NEW OR IMPROVED MEANS OR CHEMICAL COMPOSITION FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Carl Grüneberg, of the City of London, for the Invention
of "NEW OR IMPROVED MEANS OR CHEMICAL COMPOSITION FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRE." A communication from abroad by Ernst Schönrock, of Brussels,
Belgium
Sealed the 30th April 1877, and dated the 16th October 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Carl Grüneberg at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th October 1876.
CARL GRÜNEBERG, of the City of London. "NEW OR IMPROVED MEANS OR
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE." (A communication from abroad
by Ernst Schönrock, of Brussels, Belgium.)
The object of this Invention is to afford a sure and ready means for extinguishing
fire by the development of suitable fire quenching gases, all as herein-after
described.
The composition consists of certain chemical ingredients mixed in or about the
following proportions, viz. :—
20 parts of chlorate of potassa.
10
"
50
50
1
وو
ور
"
colophonium.
nitrate of potassa.
sulphur.
manganbisoxyde.
These ingredients are well blended moistened, with a solution of natrum silicicum,
and compressed by hydraulic pressure to a solid consistency; the moisture of the
solution having dried up, it has the hardness and consistency of a stone. The coin-
position is enclosed in a fire and waterproof box or envelope; cardboard chemically
prepared with natrum wolframicum and a solution of natrum silicicum has been
found sufficiently fire and waterproof for the purpose. When required for use a
fuse which passes into the composition from without is ignited, and the following
gases are then produced or evolved, viz., sulphurous acid and carbonic acid.
A small residue will be left consisting mainly of sulphate of potassa (K. S), caustic
potassa (KO+ HO), caustic natron (NO + HO), and chloride of sodium (N CI).
The aforesaid gases fill the whole of the space wherein they are allowed to penetrate
and extinguish all fire existing there, commingling with the atmospheric air, out of
which the sulphorous acid seeks to extract the oxygen in order to become sulphuric
I Price Adl

page_text: acid (SO); it follows that every other oxydation process (and every flaming com-
bustion may be considered as such) is impossible in every space filled with the
Baid gases.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE." (A communication from abroad
by Ernst Schönrock, of Brussels, Belgium.)
The object of this Invention is to afford a sure and ready means for extinguishing
fire by the development of suitable fire quenching gases, all as herein-after
described.
The composition consists of certain chemical ingredients mixed in or about the
following proportions, viz. :-
20 parts of chlorate of potash.
10
50
ور
"
50
"
colophony.
nitrate of potash.
sulphur.
1 part of manganbisoxyde.
These ingredients are well blended, moistened with a solution of natrum silicicum,
and compressed by hydraulic pressure to a solid consistency; the moisture of the
solution having dried up, it has the hardness and consistency of a stone. The com-
position is enclosed in a fire and waterproof box or envelope; cardboard chemically
prepared with natrum wolframicum and a solution of natrum silicicum has been
found sufficiently fire and waterproof for the purpose. When required for use a fuse
which passes into the composition from without is ignited and the composition
thereupon takes fire, the following gases are then produced or evolved, viz.,
sulphurous acid and carbonic acid. A small residue will be left, consisting mainly
of sulphate of potash (K S), caustic potash (KO + HO), caustic natron (NO + HO),
and chloride of sodium (N Cl). The aforesaid gases fill the whole of the space
wherein they are allowed to penetrate and extinguish all fire existing there, com-
mingling with the atmospheric air, out of which the sulphurous acid seeks to extract
the oxygen in order to become sulphuric acid (S05); it follows that every other
oxydation process (and every combustion may be considered as such) is impossible
in every space filled with the said gases.
An appliance constructed as aforesaid is always ready for use, because the com-
position is hard and protected against deterioration by the box or envelope, and
is safe in action because not depending upon self-ignition. When required for use
ignite the fuse and throw the appliance into the space or place where required, and
when the composition thereupon becomes ignited fire extinguishing fumes and gases
will be immediately evolved; it is self-evident that such appliances in certain cases
when brought in actual contact with or close proximity to the fire in any place or
space will become self-igniting in that sense.
I am aware that it has heretofore been proposed to effect a mixture of various
substances contained in separate vessels by means of apparatus brought auto-
matically into action, when the place wherein it is contained obtains a certain
elevation of temperature, carbonic acid gas being thereby evolved which is intended
to extinguish fire; I am also aware that it has heretofore been proposed to form
carbonaceous mixtures into blocks coated more or less with matter which at a
certain elevation of temperature becomes automatically ignited, thereby causing
such blocks to become ignited and to evolve carbonic acid and other gases also
intended to extinguish fire; but what I claim as the herein-before described Inven-
tion is, the commingling of the chemical ingredients described in or about the

page_text: proportions set forth, combining them into blocks or pieces by hydraulic or other
equivalent pressure, so as when dry to be of a hardness and consistency of stone,
such blocks or pieces being enclosed in protecting boxes or envelopes, and fitted with
ignition fuses, which when ingited cause the said blocks or pieces to take fire and
evolve sulphuric acid and carbonic acid gases and fumes for the extinction of
fire, all substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Carl Grüneberg, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this 16th (Sixteenth) day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
CARL GRUNEBERG. (L.s.)