Petrolite Corporation

Richard E Mertz

Kenneth J Lissant

Thomas J Falkler

This invention relates to high internal phase ratio emulsions of colorant-containing fire suppressant concentrates which are non-settling and non-abrasive to high pressure, close tolerance pumps. These non-settling, non-abrasive concentrates can be prepared, stored, and diluted with water for use in both aerial and ground fire fighting.

Fire suppressing concentrates

A system for the continuous production of thixotropic high internal phase ratio emulsions. The system includes supply means providing individual streams of an inverter phase (an emulsifier and external phase), and an immiscible internal phase. These streams are precisely regulated as to a preselected ratio by flow rate controllers which regulate the flow responsively to pressure changes in the supply means. The internal and inverter phases are received at a selected rate and composition within a mixing means which produces the loss distribution stepwise of the internal phase progressively in amounts into the inverter phase, thereby forming a composition with the desired ratio of the internal phase, emulsifier, and external phase of the desired emulsion. A pumping means moves this composition at the selected rate to an outlet means for passing the resultant emulsion to a subsequent utilization. The pumping means also provides continuous shear sufficient to reduce the effective viscosity of the composition near to that of the inverter phase, but below the inherent shear stability point of the desired emulsion. The pumping means retains only a minor fraction of the emulsion relative to the volumetric capacity of composition movement.

System for producing emulsions

A system for the continuous production of thixotropic high internal phase ratio emulsions. The system includes supply means providing individual streams of an inverter phase (an emulsifier and external phase), and an immiscible internal phase. These streams are precisely regulated as to a preselected ratio by flow rate controllers which regulate the flow responsively to pressure changes in the supply means. The internal and inverter phases are received at a selected rate and composition within a mixing means which produces the loose comingling of the internal and inverter phases, thereby forming a composition with the desired ratio of the internal phase, emulsifier, and external phase of the desired emulsion. A pumping means moves this composition at the selected rate to an outlet means for passing the resultant emulsion to a subsequent utilization. The pumping means also provides continuous shear sufficient to reduce the effective viscosity of the composition near to that of the inverter phase, but below the inherent shear stability point of the desired emulsion. The pumping means retains only a minor fraction of the emulsion relative to the volumetric capacity of composition movement.

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St. Louis, MO, United States of America

Richard E Mertz