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Argotec®
Liquid Argon Gas ExtinguishingTechnology (LAR)
Safe for certain.
GAS EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
INERT GAS EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
Argotec® liquid argon gas ex-tinguishing technology (LAR)stands for the successful trans-fer of tried-and-tested tech-nology to new dimensions.With the loss-free storage ofliquid argon at a temperatureof –143 °C, a pressure of 20 barand a storage quantity of 5 to50 t, liquid argon gas extin-guishing systems represent an
innovative technological mile-stone. In this new dimension,Argotec® liquid argon gasextinguishing technology fea-tures very high operationalavailability with the use of economically attractive sol-utions and therefore sets newstandards in environmentallysafe extinguishing technologywith inert gases.
Non-residue, clean and safeextinguishing of sensitive facil-ities or hazardous materials isthe special strength of inertgas fire extinguishing systems.Various extinguishing agentsand system technologies en-able customized solutions foralmost any application. For fire extinguishing solutionsrequiring high amounts ofextinguishing agent, there hasuntil now been no economicalternative to carbon dioxidestored in low-pressure tanks.Argotec® liquid argon tech-nology now enables the liquidcompact storage of the inertgas argon – fully without lossup until the time it is neededfor extinguishing. This loss-freestorage is the unprecedented
prerequisite for an alternativeto carbon dioxide low-pressureextinguishing systems and foreconomic operations.
Argotec® liquid argon tech-nology features:
Compact, space-saving ex-tinguishing agent storage:because liquid argon has adensity 850 times greaterthan that of gaseous argon.
Multiple discharge and dis-charge to maintain concen-tration with one tank filling:because ingenious time con-trol and system calculationsenable the effective use ofthe extinguishing agentsupply.
Extinguishing concepts forhigh-explosive fire risk areas:
because Argotec® liquidargon technology makes itpossible to store the quan-tities of extinguishing agentrequired for this purpose.
High variability due to flex-ible pipe installation: be-cause liquid argon requiresonly small pipe diameterseven for large dischargeareas.
System concepts for thesimultaneous protection ofseveral areas with one tank:because electro-pneumaticcontrol processes enablethe precise discharge intodifferent areas.
Economically attractive
NEW TECHNOLOGY – SNUFFED OUT COLD
Argotec® liquid argon gas extin-guishing systems feature specialadvantages in applications witha large extinguishing agentrequirement, for example
chemical, paint and otherstorage areas (hazardous
materials and deep-freezestorage)
Complex production facil-ities such as productionlines and rolling mills,hydraulic, painting andpowder-coating facilities
IT and telecommunicationsfacilities
Printing presses, gas tur-bines and compressors,engine test stands, etc.
ADVANTAGELOSS-FREE STORAGE – HIGH OPERATIONAL SAFETY
The special feature of Minimaxtechnology is the loss-free storage of liquid argon. Argon,which under normal conditionsis gaseous, also when stored in high-pressure steel cylinders, is liquefied at a pressure of 20 bar and a temperature of–143 °C and stored in a vacuum-insulated cryogenic vessel.Conventional argon liquid gasvessels are self-cooling due tothe vaporization of the argonduring removal. This process isunsuitable for fire extinguish-ing systems, however, sinceonly a vessel that is constantlyfilled ensures the availability of
the calculated quantity ofextinguishing agent.
Therefore, the Argotec® liquidargon vessel is connected to aspecial cooling machine, whichrecondenses the vaporizingargon in a closed circuit.
The optimized vessel insulationprovides for a low vaporizationrate and therefore for shortcooling intervals, high opera-tional safety in case of malfun-ctions and low operating costs.Electronic weighing cells contin-ually monitor the vessel weightand position transmitters moni-tor the correct operating statusof the valves.
System designThe Argotec® liquid argoncalculation program is theresult of many years of ex-perience and the analysis ofmany series of tests. It takesinto account all effects of thelow extinguishant tempera-tures on the system com-ponents and determines theextinguishant quantity, pipediameters, number of extin-guishing nozzles, pressurerelief vents, etc.
GAS EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
INERT GAS EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
Argotec® liquid argon supplyvessels are filled via a hoseconnection from a normalliquid gas tank truck. Gas sup-pliers deliver the liquid argonto nearly any location at anytime. Therefore, this technol-ogy is especially suitable for
protection concepts with veryhigh operational availabilityrequirements.
Argotec® liquid argon gasextinguishing systems requireminimum maintenance. Whenthey are needed to extinguish
a fire – often only after yearsof stand-by operation – theymust function one hundredpercent reliably.
Regular maintenance guarantees operational reliability.
Electric stop push button
Electric manually
push button release
Door release unit
Pneumatic horn
Electric horn
Room protection nozzle
Pressure relief
Fire detection element
Liquid argon supply vessel withweighing cell leakage monitor
Electro-pneumatic pilot valve
Safety valve with changeover valve
Main shut-off valve
Gate valve of pneumatic pilot pipe
Pneumatic control device
Electronic fire detection and control panel
Safety valve
Selector valve
Cooling machine with intake port
Flooding zone 1 (warehouse)
Flooding zone 2 (electric switch room)
Seit
enb
reit
e =
200
mm
Design of an Argotec® LiquidArgon Gas Extinguishing System
COMPLEX FIRE PROTECTION – HIGH AVAILABILITY
Argotec® liquid argon gas ex-tinguishing technology usesnatural argon gas taken fromthe atmosphere. Release ofthe gas is not harmful to theozone layer and does not con-tribute to the greenhouseeffect. There are no criticalvalues for argon, which is alsoused without restrictions inmany other industrial sectors.This means: The use of argonis future-proof and environ-mentally friendly.
In addition, argon is not elec-trically conductive, and it isodorless and colorless, heavierthan air and therefore theideal extinguishing gas for anumber of special risk areas,such as:
in electrical systems, where there is a risk ofshort circuits
for extinguishing lightmetal fires, which cannotbe put out with otherextinguishing agents
wherever other extin-guishants in combinationwith the burning materialwould result in toxic com-pounds or mixtures, there-fore requiring complexfacilities for protecting the environment
wherever carbon dioxidecannot be use for reasonsof personal safety.
The extinguishing gas argondisplaces only the material-specific oxygen necessary forcombustion. The remainingoxygen in an argon extin-guishing atmosphere, e.g. in a design for a wood or papersurface fire, is comparable tothe oxygen content in highmountain areas.
This means that there is nodanger to life even in theimmediate discharge area.
The argon in the Argotec®
liquid argon gas extinguishingsystem is transported to theextinguishing nozzles in liquidform at very low temperaturesand under pressure. Upon
release it becomes gaseous inform, thus withdrawing heatfrom the surrounding environ-ment. The arrangement of theextinguishing nozzles and thealarming and evacuation ofthe areas before dischargeguarantee safe operation foruse in occupied areas.
Seit
enb
reit
e =
200
mm
GAS EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
INERT GAS EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
INCREASED SAFETY FOR HUMAN BEINGS
ARGON – THE NATURAL EXTINGUISHANT
PB10
Ce_
01/0
9.04
/3/1
0.04
/PM
System LAR 6/26 LAR 11/26 LAR 16/26 LAR 21/26
Extinguishing quantity (kg) 5,700 10,600 15,100 19,700
Maximum protection volume (m3 closed-in space)* 8,100 9,400 14,100 17,500
Installation area (m2) 18 22 26 32
Total weight (t) 12,5 20,3 25,6 30,9
Connected load (kW) 9 9 9 9
Power consumption (kWh/a) 10,000 16,000 20,000 22,000
Rated operating pressure (bar) 20 20 20 20
Rated storage temperature (K / °C) 130 /–143 130 /–143 130 /–143 130 /–143
Maximum permissible ambient temperature (ºC) 0 to 45 0 to 45 0 to 45 0 to 45
Sound pressure of cooling machine (db[A]) 68 68 68 68
Explanation of the loss-free storage of argonThe liquid argon � is stored inthe storage vessel � at an
operating pressure of 20 barand a temperature of –143 °C.The vaporized argon � in the vessel is recondensed in a
closed circuit with a specialcooling machine �. A pres-sure-dependent control unitregulates the cooling.
Subject to technical alterations* Designed for 41.8 Vol. % extinguishant concentration,
max. 80 % emptying of vessel, structurally optimized space enclosure
Minimax GmbH & Co. KGIndustriestrasse 10/12 23840 Bad OldesloeGermanyPhone: +49 (0) 45 31 8 03-0 Fax: +49 (0) 45 31 8 03-2 48E-mail: [email protected]
Nr.
S 89
201
ARGOTEC® LIQUID ARGON GAS EXTINGUISHING TECHNOLOGY (LAR)
