Patent Description:
Fire is a threat to life, wild life, property, and natural, suburban, and urban landscapes worldwide. In suburban, urban, and industrial areas, fire can result in billions of dollars in damage from loss of lives, property, equipment, and infrastructure. Fire is a rapid oxidation of material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Fire and its constructs are often described by the 'Fire Tetrahedron', which defines heat, oxygen, fuel, and a resultant chain reaction as the four constructs required to produce fire; removing any one will prevent fire from occurring.

Water is the material of choice to extinguish most fires or to prevent combustible objects from burning. Water predominantly is supplied from a network of pipes or, in the case of a forest fire, for example, from natural waters. In fire-fighting, water contacts burning objects which results in sufficient cooling such that the burning objects fall below their combustion or ignition temperature, and new ignition is precluded. In addition, when water contacts hot objects, the water vaporizes to produce steam, which expands and expels the air necessary for combustion. When a fire is extinguished by spraying water on the fire, less than <NUM>% w/w of the sprayed water is effective because of water loss, such as by run-off or evaporation. This is particularly disadvantageous in the case of forest fires and wildfires because a considerable portion of the water often is transported a long distance at a great expense, and then is wasted.

To overcome water's limitations as a fire-fighting resource, additives have been developed to enhance water's capacity to extinguish fires. Some of these additives include water-swellable polymers, such as cross-linked acrylic or acrylamide polymers, that can absorb water many times of their weight, forming gel-like particles swollen with absorbed water. Once dispersed in water, these water-logged particles can be sprayed directly onto a fire, reducing the amount of time and water necessary for fighting fires, as well as the amount of water run-off.

Other additives include acrylic acid copolymers cross-linked with polyether derivatives, which are used to impart thixotropic properties on water. Such thixotropic mixtures become thin under shear forces, allowing them to be sprayed from hoses onto burning structures or land; once those shear forces are removed, the mixture thickens, allowing it to cling to, and coat surfaces, extinguish flames, and prevent fire from spreading, or the structure from reigniting.

These additives capable of swelling in water are generally referred as superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) available in a variety of chemical forms, including substituted and unsubstituted natural and synthetic polymers, such as hydrolysis products of starch acrylonitrile graft polymers, carboxymethylcellulose, crosslinked polyacrylates, crosslinked and partially neutralized copolymers of isobutylene and maleic anhydride, saponification products of vinyl acetate-acrylic acid copolymer, sulfonated polystyrenes, hydrolyzed polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohols, polyethylene oxides, polyvinylpyrrolidones, and polyacrylonitriles.

The SAPs are added to the water as an additive for fire-fighting purpose. The SAPs are highly absorptive and can absorb in a short time about <NUM> to <NUM>-fold of their weight of water without, however, being dissolved in water.

Despite of its excellent fire suppressing property, the major drawback associated while using SAP is the difficulty of mixing it with water. When SAP is added to water as an additive, it forms lumps due to instant agglomeration of superabsorbent polymers in water. The inherent property of superabsorbent polymers necessarily requires few seconds to several minutes to swell before they become capable of holding water and act as fire-fighting mixture. This swelling of superabsorbent polymers as they come in contact with the water prevents formation of uniform dispersion and superabsorbent polymers aggregate together to form lumps. Once lumps are formed, it becomes extremely difficult to disperse these polymers to obtain uniform dispersion.

Attempts have been made in past to obtain uniform dispersion of superabsorbent polymers to obtain water appropriate for fire suppression.

<CIT> discloses a method for applying water-laden polymer particles to a surface to prevent and/or extinguish a fire. The method involved a dispersion comprising a water-swellable polymer, vegetable oil and surfactant or stabilizing agent as an additive. The drawback with such dispersion is that the oil component may facilitate re-ignition of objects after the water is evaporated.

<CIT> describes using an aqueous system comprising dry absorbent polymers to extinguish and/or prevent fires. The dry, solid polymer particles are encased by a water-soluble release agent to prevent agglutination of the particles. Diammonium biphosphate is used as the release agent that protects the gelatinizing agent from becoming sticky upon the penetration of water and thus from agglutinating. When using the release agent according to the invention, the dispersing of the gelatinizing substance takes place without any problem. The drawback of such system is that degradation profile of diammonium biphosphate may release noxious gases which might be harmful to people as well as the surroundings.

<CIT> and <CIT> discloses water additive composition containing a cross-linked, water-swellable polymer additive in a water/oil emulsion produced by an inverse phase polymerization reaction to be added to the firefighting water. Although, the polymer is a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylic acid derivatives but the cross-linking chemicals used during inverse phase polymerization may be either unsuitable for environment or substantially non-degradable or insufficiently degradable, particularly at ambient conditions.

Another concern while using additives to prepare enhanced water mixture for fire suppression purpose is the right viscosity. Generally, the viscosity of fire-fighting mixtures after adding the superabsorbent polymers is kept slightly higher than the viscosity of pure water. The right viscosity is important in order that the water for fire-fighting remains easy to handle, in particular fully pumpable. The swelling nature of the polymers promotes particle agglomeration and subsequent blockage of the nozzle or even pipes pumping out the fire-fighting mixture.

Therefore, while preparing SAP based water mixtures appropriate for fire suppression, additional substances are being added to obtain right viscosity of the enhanced water mixture. Not too low viscosity like water otherwise, enhanced water mixture will have same run-off as water and won't be available to suppress the fire. Not too high viscosity otherwise, it will face handling problem like chocking and blockade of fire-fighting equipment like hose, eductor, nozzle etc..

The addition of substances along with superabsorbent polymers which increase the viscosity of water have been described in the prior art. These include cellulose derivatives, alginates or water-soluble synthetic polymers. Use has also been made of non-flammable mineral additives to the extinguishing water, e.g. water-soluble inorganic salts or water-insoluble materials such as bentonite or attapulgite. Disadvantages associated with use of such substances include the high weight percentages of mineral additives generally required in order to achieve a sufficiently high level of thickening (e.g. <NUM> to <NUM>% w/w by weight); the corrosive action of certain salts such as sulfates or chlorides; and the possibility of undesired environmental influences, such as on fertilizing agents.

The effective use of a superabsorbent polymer for fire suppression requires the use of a polymer having high water absorptivity. However, high water absorptivity leads to the resulting composition having very low viscosity, which tends to spread out very quickly, presenting disadvantages to the composition during the actual fire-fighting operation.

Apart from achieving accurate viscosity, the fire-retardant compositions based on superabsorbent polymers should be able to withstand microbial degradation as the fire-retardant compositions are prone to deteriorate when stored as well as when mixed with water during preparation of some water-based formulations and also during application.

Thus, there is a need in the art for an effective fire-retardant composition which utilizes a superabsorbent polymer having higher water absorptivity, yet which does not suffer from the extremely low viscosity of the resulting composition, is able to withstand microbial degradation upon storage and is environment friendly.

<CIT> describes a method for applying a water-laden polymer to a surface to prevent and/or extinguish a fire. The method involves dispersing a dry, ground, superabsorbent polymer comprising particles of <NUM> microns or less in diameter in water in an amount sufficient to form a coherent polymer gel, and directing the coherent polymer gel onto a surface to prevent and/or extinguish a fire.

<CIT> describes fire extinguishing and/or fire-retardant compositions containing at least one water-absorbing polymer and at least one alkaline salt of a non-polymeric saturated carboxylic acid. <CIT> also describes a method for the production of these compositions and the use of these compositions for fighting fires or as fire-retardant coatings.

<CIT> describes fire retardant compositions comprising clay and starch and their use in protecting structures and objects from fire and/or excessive heat.

<CIT> describes fire extinguishing compositions and formulations comprising colorants. The colorants and colorant formulations provide visibility from a distance when the fire extinguishing composition is discharged, and the colorants progressively fade so as to mitigate environmental impact. Methods of producing these fire extinguishing compositions and formulations are also described.

<CIT> describes a fire-extinguishing and/or fire-inhibiting composition based on polymers capable of swelling. In order to bind fumes containing fluorine and/or phosphorous, for example in the event of fires of lithium-ion batteries, the composition includes at least one alkaline-earth carboxylate, in particular calcium carboxylate, of one or more carboxylic acids.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a fire-retardant composition appropriate for fire suppression.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a biodegradable fire-retardant composition appropriate for fire suppression.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a fire-retardant composition comprising superabsorbent polymers with greater water absorption capacity.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a fire-retardant composition able to withstand microbial degradation when stored.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a fire-retardant composition capable of spraying onto structures to control urban and wildlife fires.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a fire-retardant composition capable of coating onto structures and objects to protect them from urban and wildlife fires.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a process of preparing fire-retardant composition appropriate for fire suppression at the point-of-use.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a method of applying fire-retardant composition to suppress and extinguish fire according to the invention.

The present invention provides a fire-retardant composition consisting of a fire-retardant premix and water, wherein the fire-retardant premix comprises:.

The present invention also provides a process of preparing the fire-retardant composition disclosed herein wherein said process comprises mixing said superabsorbent polymer, viscosity control agent and the antimicrobial agent simultaneously, sequentially or separately to obtain said fire-retardant premix; and
mixing the fire-retardant premix with water to obtain the fire-retardant composition.

The present invention also provides a method of preventing or extinguishing fire wherein said method comprises directing the fire-retardant composition disclosed herein to a surface to prevent or extinguish fire.

Also described herein, but not recited in the appended claims, are the following.

wherein said composition when added to water creates enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

wherein said composition when added to water creates enhanced water mixture of viscosity ranging from <NUM>-<NUM> cps appropriate for fire suppression.

A process of preparing fire-retardant composition comprising.

wherein said process comprises mixing said superabsorbent polymer, viscosity control agent and an antimicrobial agent simultaneously, sequentially or separately to obtain fire-retardant composition.

wherein said process comprises mixing said superabsorbent polymer, viscosity control agent and an antimicrobial agent and wherein said composition when added to water simultaneously, sequentially or separately creates enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

Use of fire-retardant composition for preventing or extinguishing fire wherein said composition comprises a superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight; a viscosity control agent; and an antimicrobial agent.

A method of preventing or extinguishing fire, said method comprising mixing the composition comprising: a starch based superabsorbent polymer; a viscosity control agent; and an antimicrobial agent;
with water to create enhanced water mixture of viscosity ranging from <NUM>-<NUM> cps; and directing it to a surface to prevent and/or extinguish fire.

A kit of fire-retardant composition comprising superabsorbent polymers, viscosity control agent and an antimicrobial agent; wherein kit is added to water to create enhanced water mixture at the point-of-use appropriate for fire suppression.

Surprisingly, inventors of the present invention found that a fire-retardant composition appropriate for fire suppression can be obtained by mixing starch based superabsorbent polymers and a viscosity control agent. The viscosity control agent prevents agglomeration of superabsorbent polymers when mixed with water. Inventors of the present invention carefully arrived at a suitable ratio of superabsorbent polymer and the viscosity control agent to obtain desired viscosity range from <NUM>-<NUM> cps appropriate for fire suppression. Below <NUM> cps, water-additive mixture behaves like water and not found effective in suppressing the fire. Above <NUM> cps, water-additive mixture become too thick as it cannot be pumped through fire hoses/pipes and also choke the educator nozzle. The addition of viscosity control agent to water-superabsorbent polymer mixture overcomes agglomeration of superabsorbent polymers when added to water and facilitate uniform dispersion of SAP in water appropriate for fire suppression within desired viscosity range. The viscosity control agent not only prevented agglomeration of starch-based SAP, but also surprisingly increased the stability of the water-superabsorbent polymer mixture.

Within the context of this specification, the terms "superabsorbent polymer" or "SAP" or "polymer gel" refer to water swellable polymers that can absorb water many times their weight in an aqueous solution. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the term superabsorbent polymers also apply to polymers that absorb water as well as de-sorb the absorbed water. Superabsorbent polymers may be selected from but not limited to water-swellable or water absorbing or water-retentive polymers such as cross-linked polymers that swell without dissolving in the presence of water, and may, absorb at least <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or more times their weight in water.

Within the context of this specification, the term "viscosity control agent" refers to a substance that aids in dispersion of superabsorbent polymers in water and provide desired viscosity to an enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression. The viscosity control agent lowers down the opposite forces between superabsorbent polymers and water and facilitate quicker dispersion of superabsorbent polymers in water. At the same time, the additive forces between superabsorbent polymers and viscosity control agent help achieving desired viscosity.

Within the context of this specification, the term "fire-retardant pre-mix" refers to a composition obtained by mixing superabsorbent polymer, viscosity control agent and antimicrobial agent which is meant to be added to water to form fire-retardant composition appropriate for fire-suppression.

Within the context of this specification, the term "antimicrobial agent" refers to chemical compositions that are used to prevent microbiological contamination and deterioration of fire-retardant composition when stored in the form of fire-retardant pre-mix, when prepared as water-based formulations as well as when diluted with water while application. At a desired concentration, antimicrobial agents act as bacteriostatic, fungistatic, algistatic, sporostatic, bactericidal, fungicidal, algicidal, and sporicidal for fire-retardant composition.

Within the context of this specification, the term "enhanced water mixture" refers to a composition obtained by mixing superabsorbent polymer, viscosity control agent and antimicrobial agent in water to form fire-retardant composition appropriate for fire-suppression.

Within the context of this specification, the terms protectant and preventive are used interchangeably and refers to a coating application wherein superabsorbent polymer composition is applied onto objects or surfaces prone to catch fire.

The present invention relates to a fire-retardant composition comprising superabsorbent polymers; said composition when added to water creates enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

The fire-retardant composition comprises a superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight; a viscosity control agent; and an antimicrobial agent wherein said composition when added to water creates an enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

The fire-retardant composition of the invention consists of a fire-retardant premix and water. The fire-retardant premix comprises from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w of a starch-based superabsorbent polymer selected from starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) potassium salt, starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) sodium salt, starch-g-poly (propenoic acid) sodium salt, and starch-g-poly (propenoic acid) potassium salt.

In general, a superabsorbent polymer may be selected from, but not limited to, copolymer of acrylamide and sodium acrylate, copolymer of acrylamide and potassium acrylate; hydrolyzed starch-polyacrylonitrile; <NUM>-propenenitrile homopolymer, hydrolyzed, sodium salt or poly(acrylamide co-sodium acrylate) or poly(<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propanoic acid, sodium salt); starch-g-poly(2propenamide-co-<NUM>-propanoic acid, mixed sodium and aluminium salts); starch-g-poly(<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propanoic acid, potassium salt); poly(<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propanoic acid, sodium salt); Starch-g-poly (propenoic acid) sodium salt, Starch-g-poly (propenoic acid) potassium salt, poly-<NUM>-propanoic acid, sodium salt; starch-g-poly(acrylonitrile) or poly(<NUM>-propenamide-co-sodium acrylate); starch/acrylonitrile copolymer; crosslinked copolymers of acrylamide and sodium acrylate; crosslinked polymers of acrylamide and sodium polyacrylate; anionic polyacrylamide; starch grafted sodium polyacrylates; acrylic acid polymers, sodium salt; crosslinked copolymers of potassium polyacrylate and polyacrylamide; sodium polyacrylate; superabsorbent polymer laminates and composites; partial sodium salt of crosslinked polypropenoic acid; potassium polyacrylate, lightly crosslinked; sodium polyacrylate, lightly crosslinked; sodium polyacrylates; poly(sodiumacrylate) homopolymer; polyacrylamide polymers, carrageenan, agar, alginic acid, guar gums and its derivatives, and gellan gum; specific superabsorbent polymers include crosslinked copolymer of acrylamide and potassium acrylate.

Superabsorbent polymers can be selected from starch-based superabsorbent polymer that includes a monomer graft polymerized onto a starch in the presence of an initiator to form a starch graft copolymer.

Superabsorbent polymers can be selected from group comprising of copolymers of hydrolyzed starch-polyacrylonitrile; <NUM>-propenenitrile homopolymer, hydrolyzed, sodium salt or poly(acrylamide co-sodium acrylate) or poly(<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propanoic acid, sodium salt); starch-g-poly(2propenamide-co-<NUM>-propanoic acid, mixed sodium and aluminium salts); starch-g-poly(<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propanoic acid, potassium salt); poly(<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propanoic acid, sodium salt); poly-<NUM>-propanoic acid, sodium salt; starch-g-poly(acrylonitrile) or poly(<NUM>-propenamide-co-sodium acrylate);
Superabsorbent polymers capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight can be selected from the group comprising of is starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) potassium salt, starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) sodium salt, starch-g-poly (propenoic acid) sodium salt, starch-g-poly (propenoic acid) potassium salt, sodium polyacrylamide and potassium polyacrylamide.

A Superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight is starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) potassium salt or crosslinked polyacrylic acid potassium salt.

The superabsorbent polymers for fire-retardant composition may have a particle size that is finer than <NUM> mesh.

Particle size of the superabsorbent polymers capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight may be in the range from about <NUM> to about <NUM> (equivalent to <NUM>-<NUM> mesh). The smaller particles allow for a shorter swell time which, in turn, allows for the particles to complete the swell during the time the fire-retardant composition is applied for the purpose of fire-fighting.

The particle size of the superabsorbent polymers capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight is preferably in the range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight comprises from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w and preferably from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w of the total weight of the fire-retardant premix.

Preferably, superabsorbent polymers capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight comprises from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w of superabsorbent polymer of total weight of the composition.

Superabsorbent polymers capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight may have the water absorption capacity from about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times its weight.

Preferably, superabsorbent polymers capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight has the water absorption capacity from about <NUM> times to about <NUM> times its weight.

Superabsorbent polymers may be in the form of powder and granules.

Superabsorbent polymers may be in the form of powder.

Superabsorbent polymers of the fire-retardant composition may be biodegradable.

Starch based superabsorbent polymers of the fire-retardant composition may be biodegradable.

According to the present invention, the fire-retardant composition comprises of a viscosity control agent.

The viscosity control agent is a water-insoluble inorganic powder selected from amorphous silica, silicon dioxide, silicic acid, silicates, titanium dioxide, aluminium oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, talc, calcium phosphate, clays, diatomataceous earth, zeolites, bentonite, kaolin, hydrotalcite, activated clays, etc. The insoluble inorganic powder viscosity control agents may be a single compound or a mixture of compounds selected from the above list.

In a preferred embodiment, the viscosity control agent as insoluble inorganic powder is amorphous silica in the form of precipitated silica or fumed silica.

In a preferred embodiment, the viscosity control agent as insoluble inorganic powder is precipitated silica.

In a preferred embodiment, the viscosity control agent as insoluble inorganic powder is fumed silica.

In a preferred embodiment, the viscosity control agent as insoluble inorganic powder is zeolite. According to an embodiment, the viscosity control agent is capable of preventing agglomeration of superabsorbent polymers in the enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

The viscosity control agent comprise from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w of the total weight of the fire-retardant premix.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the viscosity control agent comprises from about <NUM>% w/w to about <NUM>% w/w viscosity control agent of the total weight of the composition.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a preferred particle diameter of the inorganic powder is <NUM>,<NUM> or smaller, and more preferably from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition comprises of an antimicrobial agent.

The antimicrobial agent may prevent microbial growth in the fire-retardant composition pre-mix.

The antimicrobial agents may prevent microbial growth in the enhanced water mixture obtained by mixing fire-retardant composition pre-mix with water.

The antimicrobial agents may prevent microbial growth when fire-retardant composition is formulated as water-based fire-retardant composition.

The antimicrobial agent may be selected from the group comprising of bronopol ((<NUM>-bromo-<NUM>-nitropropane-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol) and a mixture of <NUM> Chloro-<NUM>-Methyl-<NUM>-isothiazolin-<NUM>-one and <NUM>% <NUM>-Methyl-<NUM>-isothiazolin-<NUM>-one ((Mergal K14 or CMIT/MIT or Isocil)), <NUM>,<NUM>-benzisothiazolin-<NUM>-one (Proxel GXL), Nisin, Natamycin and the like.

The antimicrobial agent comprises from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w of the fire-retardant premix.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the antimicrobial agent comprises from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w antimicrobial agent of the total weight of the composition.

The antimicrobial agents may effectively control the growth of microbes (bacteria and fungi) when the composition comprising a superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight; a viscosity control agent; and an antimicrobial agent is added to water to create enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

The antimicrobial agents may effectively control the growth of fungus when the composition comprising a superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight; a viscosity control agent; and an antimicrobial agent is added to water to create enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

A fire-retardant composition comprising: a superabsorbent polymer; a viscosity control agent; and an antimicrobial agent may be added to water having hardness ranging from about <NUM> ppm to about <NUM> ppm to create enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

A fire-retardant composition comprising: a superabsorbent polymer; a viscosity control agent; and an antimicrobial agent may be formulated as wet concentrate or gel or slurry by mixing fire-retardant composition pre-mix to water having hardness ranging from about <NUM> ppm to about <NUM> ppm to create enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

The degree of hardness of the water, in other words the number of cations in the water, affects the degree of swelling of the polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight. A component may also be introduced to counteract this effect. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the amount of the component in the composition may be varied depending on the hardness of the water in the particular region of use. Also, the fire-retardant composition is effective without inclusion of a chemical to counteract the water hardness, particularly in those regions of the country that do not experience hard water.

The fire-retardant composition obtained by mixing superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight, antimicrobial agent and viscosity control agent according to the invention may have the viscosity from about <NUM> cps to about <NUM> cps.

The fire-retardant composition obtained by mixing superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight, antimicrobial agent and viscosity control agent according to the invention may preferably have the viscosity from about <NUM> cps to about <NUM> cps.

Further the present invention provides a process for preparing fire-retardant composition.

Thus, described herein is a process of preparing fire-retardant composition comprising.

wherein said process comprises mixing said starch based superabsorbent polymer, viscosity control agent and an antimicrobial agent to obtain fire-retardant composition pre-mix.

The process of preparing fire-retardant composition may further comprise of mixing the fire-retardant composition with water to create enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

Said composition when added to water simultaneously, sequentially or separately creates enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

wherein said process comprises mixing said superabsorbent polymer, viscosity control agent and an antimicrobial agent simultaneously, sequentially or separately with water may create enhanced water mixture of viscosity ranging from <NUM>-<NUM> cps appropriate for fire suppression.

Also described is a process of preparing fire-retardant composition comprising a superabsorbent polymer; a viscosity control agent; and an antimicrobial agent; said process comprises:.

Also described is a process of preparing fire-retardant composition which comprises:.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fire-retardant composition may further comprise substances with flame retardants, emulsifying agent, additives, coloring agents, opacifying agents, dyes, extenders and the like in order to increase the stability and efficiency of the composition according to the present invention.

A fire-retardant composition of the present invention may comprise, from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) potassium salt; from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w fumed silica; and from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w bronopol wherein said composition when added to water creates enhanced water mixture of viscosity ranging from <NUM>-<NUM> cps appropriate for fire suppression.

A fire-retardant composition of the present invention may comprise, from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) potassium salt; from <NUM>% w/w to about <NUM>% w/w precipitated silica; and from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w Mergal K <NUM> wherein said composition when added to water creates enhanced water mixture of viscosity ranging from <NUM>-<NUM> cps appropriate for fire suppression.

Also described herein is the use of fire-retardant composition for preventing or extinguishing fire wherein said composition comprises superabsorbent polymers capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight; a viscosity control; and an antimicrobial agent.

The fire-retardant composition may be formulated as pre-mix powder comprising superabsorbent polymer, viscosity control agent and antimicrobial agent wherein said composition is added to water before use to create enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

The fire-retardant composition may be formulated as concentrate or gel by mixing superabsorbent polymer, viscosity control agent and antimicrobial agent in an aqueous medium concentrate or gel; and said concentrate or gel may be further mixed with sufficient quantity of water to create an enhanced water mixture appropriate for fire suppression.

The fire-retardant composition may have a suppressant and protectant action.

The fire-retardant composition may act as suppressant when sprinkle or sprayed on burning objects to douse the fire.

The fire-retardant composition may act as protectant when coated onto objects and surfaces prone to catch fire.

The invention relates to a method of preventing or extinguishing fire. The method of preventing or extinguishing fire may comprise mixing fire-retardant composition comprising superabsorbent polymers, viscosity control agent and an antimicrobial agent; with water to create enhanced water mixture of viscosity ranging from <NUM>-<NUM> cps; and directing it to a surface to prevent and/or extinguish a fire.

The method of preventing or extinguishing fire may comprise mixing fire-retardant composition comprising superabsorbent polymers, viscosity control agent and an antimicrobial agent; with water to create enhanced water mixture of viscosity ranging from <NUM>-<NUM> cps; and coating the objects and surface prone to catch fire.

The method of preventing or extinguishing fire may comprise applying the said fire-retardant composition by sprinkling or spraying onto the burning objects and surfaces.

The method of preventing or extinguishing fire may comprise mixing the superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight, viscosity control agent and antimicrobial agent into a standard fire extinguishing canisters and water tanks and mixing it with water under continuous stirring to obtain the fire-retardant composition.

The method of preventing or extinguishing fire may comprise mixing the superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight, viscosity control agent, antimicrobial agent and water in a standard cylindrical fire extinguisher vessel and applying it onto objects to prevent and/or extinguish fire.

The method of preventing or extinguishing fire may comprise mixing the superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight, viscosity control agent and antimicrobial agent water in a standard cylindrical fire extinguisher vessel and contacting it with water externally using eductor nozzle allowing instant mixing of a mixture of superabsorbent polymers, viscosity agent and antimicrobial agent with water and applying it onto objects to prevent and/or extinguish fire.

The fire-retardant composition may be coated onto horizontally as well as vertically mounted objects and/or surfaces.

A fire-retardant composition of suitable viscosity with sufficient thickness may be prepared to coat vertically mounted objects and/or surfaces.

The fire-retardant composition comprising starch based superabsorbent polymer, viscosity control agent and antimicrobial agent may be safer to the environment during thermal decomposition.

The fire-retardant composition comprising starch based superabsorbent polymer, viscosity control agent and antimicrobial agent may not emit toxic gases during thermal decomposition.

Also described herein is a kit of fire-retardant composition comprising superabsorbent polymers, viscosity control agent and an antimicrobial agent ; wherein said kit when added to water to create enhanced water mixture at the point-of-use appropriate for fire suppression.

Also described herein is a kit for fire-retardant composition capable of extinguishing/ suppressing the fire, said kit comprising in separate packings, the superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight mixed with an antimicrobial agent in a first pack and the viscosity control agent in a second pack such that composition is prepared by adding components of both the packs of the kit in desired amount of water and mixing it vigorously to obtain fire-retardant composition.

Said kit may comprise in separate packings, the superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight mixed with an antimicrobial agent in a first pack and the viscosity control agent in the second pack such that composition is prepared by adding components of both the packs of the kit in desired amount of water and mixing it vigorously to obtain composition of viscosity ranging from about <NUM> cps to about <NUM> cps.

The fire-retardant composition is prepared by mixing starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) potassium salt, precipitated silica, bronopol and water are mixed in a given ratio shown above and prepared as per the process of Example <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition is prepared by mixing starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) potassium salt, zeolite, bronopol and water in a given ratio shown above and prepared as per the process of Example <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition is prepared by mixing polyacrylamide, fumed silica, bronopol and water in a given ratio shown above and prepared as per the process of Example <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition with starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) potassium salt, bronopol and water are mixed in a given ratio shown above and prepared as per the process of Example <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition is prepared by mixing starch-g-poly(<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propanoic acid, sodium salt, precipitated silica, bronopol and water in a given ratio shown above and prepared as per the process of Example <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition is prepared by mixing starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) sodium salt, precipitated silica, bronopol and water in a given ratio shown above as per the process of Example <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition is prepared by mixing polyacrylamide polymer, fumed silica, Mergal k-<NUM> and water in a given ratio shown above as per the process of Example <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition is prepared by mixing starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) potassium salt, precipitated silica, proxel GXL and water in a given ratio shown above as per the process of Example <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition is prepared by mixing Starch-g-poly propenoic acid) potassium salt, precipitated silica, proxel gxl and water in a given ratio shown above as per the process of Example <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition is prepared by mixing Starch-g-poly propenoic acid) sodium salt, precipitated silica, proxel gxl and water in a given ratio shown above as per the process of Example <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition is prepared by mixing Starch-g-poly propenoic acid) sodium salt, precipitated silica, bronopol and water in a given ratio shown above as per the process of Example <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition is prepared by mixing starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) potassium salt, bronopol and water are mixed in a given ratio shown above and prepared as per the process of Example <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition is prepared by mixing starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) potassium salt and bronopol and water in a given ratio shown above as per the process of Example <NUM>.

Study was conducted to evaluate the role of viscosity control agent in the fire-retardant composition. Compositions of Example-<NUM> and Example-<NUM> were compared against compositions of Example-<NUM> and Example-<NUM> which were prepared without adding viscosity control agent to the fire-retardant compositions and evaluated further. Viscosity measurement was done in brookfield viscometer at <NUM> rpm, spindle <NUM>. It was found that sample prepared without viscosity control agent took around <NUM> minutes to mix in the water. Even after <NUM>, the composition so obtained was not uniform and appeared to contain agglomerates within the enhanced water mixture. On the contrary, the sample prepared according to Example-<NUM> and Exmaple-<NUM> required only <NUM>-<NUM> minute time to disperse fire-retardant composition pre-mix in water. We observed a bloom when pre-mix compositions of Example-<NUM> and Example-<NUM> were allowed to be mixed in water to obtain water enhancer mixture. This suggested that viscosity control agent is responsible for efficient dispersion of a superabsorbent polymer capable of absorbing significant amounts of water relative to its weight to ultimately prepare composition (Table-<NUM>).

Fire retardant composition of Example-<NUM> was taken to study its effectiveness in water with different hardness levels measured as TDS (Total Dissolved Solid). Purpose behind this study was to evaluate performance of the fire-retardant composition in water with various hardness levels as water from sources like tap, pond, river, stream etc. has different hardness levels. Higher hardness indicates large amounts of dissolved solids in water. Two dispersion with <NUM>% w/w and <NUM>% w/w was prepared using composition of Example-<NUM>. Water with TDS level <NUM> ppm and 1230ppm was reconstituted and prepared for testing. Water with <NUM> ppm hardness was used in preparing enhanced water mixture with <NUM>% w/w dispersion; and water with <NUM> ppm hardness was used in preparing enhanced water mixture with <NUM>% w/w dispersion. Plain water without fire-retardant composition was also taken as standard. It was found that fire-retardant composition of Example-<NUM> douse the fire effectively when mixed with water of <NUM> ppm hardness and of <NUM> ppm hardness respectively. At both the hardness level, viscosity of the fire-retardant composition maintained within the effective range of <NUM>-<NUM> cps. At both the hardness level, fire retardant composition found to be more effective than water. Results are summarized in Table <NUM>.

The fire-retardant composition of Example-<NUM> developed according to the present invention was subjected to microbiological studies to assess the effectiveness of antimicrobial agent against undesirable bacterial and fungal growth. The testing was performed by Pour Plate method on Nutrient Agar (NA) for the growth of bacteria and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) for the growth of fungi. Bacterial and fungal strains were diluted appropriately and <NUM> of diluted strain was added to respective sterilized molten but cooled agar media. After incubation the control and test plates were taken to observe microbial growth. Results are presented in Table (<NUM> & <NUM>) and <FIG>&<NUM>). Bacterial CFU count in composition without microbial agent was found to be <NUM> x <NUM><NUM> CFU per mL. Fungal CFU count in composition with microbial agent was found to be <NUM> CFU per mL. No bacterial or fungal growth was observed in samples where fire-retardant composition comprises of antimicrobial agent.

Efficiency of the fire-retardant composition was tested against Class A fire following IS <NUM>:<NUM> specifications using composition of Example-<NUM>. Two fire extinguishers, each with six litre volume were taken, one was filled with water and another was filled with enhanced water mixture prepared using <NUM>% w/w composition of Example-<NUM>; and both the extinguishers were pressurized with nitrogen. Two wooden cribs with Type 1A type were allowed to burn upto <NUM>% of its initial weight and then the pressurized fire extinguishers loaded with water and fire-retardant composition were used to extinguish fires of respective cribs. It was found that fire-extinguisher loaded with <NUM>% fire-retardant composition doused the fire within <NUM> second without re-ignition for <NUM> hour indicating the fire was completely doused. Whereas, extinguisher with water took <NUM> sec to douche the fire and reignition noticed after <NUM> seconds. Therefore, fire-retardant composition found to be four times more effective in comparison to water. Results are summarized in Table <NUM>.

To evaluate the protective action of the fire-retardant composition, test was conducted by coating the surface with fire-retardant composition prior to ignition. Test was conducted as per ASTM E1321-<NUM> specification with customization based on available resources. Two plywood of <NUM> X <NUM> having <NUM> thickness were taken and coated with <NUM>% w/w composition and <NUM>% w/w composition of Example-<NUM> respectively. Two control were also taken under testing, one coated with water and another dried with no water. The coated plates were placed vertically in parallel to the <NUM> KW heat source. It was found that uncoated plywood and the plywood coated with water ignited within <NUM> seconds of its exposure with the radiant source. However, plywood coated with <NUM>% w/w composition took around <NUM> seconds and the plywood coated with <NUM>% w/w composition took around <NUM> seconds to ignite.

This suggested that fire-retardant composition is quite effective in protecting the objects/ surfaces prone to catch fire. Fire-retardant composition with higher concentration may protect objects/surfaces for even longer duration. Results are summarised in Table <NUM>.

To determine the protection effectiveness of the present invention material ignition test was conducted using Cone Calorimeter with ISO <NUM>. The 100X100 mm plywood of <NUM> thickness was coated with experiment <NUM> composition, including control without water and with water. The coated plates were placed parallelly but in horizontal position to the <NUM> KW heat source. It was found that uncoated plywood and the plywood coated with water ignited within <NUM> seconds of its exposure with the radiant source. However, plywood coated with <NUM>% w/w composition took around <NUM> seconds. The results have been summarised in table <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A fire-retardant composition consisting of a fire-retardant premix and water, wherein the fire-retardant premix comprises:
from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w of a starch-based superabsorbent polymer;
from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w of a viscosity control agent; and
from <NUM>% w/w to <NUM>% w/w of an antimicrobial agent;
wherein said starch-based superabsorbent polymer is selected from starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) potassium salt, starch-g-poly (<NUM>-propenamide-co-<NUM>-propenoic acid) sodium salt, starch-g-poly (propenoic acid) sodium salt, starch-g-poly (propenoic acid) potassium salt; and
wherein said viscosity control agent is a water-insoluble inorganic powder selected from amorphous silica, silicon dioxide, silicic acid, silicates, titanium dioxide, aluminium oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, talc, calcium phosphate, clays, diatomaceous earth, zeolites, bentonite, kaolin, hydrotalcite and activated clays.