferably, the inlet flue may be extendable to vary the height of the inlet.
The filters may be arranged in compartments, each compartment individually arranged to be easily removed for cleaning or replacement.
Preferably, the mechanical filter comprises a course mesh. The mesh may be made of a material comprising aluminium.
The electrostatic filter may comprise an arrangement of an ionising wire and alternatively charged plates.
The chemical filter may comprise activated carbon. Preferably, the chemical filter may further comprise alkali salts or acid salts, for neutralisation of acidic or basic gaseous molecules. As such, the alkali salts may comprise soda lime.
Preferably, the smoke removal apparatus is provided as a single unit.
Further preferably, the smoke removal apparatus is arranged to be floor-mounted.
Most preferably, the smoke removal apparatus is arranged to be portable.
In particular, the apparatus is arranged to treat air which is polluted by smoke. As a consequence of the smoke, visibility through the air to be treated has been reduced and, following treatment, visibility through the treated air is improved.
Advantageously, the apparatus is arranged to be used in a room in a building or in a compartment onboard a marine vessel.
Most preferably, the apparatus further comprises a portable power source.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of smoke removal comprising: providing a smoke removal apparatus, capable of operating in a confined space without ventilation of the apparatus to the atmosphere to provide removal of smoke from air to be treated, comprising one or more filters selected from a mechanical filter; an electrostatic filter; and/or a chemical filter; wherein smoke is collected from a relatively higher position, is passed through the one or more filters and treated air is expelled to a relatively lower position.
Preferably, smoke is collected to a substantially upper-region of the apparatus.
Most preferably, smoke is collected from substantially above the apparatus.
Preferably, treated air is expelled from a substantially lower-region of the apparatus.
Most preferably, treated air is expelled to substantially below the apparatus.
The apparatus may be provided with an outlet which expels treated air in a direction substantially perpendicular to smoke passing through the one or more filters.
Preferably, the apparatus is provided with an outlet at a substantially lower-region of the apparatus which, preferably, provides radial distribution of treated air.
In particular, smoke may be passed substantially downwardly through the one or more filters from the substantially upper-region of the apparatus to the substantially lower-region of the apparatus.
Preferably, smoke may be collected and passed through the one or more filters, and treated air may be expelled by way of fan means.
Most preferably, smoke may be subjected to particulate filtration, then electrostatic filtration, then chemical filtration.
Advantageously, during periods of inactivity of the apparatus, the filters may be each individually easily removed for cleaning or replacement.
Preferably, the smoke removal apparatus may be portable and may be transported to a site in need of smoke removal, and operated to provide treated air.
Most preferably, the smoke removal apparatus may be operated to treat air which is polluted by smoke to substantially remove smoke therefrom. As such, when smoke has reduced visibility, the apparatus may be operated to treat the smoke and provide improved visibility.
Advantageously, the present invention provides for removal of smoke from a confined space. Most advantageously, the present invention provides clearance of visibility-reducing smoke from a space, whether the space be confined or not. Further, clearance is carried out quickly, so as to remove visibility-reducing smoke from a room or compartment in a matter of minutes, which allows removal of casualties for further clear-up operations to begin quicker than if the room or compartment was left to clear naturally. Further, the apparatus may be used advantageously to aid clearance of smoke from a room which does have some form of ventilation to the atmosphere.
Advantageously, positioning of the outlet at the bottom of the apparatus provides a layer of treated air beneath the smoke, such that treated air is not directly mixed with smoke.
Further advantageously, providing the treated air radially from the outlet and, therefore, providing a layer of treated air at or around ground level or at least below the smoke, mixing of treated air and smoke is minimised. As a consequence of minimising mixing, visibility in the room or compartment is restored more quickly. Therefore, turbulence between smoke and treated air is minimised and a near homogenous layer of treated air is provided below the layers of smoke.
Further advantageously, a room or compartment is cleared of smoke by providing layers of treated air beneath the smoke which push upwards on the smoke which, at least partly, pushes the smoke towards the inlet of the apparatus and/or towards upper parts of the room or compartment, from where it may be collected for filtering.
Embodiments of the invention shall now be described by way of example only, with reference to, or as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
As shown in
The apparatus 1 is capable of operating in a confined space without ventilation of the apparatus to the atmosphere. The confined space may be any room in a building or compartment onboard a marine vessel which contains smoke.
The mechanical filter 2 is provided in a compartment towards the top 7 of the apparatus 1 and has an aluminium mesh filter consisting of several layers of corrugated, aluminium mesh. The mechanical filter provides initial filtration of larger particles, say, particles having a second dimension greater than 1 mm. As such, it will be understood that such a mechanical filter is a course filter intended to filter relatively larger particles, in particular, floating debris and fly ash. It is preferred to filter these relatively larger particles as they may cause arching of electricity when entering the electrostatic filter, which can disrupt the filtering achieved by that filter. This filter is arranged to provide quick filtering of smoke to remove a substantial amount of large particles and/or floating debris from the smoke prior to the smoke passing through to the electrostatic filter. The nature of the mechanical filter—the aluminium mesh—is such that it can be easily removed from the apparatus 1 and cleaned to remove entrained particles. Therefore, the mechanical filter 2 is re-usable. Naturally, the filter may be made of other suitable material, for example, other metals or any material capable of filtering the hot smoke without deforming or decomposing.
The electrostatic filter 3 is provided in a further compartment located towards the middle 8 of the apparatus 1 and operates in a standard manner. It consists of an earthed casing—that may be part of the compartment—which holds a number of plates that alternate between 0V (Volts)—earth—and around 4.8 kV along the length. There is a rail at the top of the filter holding ionising wires. These wires are charged at around 8 kV. A substantial part of the smoke passing past these wires becomes charged and then sticks to the alternating plates, removing those particles from the smoke. The remaining smoke is then transferred to the chemical filter. The power for the electrostatic filter 3 is provided by a drive unit which is included in the body of the apparatus 1. This filter 3 is removable from the apparatus, cleanable and re-usable. Advantageously, arching of smoke on the plates and/or wires can be minimised by using a lower voltage on the plates and wires.
The chemical filter 4 consists of a compartment having a metal meshed top and bottom located towards the bottom 9 of the apparatus 1. The filter 4 includes one or more layers of activated carbon, in the form of carbon cloth, and an amount of soda lime, which is provided in dry-state, for example, granules. Preferably, the carbon cloth and soda lime are separated by a metal mesh. The carbon cloth and soda lime absorb part of the smoke left over from mechanical and electrostatic filtration and substantially remove—or at least substantially reduce—from the air, for example, any remaining toxic gases. The chemical filter may be used a number of times but is not infinitely re-usable, as its operation is dependent upon the lifetime of effective operation of the soda lime and carbon—which cannot be simply cleaned to prolong use and must be replaced
The inlet 5 is provided at the top 7 of the apparatus 1, as can be seen in
The outlet 6 is provided at the bottom 9 of the apparatus, as can be seen in
A fan arrangement 10 is provided to draw smoke into the apparatus 1, pass the smoke through in turn each of the mechanical, electrostatic and chemical filters, and expel treated air from the apparatus 1. The fan arrangement 10 is located in the region of the outlet 6, at the bottom 9 of the apparatus. Smoke is filtered through the one or more filters 2,3,4 in a substantially downwards direction. By the phrase ‘downward direction’, it is meant that smoke is filtered when travelling from the top 7 of the apparatus 1 to the bottom 9 thereof. As can be seen in
The apparatus 1 is also provided with appropriate circuitry and, at least, a processor (including a memory) to provide control and operation of the apparatus 1.
The apparatus 1 is provided with a power source (not shown) that is separate from the apparatus 1, in the form of a power pack. However, the apparatus can also run directly from mains electricity (or equivalent) or be powered by an internal battery.
Preferably, the whole apparatus 1 is capable of resisting a certain amount of heat. As such, the outer regions of the apparatus are made of metal and some internal components may be insulated. The main body of the apparatus is constructed nearly entirely of metal and is riveted together for strength, as the apparatus must be rugged and capable of being moved around. For example, the apparatus can be made nearly entirely of aluminium or steal.
In use, the apparatus 1 is located in a room or compartment filled with smoke. The apparatus 1 may be permanently located in that room or compartment—if that room contains a potential hazard—or have been transported there in response to a fire. The apparatus 1 is primarily for use once the fire has been extinguished.
The apparatus 1 is operated to remove some or all smoke from the room or compartment and provide an atmosphere in the room or compartment of an acceptable level for further small scale cleanup to begin. This may involve ventilating the room or compartment to the surrounding area—not being the atmosphere—or to the atmosphere per se. In order to clarify use of the term the ‘atmosphere’, this should be understood to mean outside air, for example, opening a window is ventilating a room to the atmosphere.
In operation, smoke from upper regions of the room or compartment is drawn into the apparatus in the region of the top 7, through the inlet 5,5′, by the fan arrangement 10. From the inlet 5,5′, smoke is passed through the mechanical filter 2 to remove larger particles from the smoke and floating fire debris, for example, soot. The larger particles and/or floating debris are entrained in the aluminium mesh, which provides removal of them from the smoke. Smoke from the mechanical filter 2 is passed through the electrostatic filter 3 to remove further smoke particles and leave, substantially, only fire gas plus, perhaps, some very small particles. As such, smoke entering the electrostatic filter is substantially ionised such that a large proportion of the smoke sticks to the alternatively charged plates. The fire gas leaving the electrostatic filter 2 is finally filtered through the chemical filter where parts of the fire gas are absorbed by the carbon or soda lime, providing treated air, which has most constituents of smoke removed therefrom. Treated air is then returned to the room or compartment at around floor-level, providing a layer of treated air beneath the smoke. Preferably, as little mixing as possible of treated air and smoke occurs. As smoke exists in layers, it will be understood that a layer of treated air is provided in lower parts of a room or compartment. As the apparatus is operated, the size of the layer of treated air increases from lower parts of the room or compartment towards the upper parts of the room or compartment, and pushes upwards on the layers of smoke above. Consequently, by collecting smoke from substantially above the apparatus and by providing a constant stream of treated air during operation at around floor level (or below the apparatus), a form of convection current is provided which is intended to allow the apparatus to filter all of the smoke in the room or compartment.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0606571.8 | Mar 2006 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB07/01027 | 3/22/2007 | WO | 00 | 6/5/2009 |
