EP-4735124-A2 - METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR FIRE-FIGHTING

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for, among other things, mixtures of cellulosic fiber (e.g., nanocellulosic fiber) and water, which can provide an enhanced firefighting and/or fire-prevention tool and methods for their use.

Inventors

• ANDERSON, JAMES M.
• BEAUPRÉ, James John

Assignees

• University of Maine System Board of Trustees

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240628

Claims (20)

1. Claims We claim: 1. A method of reducing or extinguishing a fire comprising applying a composition comprising a mixture of between approximately 0.5- 5% cellulosic fiber and water to one or more objects on fire and/or one or more objects at risk of igniting, wherein at least 20% of the cellulosic fiber are nanocellulose fines.
2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellulosic fiber comprises at least 50% nanocellulose fines.
3. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellulosic fiber comprises at least 75% nanocellulose fines.
4. 4. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the mixture essentially consists of cellulosic fiber and water.
5. 5. The method of any one of the above claims, wherein applying the composition results in formation of a fire resistant coating on at least one treated surface of the one or more objects.
6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the fire resistant coating delays ignition or reignition of an object for at least 5 minutes as compared to an untreated version of the object.
7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the fire resistant coating delays ignition or reignition of an object for at least 10 minutes.
8. 8. The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the cellulosic fiber is or comprises wood fiber.
9. 9. The method of any one of the above claims, wherein the mixing the cellulosic fiber and water results in an increase in the proportion of bound water as compared to water alone. Page 13 of 16 12057948v1
10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the increase in the proportion of bound water is at least 10%.
11. 11. The method of any one of the above claims, wherein applying the composition results in formation of a foam about 3 times to about 5 times a volume of the composition (prior to its application).
12. 12. The method of any one of claims 1-10, wherein applying the composition results in formation of a foam about 20 times to about 200 times a volume of the composition (prior to its application).
13. 13. The method of any one of the above claims, wherein the water has a conductivity of about 5 μS / cm or lower as measured at 25°C.
14. 14. The method of any one of the above claims, wherein the water has a resistivity of about 0.2 MΩ–cm or higher as measured at 25°C.
15. 15. A composition comprising approximately 0.1-5% cellulosic fiber and water, wherein at least 20% of the cellulosic fiber are nanocellulose fines.
16. 16. The composition of claim 15, wherein the cellulosic fiber comprises at least 50% nanocellulose fines.
17. 17. The composition of claim 15, wherein the cellulosic fiber comprises at least 75% nanocellulose fines.
18. 18. The composition of any one of claims 15-17, wherein the composition is capable of forming a fire resistant coating on a treated surface.
19. 19. The composition of claim 18, wherein the fire resistant coating delays ignition or reignition of an object for at least 5 minutes as compared to an untreated version of the object. Page 14 of 16 12057948v1
20. 20. The composition of claim 18, wherein the fire resistant coating delays ignition or reignition of an object for at least 10 minutes as compared to an untreated version of the object.

Description

Attorney Docket No.: 2010363-0395 METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR FIRE-FIGHTING Cross-Reference to Related Applications [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Serial No.63/523,985 filed on June 29, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Background [0002] Traditional firefighting techniques often make use of chemical additives to improve the ability of the agent to extinguish the fire and prevent reignition. [0003] There is a need for enhanced firefighting materials that are effective, easily available and environmentally friendly as many current alternatives, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) containing substances, are known to have detrimental human health and environmental effects. Summary [0004] Among other things, the present disclosure encompasses the surprising recognition that a mixture of cellulosic fiber and water provides a surprisingly enhanced firefighting and/or fire prevention tool. Previous technologies, including hydrogels, have proven unsatisfactory for widespread use in fighting and/or preventing fires for a variety of reasons including environmental effects, cost, and difficulty in use. [0005] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides compositions comprising between approximately 0.1-5% cellulosic fiber and water. In some embodiments, at least 20% of the cellulosic fiber are nanocellulose fines. In some embodiments, the composition is capable of forming a fire resistant coating on a treated surface of one or more objects on fire or at risk of igniting. [0006] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of reducing or extinguishing a fire including the step of applying a composition comprising a mixture of Page 1 of 16 12057948v1 between approximately 0.5-5% cellulosic fiber and water to one of more objects on fire and/or one or more objects at risk of igniting. In some embodiments, at least 20% of the cellulosic fiber are nanocellulose fines. In some embodiments, applying the composition to one or more objects on fire or at risk of igniting results in quickly extinguishing flames and prevents re-ignition due to the adhesion of the gel like formulation to the flammable material. In some embodiments, applying the composition to one or more objects on fire or at risk of igniting results in formation of a fire resistant coating on at least one treated surface of the one or more objects. [0007] In some embodiments, cellulosic fiber comprises at least 50% nanocellulose fines. In some embodiments, cellulosic fiber comprises at least 75% nanocellulose fines. [0008] In some embodiments, a mixture essentially consists of cellulosic fiber and water. In some embodiments, cellulosic fiber is or comprises wood fiber. [0009] In some embodiments, provided mixtures do not comprise silica (e.g., colloidal silica). [0010] In some embodiments, the fire resistant coating delays ignition or reignition of an object for at least 5 minutes as compared to an untreated version of the object. [0011] In some embodiments, the fire resistant coating delays ignition or reignition of an object for at least 10 minutes. [0012] In some embodiments, the cellulosic fiber is or comprises wood fiber. [0013] In some embodiments, the mixing the cellulosic fiber and water results in an increase in the proportion of bound water as compared to water alone. [0014] In some embodiments, the increase in the proportion of bound water is at least 10%. [0015] In some embodiments, applying the composition results in formation of a foam about 3 times to about 5 times a volume of the composition (prior to its application). [0016] In some embodiments, applying the composition results in formation of a foam about 20 times to about 200 times a volume of the composition (prior to its application). [0017] In some embodiments, the water has a conductivity of about 5 μS / cm or lower as measured at 25°C. [0018] In some embodiments, the water has a resistivity of about 0.2 MΩ–cm or higher as measured at 25°C. Page 2 of 16 12057948v1 [0019] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides compositions comprising approximately 0.1-5% cellulosic fiber and water, wherein at least 20% of the cellulosic fiber are nanocellulose fines. [0020] In some embodiments, cellulosic fiber comprises at least 50% nanocellulose fines. In some embodiments, the cellulosic fiber comprises at least 75% nanocellulose fines. [0021] In some embodiments, the composition is capable of forming a fire resistant coating on a treated surface. In some embodiments, the fire resistant coating delays ignition or reignition of an object for at least 5 minutes as compared to an untreated version of the object. In some embodiments, the fire resistant coating delays ignition or reignition of an object for at least 10 minutes as compared to an untreated version of the object. [0022] In some embodiments, the water has a conductivity of about 5 μS / cm or lower as measured at 25°C. [002