Foam generator. Fire extinguishing with low, medium, high expansion foam generators

The foam generator is responsible for obtaining foam from the ready-to-use foam solution (premix). In stationary fire extinguishing installations, it is especially important that the foam generators are resistant to high temperatures and explosion. It is equally important that the foam from the generator enters the fire zone, even if the fire occurred far from the foam generator. Different models of foam generators are available on the Russian market, but GPS and GPSS developed in the 60s are the most popular. The article discusses different foam generators from the standpoint of functionality and application area.

FOAM GENERATORS BY POZHNEFTEHIM

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GPS, GPSS, PPP - foam generators

For decades, only GPS, GPSS and GChS generators have been used. Therefore, they are still widely known. The foam generators of the GPS, GPSS and GChS series are used to implement fire extinguishing technology with medium expansion foam with synthetic type S foam concentrate according to GOST R 50588. This technology was developed in the 60s. Today it is morally obsolete. In terms of efficiency, it is not comparable with fire extinguishing technologies with low-expansion film-forming foam with foam concentrates of the AFFF type, as well as high expansion foam technology.

Fire suppression systems with film-forming low expansion foam and high expansion foam comply both with Russian and international standards for fire extinguishing at industrial and production facilities. In such systems more efficient and functional foam generators are used.

Criteria for the selection of foam generators for firefighting industrial facilities

Feature	Facilities on which GPSS are installed	Tank with oil or oil product (highly flammable and combustible liquids)	Loading rack	Berthing complex (loading operations)	Pumping station
High temperature resistant	- The generator should always be in the range of permissible temperatures (if foam is not supplied to the grid)	+ The generator is always close to the hearth, where the temperature reaches hundreds of degrees	+ The generator is always close to the fire, where the temperature reaches hundreds of degrees	+ The generator is always close to the fire, where the temperature reaches hundreds of degrees	+ The generator is always close to the fire, where the temperature reaches hundreds of degrees
Explosion resistant	- The generator has no explosion protection	+ A tank fire usually starts with an explosion	-	-	+ Fire may start with an explosion
Wind resistant	- Medium expansion foam is easily blown away by the wind	-	+ Wind may affect irrigation map	+ Wind may affect irrigation map	-
Possibility of testing without feeding foam into the oil product	-	+	-	-	-
Jet shape	Compact	Sprayed
		Soft foam delivery requires less intensity	Tanks of different models differ in length. In a mixed composition, the compact jet may not fall into the neck	Foam should be fed evenly to process equipment in accordance with paragraph 3.7 of VSN 12-87	Even foam delivery is more effective for fighting fires
Optimal foam generator	-	Low expansion foam generator KNP	UVPN deluge sprinkler with oscillator UGP medium expansion foam generator with oscillator	UVPN deluge sprinkler with oscillator UGP medium expansion foam generator with oscillator	UVPN deluge sprinkler with oscillator GVPE High expansion foam generator UGP medium expansion foam generator with an oscillator Foam drenchers

«+» - required, «-» - not required

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Foam generators for stationary fire extinguishing installations

Modern foam generators Vega KNP, Shturm VPG, Antifire water-foam spray nozzle (special purpose deluge sprinkler) are designed for the modern method of foam fire extinguishing. This is the fuel fire suppression by the release of a thin insulating film from the foam layer of low expansion, which eliminates the evaporation of heated oil products through the foam layer. Foam of medium expansion also provides fuel fire suppression by insulation, but due to the thickness of the foam layer. It quickly collapses at high temperatures and fuel vapors pass through it, which leads to burnback, and in some cases to explosions after the fire has been extinguished. Thus, the choice of foam generator together with the foam concentrate affects the efficiency of the entire fire extinguishing installation.

Favorit foam generator is used for cubical fire suppression. Previously, GPS was used for vertical fire extinguishing. Compare the expansion of the foam: Favorit GVPE - 400-800, GPS - 60-100. Comments are redundant. If we compare the Favorit GVPE with the previously used high expansion foam generators with supercharging due to the electric fan, then GVPE does not require any additional energy, but generates high expansion foam due to ejection. Therefore, this type of generator is also considered as a modern one.

The most important criterion for the foam generator is its resistance to high temperatures. Specialists who still use GPS and GPSS in foam fire extinguishing installations should focus on this matter.

If we study the passport for the GPS series generators, we will find a significant limitation on the application area.

In addition to grids, GPS-600 has another weak point - the plastic swirl of water flow, which burns out during the response time of the system, which leads to complete inoperability of the generator.

GPSS has a similar disadvantage. In addition, during the tests of a third-party GPSS (Pozhneftehim does not produce GPSS), we noticed that during its operation part of the foam does not enter the protected area. Thus, during extinguishing, the required rate of foam concentrate solution is not provided. In similar tests, GChS (Pozhneftehim does not produce GChS) about 30% of the solution is not converted to foam of medium expansion, but goes out. We understand the reasons for the design flaws, but we will not consider them in this material.

The generators of Pozhneftehim for stationary systems and fire extinguishing systems considered in the following sections do not have fusible and combustible elements and other considered disadvantages.

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Low expansion foam generator

Pozhneftehim produces low expansion foam generators for stationary units and foam fire extinguishing systems. They are applied at the following facilities.

• High-pressure foam generators Shturm VPG and Vega low expansion foam chamber are designed to protect oil tanks with highly flammable and combustible liquids. The foam generator is intended to extinguish fires on the fuel surface of the tank. The Intarlayer foam nozzle together with the high-pressure foam generator are used in systems of subsurface fire suppression of the tank.

• The Antifire UVPN deluge sprinkler is produced to protect railcar racks, berthing complexes, hangars, warehouses and other facilities where hazardous substances are stored. The device has various modifications and is manufactured in accordance with design requirements of the system and technical characteristics specified in questionnaires.

The foam generators of low expansion (low expansion foam) of Shturm VPG, Vega KNP and Antifire UVPN are more resistant to the factors accompanying fire at industrial and production facilities (as compared with the outdated GPS and GPSS). They do not collapse when exposed to high temperatures during the response period of the system, resist to explosions and do not require manual direction to the high temperature zone.

A distinctive feature of the Antifire deluge sprinkler by Pozhneftehim is the modification with an oscillator. Thanks to the oscillating device, the irrigation area of the foam generator increases, which is especially important at facilities where drainage operations with highly flammable and combustible liquids are performed.

Request information on modifications of low expansion foam generators from our specialists by filling out the form on the site >>

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Medium expansion foam generator

Pozhneftehim produces medium expansion foam generators for stationary foam fire extinguishing units, as the efficiency of modern fire-fighting technologies with Aquafom foam concentrates can sometimes require thesofter gentle supply to the area (as compared to the low expansion foam).
The Turbopen universal foam generator has an increased range of foam supply, a large irrigation area and is used at hazardous production facilities in the petrochemical industry/ It is also effective in automatic fire extinguishing installations at industrial facilities of various branches.

The Turbopen medium expansion foam generator is produced in various modifications and can be equipped with an oscillator. The foam generator model with an oscillator allows to increase the efficiency of firefighting, which is especially important when it comes to fires in warehouses of paper, fabrics and other combustible substances and materials.

The foam generator produced by Pozhneftehim can be used in stationary fire extinguishing installations, as well as by firefighters (manual model and model on wheels). The Turbopen medium expansion foam generator is not an analogue of GPS-600. It differs in range, functionality, design, material and, therefore, in cost.

In medium expansion fire extinguishing units the correct choice of fire extinguishing technology, that is the foam generator and the type of foam concentrate is especially important. The effectiveness of the system as a whole and the level of fire protection of the facility depend on it. You can learn more about medium expansion foam fire extinguishing technologies and about modifications of Turbopen foam generator from our specialists by filling out the form on the website >>

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High expansion foam generator

Pozhneftehim produces high expansion foam generators for cubical fire extinguishing Favorit GVPE. These generators are designed for automatic fire extinguishing units of warehouse buildings, premises, as well as fire extinguishing systems of a number of hazardous production facilities (pumping stations of technological units, aircraft hangars, oil cellars of metallurgical enterprises).

The regulatory basis and the application area are discussed in the article “Vertical fire extinguishing and high expansion foam generators of Pozhneftehim”.

The Pozhneftehim high expansion foam generators have various modifications and are manufactured according to the technical parameters indicated in questionnaires. You can learn more about high expansion foam fire extinguishing from our specialists by filling out the form on the site >>

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Choosing foam concentrate compatible with foam generators

The foam fire extinguishing systems allow the use of synthetic and fluorosynthetic foam concentrates. The choice depends on the type of foam generator, fuel, water quality at the facility and many other parameters. Cost isn’t the least important factor.

It is economically feasible to use synthetic foam concentrates in cubical fire extinguishing systems. In fire extinguishing systems by area (surface of the oil product in the tank, loading rack, helideck, etc.), it is recommended to use foam concentrates for low expansion foam.

If the industrial facility has expensive equipment and it is crucial to minimize the risk of fire, you should not save on firefighting equipment and foam concentrates. Read about the principles of choosing foam concentrates for different foam generators in our article “Fire extinguishing installations and foam concentrates”.

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