Improvements in Chemical Fire Engines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Chemical Fire Engines.
We, JOSEPH ELTON BOTT, residing at Colwyn Bay, North Wales, Engineer,
and GEORGE HAMPSON MORRISON, of 6, Dalo Street, Liverpool, Merchant, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention consists of improvements in the construction of fire extinguishing
apparatus containing chemical solutions capable of producing carbonic acid gas
when required.
It is well known that the propulsive agent is generally an acid, such as sulphuric
acid, which is mechanically projected into the alkaline solution contained in the
cylinder or reservoir of the apparatus, whereby sufficient gaseous pressure is pro-
duced, to force the alkaline solution through a hose pipe to the seat of the fire,
where, the carbonic acid, being produced on contact with the burning material,
immediately extinguishes the fire.
One disadvantage of previous chemical fire extinguishers, is, that the pressure
produced by introducing an acid into an alkaline solution is limited by the quantity
of alkaline solution contained in the cylinders, so much so, that, the cylinders
require frequent refilling, during which operation, a fire may sometimes acquire
the mastery.
The object of our invention is to provide a practically continuous acting fire
extinguishing apparatus, and for this purpose we avail ourselves of the well known
fact, that, a heavily saturated alkaline solution, requires many times its normal
quantity of water, before it becomes inoperative, and, we, by dispensing with the
employment of acids for the production of pressure, can safely use a highly satur-
ated alkaline solution in the cylinders.
In order to carry our invention into effect, we use one or more cylinders of suitable
size, in which we place an excessively highly saturated alkaline solution, sufficient
to provide many cylinders full of normal alkaline solution, by successive additions
of water, each cylinder is also provided with suitable junction or connection,
whereby, (when available) hydrant water pressure can be admitted to the cylinders
for the purpose of producing an atmospheric pressure equal to that due to the head
of water in the mains.
In cases where hydrant pressure is available it is often quite sufficient to produce
a constant stream of alkaline solution, and project same on to the burning material
until the same is extinguished, but, where such hydrant pressure is not available,
we provide an intermediate cylinder, containing highly compressed air, or, (more
preferably,) liquified carbonic acid gas, such intermediate pressure cylinder being
suitably connected by a three-way valve to cylinders containing the alkaline solu-
tion, so that, by admitting such highly compressed air, or liquified carbonic acid
gas, we are enabled to project the alkaline solution through a much longer hose-
pipe, and to a much greater height, than is possible, where acids are used for the
purpose of producing pressure, as has hitherto been the case, each cylinder being
used alternately, the empty one being filled by hand or otherwise, whilst the full

page_text: one is being utilized for fire extinguishing purposes, and, in cases where hydrant
water pressure is available, the auxiliary compressed air, or liquified carbonic acid
gas, is available where it is necessary to project the alkaline fire extinguishing
solution to a great height, or where great pressure is required in order to enable
the firemen to penetrate such dense and dangerous burning material, as cotton,
etc., in dock warehouses.
D
001
1000
Improvements in Chemical Fire Engines.
We, JOSEPH ELTON BOTT, of Colwyn Bay, North Wales, Engineer,
and GEORGE HAMPSON MORRISON, of 6, Dale Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:
It is well known that the propulsive agent used in chemical fire engines is gener-
ally a gas, produced by the mechanical projection of an acid, such as sulphuric
acid, into an alkaline solution contained in a cylinder or reservoir of the apparatus,
whereby sufficient gaseous pressure is produced, to force the solution through a hose
pipe to the seat of the fire, where the gas (usually carbonic acid gas produced by
the reaction of the sulphuric acid upon the alkali) extinguishes the fire.
One disadvantage of previous chemical fire extinguishers, is, that the pressure
produced by introducing an acid into an alkaline solution is limited by the quan-
tity of alkaline solution contained in the cylinder, so much so, that the cylinders
require frequent refilling, during which operation a fire may sometimes acquire the
mastery.
The object of our invention is to provide a fire extinguishing apparatus which
shall, practically, act continuously, and for this purpose we avail ourselves of the
well known fact, that a heavily saturated alkaline solution-.e. a solution having
a considerable excess of alkali-requires many times its normal quantity of water,
before it becomes inoperative; and we, by employing such a solution in an engine,
and by dispensing with the employment of acids for the production of pressure, can
use such saturated solution, and to an extent sufficient to provide many cylinders
full of normal alkaline solution, by successive additions of water.
Each cylinder of the engine is provided with a suitable junction or connection,
whereby, when available, hydrant water pressure can be admitted to the cylinders by
connecting the hydrant with the cylinder for the purpose of producing a pressure
equal to that due to the head of water in the mains. In cases where the hydrant
pressure is available and sufficient, it is only necessary to produce a constant stream
of alkaline solution by means of this connection, and project same on to the burning
material until the fire is extinguished; but, where such hydrant pressure is not
available or sufficient, we provide on the engine an intermediate cylinder or cylin-
ders containing highly compressed air, or, preferably, liquified carbonic acid, or other
suitable gas, as the means of projecting the solution; such cylinder being suitably
connected say by a three-way valve to the cylinders containing the alkaline
solution; so that, by admitting such highly compressed air, or liquified carbonic
acid or other suitable gas, alternately to the cylinders, we are enabled to project the
alkaline solution in a continuous stream, and through a much longer and larger

page_text: hose-pipe, and to a much greater height, than is possible, where acids are used for
the purpose of producing pressure, as has hitherto been the case.
Each cylinder is used. alternately, the empty one being filled while the full one
is being utilized for fire extinguishing purposes; and, in cases where hydrant
water pressure is not sufficient, the auxiliary compressed air, or liquified carbonic
acid or other suitable gas, is used to project the alkaline fire extinguishing solution
to a great height, and also, to penetrate such dense and dangerous material, as
cotton, etc., in dock or other warehouses, etc., where great pressure is necessary to
do so.
example of a fire
In order to more fully illustrate or describe our invention, reference is had to the
drawings accompanying this Specification, in which is shewn an
engine constructed and adapted to operate in the manner above set forth.
In these drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of the fire engine,
Figure 2 is a cross section through A A Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a plan.
The engine given in the drawings is one in which two vessels are employed; and
these vessels are charged with alkaline solution; alternately filled with water; and
discharged by gas under pressure introduced into them from outside. In the
engine, are the two vessels, in the form of horizontal cylinders, in which the
charges of solution with excess of alkali are contained; and k is a cylinder con-
taining liquified carbonic acid, or compressed air, or other gas. These vessels
are supported on a tubular frame at either side, consisting of tubes b, carrying
girdle brackets 61, in the girdles of which the cylinders fit and rest. The frames,
with the brackets and tubes, are in the form of trusses or girders; and each frame
at the front is provided with a steering ball-head or socket j, and fork, the tips
of which carry a front steering wheel c; a suitable kind of wheel at this part, as
well as at the back, being one with solid rubber tyres and pneumatic or elastic
hubs. The stems of the forks j¹ are carried up through the ball heads, j, and
each is provided at its upper end with a lever i and these two levers are coupled
up together by a connecting rod or bar h, which is operated to and fro by a
hand actuated steering wheel g, and worm gearing, in any well known way.
In the example shewn, the frame 6 has attached to it, and carries below, a
casing f, which is intended to have installed in it a motor of any known suitable
kind; and to this casing the wheel axle of the rear road wheels d is supported.
At the back of the fire engine there is a platform s, which is carried from the
rear portion of the carriage frame, by the frame members r; and at the front (and
also at any parts which it may be deemed desirable), other seats for firemen, and
persons in charge of the engine, would be provided; while, again, in front of
this part, a reel n of fire-hose is carried, it being supported by the projecting
frame o from the fork-heads j; p being an arch connecting these two frames o
together at either side, and carrying an alarm bell q.
With regard to details of the cylinders a and k, and parts connected with them,
the cylinder is installed in a cradle t, and on the end of it there is provided a
three way cock 7, having conduits connecting it with the two cylinders a. On the
front and under side of a there are branches m, which are connected by, means of
a three way cock, with the fire hose on the reel n; and, on the opposite end of a,
there are branches w, through which the cylinders are supplied with water; man-
holes or similar doors for charging the cylinders with the alkaline salt; and
pressure gauges u for indicating the pressure in the cylinders.
To put the apparatus in a condition ready for use, the cylinders a are charged
with an alkaline salt, such for instance as bi-carbonate of soda (or any soluble
alkali suitable or equivalent for the purposes of the invention), through the doors v,
sufficient alkali being introduced to enable a quantity of water, many times
the normal quantity required to fill the vessels, to be passed into and through
them, before such original charge becomes inoperative. The dark hatched part
in Figure 2, represents the charge of alkali. The cylinder k is also charged: the
matter it is charged with being liquified carbonic acid, or air, or other gas under
high pressure. After the door v has been put on, and the cylinders closed, they

page_text: are filled with water through the branches w. The apparatus is then ready for
use.
The effect of the introduction of the water into the cylinders a is, that alkali
is dissolved, and the liquor becomes a normal alkaline solution, while the alkali
in excess becomes saturated and soft, and in a condition in which, after the first
charge or normal solution is discharged, further and fresh charges of water will
most readily and quickly dissolve; so that, in effect, in action, a continuous stream
of alkaline solution is afforded by the apparatus, the modes of charging and eject-
ing, and the materials or substances employed.
t.
When an alarm of fire is given, the firemen take their position on the seats and
platform, and the engine is propelled by the motor to the scene of the fire. On
the arrival, the hose is unwound off the reel n by a fireman (who will handle the
nozzle in the usual way of a water-engine), and connection is made between the
cylinder and one of the cylinders a by operating the tap 7 and opening it to that
cylinder; and the cock on the pipe or branch connecting the cylinders a with
the hose. is operated so as to open that cylinder to which carbonic acid or other
gas has been supplied, to the hose, keeping the other closed. When this is done,
the alkaline solution will be delivered in a solid stream in the same way as water
from the street level, or from any available position, and this liquor as it is pro-
jected onto the fire, is heated, and gives off gas, which, not being a supporter of
combustion, extinguishes the fire; the extinguishing, however, would be assisted
by the carbonic acid or other gas absorbed by the solution from that used as the
propellant, and carried up with the stream or jet.
Thus the method according to which this fire engine acts is, chiefly, that the
liquid projected into the fire from the engine is an alkaline solution-not a neutral
or partially neutralized liquor; it is delivered by pressure or force obtained or
generated from a source outside the solution containing vessels, and may be pro-
jected similarly to water in the case of an ordinary water fire engine; and from
it, a gas or gases, having fire extinguishing qualities, are produced or given off
upen its becoming heated by the heat of the fire it is desired to extinguish, and
upon which it is projected, and partly from the propelling gas itself.
When, in operation, one cylinder charge of alkaline solution is discharged, the
three way cocks or valves are reversed, and pressure by the liquid carbonic acid
or other gas is removed from one cylinder, and turned in to the other cylinder, and
the hose pipe is put in communication with this cylinder, the other being simul-
taneously cut off; and hence continuity of supply of solution by the engine is
effected. While this cylinder is being discharged, the emptied cylinder is being
refilled with water through its branch w, say from a hydrant or other source of
supply and, so on, by successive additions of water, alternately, to the two
cylinders, many cylinders full of normal alkaline solution may be provided by one
charging of the cylinders; and the alkali in excess in the vessels, being softened
and saturated with water or solution, is in a state in which, when successive addi-
tions of water are made, the fresh water quickly takes up some of the salt and
becomes a normal alkaline solution.
The pressure of gas in the cylinders is regulated by the attendant, and, accord-
ing to the height to which it is desired to deliver the solution, so will the pressure
within be regulated by the rate of supply from the cylinder k; and the exact
pressure at any moment within the cylinder, is indicated by the pressure gauge u.
In cases where the pressure at the hydrants, or other pressure service, is suffi-
cient to lift the liquid to the required height, for the purpose of fire extinguishing,
the use of a vessel for holding a fluid or gas for the production of pressure, and
lifting the solution, is not a necessity; nor is the double cylinder arrangement,
and alternating method of working of the engine, as set forth with reference to
the drawings; as, by connecting a hydrant or other pressure service with a junc-
tion as won the vessel upon the engine containing alkali, a constant stream of a
normal alkaline solution will be delivered from the engine.
As a modification of the apparatus shewn in the drawings, the parts can be

page_text: mounted on a tubular cycle frame of any suitable kind, on which the fire engine
is carried, and the wheels of which are adapted to be operated by gearing driven
by the firemen, so that the firemen can quickly propel the engine by their own
pedalling. Or, again, of course, the engine may be propelled or drawn by horses
in the usual way; the carriage being slightly modified by substituting, for the
steering wheels, the usual or any suitable kind of construction used in horse-
drawn engines or vehicles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. The herein described improvement in or connected with fire engines, namely,
the employment in an engine, of a vessel, and an alkaline salt and solution in
said vessel, as described, the said solution being discharged from the vessel, by
gas under pressure introduced from outside into the said vessel; or by water under
pressure introduced from a hydraulic supply service, and which also itself is caused
to dissolve the said salt, discharge from the engine, and carry with it the alkali
in solution; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In a fire extinguishing engine or apparatus, effecting the continuous supply
therefrom of an alkaline solution, by the employment of a vessel or vessels in
such engine, and of a quantity of soluble alkali salt therein, sufficient to provide
a normal solution with water, equal to several times the quantity of solution held
by said vessel or vessels, and by the employment in connection therewith of a
vessel or vessels containing a liquified gas, or gas under pressure, connected with
said vessel or vessels; or, by water under pressure, by the connection of said
vessel or vessels with a pressure water service; substantially as and for the pur-
poses set forth.
3. A fire engine comprising two or more vessels adapted to contain a soluble
salt, and water or solution; a second vessel or vessels on or connected with said
vessels containing a liquified gas, or gas under pressure, for forcing said solution;
water supply connections, and connections for discharge of solution, on said solu-
tion containing vessels; and valves or cocks on the connections between said solu-
tion containing and gas vessels, and on the inlet and discharge connections of the
solution vessels; whereby, by alternately discharging the solution from one, and
refilling the other with water, a practically constant stream of normal alkaline
solution can be delivered from the engine; substantially as described.
4. The fire engine comprising vessels a and k, adapted to operate, and arranged,
substantially as set forth with reference to the drawings.
1007
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
18, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicants' Agents.