1

|cam|ata|e
TFEX Ltd.
!C||N!|||C 8kCKk0UN0

|cam|ata|e
0|||N|!|0N 0| !N| !C||N!|||C |k08||M
Concerning disaster incidents fre occurs most often. In this section we are dealing with
the environmental efects of the fre and the phenomena of secondary damage caused
by the extinguishing of the fre of above-ground, atmospheric fammable liquid stor-
age tanks.
The environmental protection laws and the related implementation directives apply to
stationery, known technologies with continuous emission, and prescribe in detail the
method for the measurement and calculation of each type of pollution emission and
the permissible limits.
However, environment protection laws do not regulate the circumstances and meth-
ods of disaster recovery, since disaster incidents are characterized by the unpredict-
ability of what will happen, when and where, but refer this task to the competence of
the disaster recovery laws. However, the law regulating disaster recovery tasks does not
lay down environmental quality and quantity requirements, although properly chosen
recovery technology may considerably reduce the load on the environment.
Another problematic area is that traditional, currently available fre fghting techniques,
such as the foam jet pipes, foam vessels, foam slides in case of semi-fxed extinguish-
ing, are not suitable for extinguishing with increased foam intensity, moreover their
reliability is also very questionable and their potential failure will lead to a further dis-
aster.
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|cam|ata|e
!C||N!|||C 08I|C!|\|!
We will examine the primarily impact caused by fre, the possibilities of reducing
and preventing air pollution.
We will examine the secondary impacts caused by fre extinguishing, the methods
of preventing the soil and underground water pollution.
We intend to invent a new investigating method and efciency index suitable for
comparing the diferent methods of extinguishing fre of liquid storage tanks.
We should also like to defne the optimal foam introduction technique of extin-
guishing fre of tanks of any type or size. For this matter we study the foam spread-
ing phenomena and the geometrical correlation of foam introduction.
We propose the theoretical explanation of the wall-efect phenomenon based on
scientifc facts.
We intend to come up with foam supply solutions suitable for carrying out updated
high-capacity extinguishing.
As a result of the research we make a proposal to introduce new extinguishing reg-
ulations to be used in practice appropriate to extinguishing fre of storage tanks of
any size and construction.
Our further objective is to introduce a method of creating efective, environmental-
ly safe fre fghting technology of storage tank fres in extreme circumstances (lack
of water, lack of energy supply and human resources, plus extremely low ambient
temperature).
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2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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|cam|ata|e
k|!|kkCN M|!N00!
We begun our work by collecting the application experience of well-known extinguish-
ing procedures. We gathered descriptions of industrial accidents, journals, old special-
ized textbooks, and we also used the Internet.
We reviewed the currently available standards, references, tactical instructions.
We reviewed some theses, university notes, issues of diferent conferences, excellent
foreign studies and essays.
We set out some propositions to fnd a strategy of extinguishing fre of storage tanks
including new foam application and foam supply.
We proved our theoretical research results in an experimental way by measuring cold
foam spreading and testing fre extinguishing.
We intend to elaborate the design procedure adaptable in practice, and to get hold of
the necessary ofcial permissions.
Finally, we proved the adaptability of the procedure by building reference apparatus-
es.

|cam|ata|e
!C||N!|||C k|!|kkCN
||teratare searc|
|a|rcameata| |mpacts cf stcraqe taa| hres, a|r pc||at|ca
In this chapter we will review the well-known facts by introducing the causes, the fea-
tures, all the phenomena of extinguishing fre of diferent types of tank constructions
(fxed roof and foating roof ) and fnally the environmental impacts caused by these
fres taking place mainly in the form of air pollution.
Measar|aq ett|aqa|s||aq prcce4ares acccr4|aq tc t|e|r ea|rcameata| |mpacts
Fire fghting of diferent fre brigades can be examined similarly to those of the station-
ary technologies. We are given the subject of the work (the fre), the workers involved
(fre fghters) who do the necessary steps according to the prescribed technology. The
production is the successfully extinguished fre. This activity involves using and efect-
ing the environment as well as any other activities. The environmental efects, however,
greatly depend on the technology used in the process.
There are three basic traditional methods of fghting fre of tanks. All three have one
feature in common, tactical operating regulations include static intensity regulations,
the prescribed intensity value does not depend on the size of fre surface.
!em|-sta||e ett|aqa|s||aq strateq,
After introducing the procedure in details, we will analyze its advantages and draw-
backs, describe its implementation requirements, the regulations of the traditional ap-
plication, the parameters, the environmental impacts of this strategy.
Environmental protection estimation:
Preparation time is long. Extinguishing runs long as a result of the low level of foam
intensity, therefore burning time is considerable. As a consequence, air pollution is sig-
nifcant. Although foam pourers can drive foam inside the tank, due to their frequent

|cam|ata|e
breakdown fre brigade changed over to mobile fghting instead, but this can cause
soil pollution by foam waste mounted on the tank as a result of aiming loss.
0perat|aq w|t| hte4 ett|aqa|s||aq |asta||at|ca
Environmental estimation
No need for preparation, the appliance carries out the fre fghting within a short time.
Air pollution is relatively low, soil pollution does not occur in practice.
!|e met|c4 cf mc|||e hre hq|t|aq
Today the traditional way of mobile fghting is carried out mainly in case of storage
tanks of small size, and of fre of dike areas and technological appliances.
The traditional mobile fghting should be separated from the application of high-ca-
pacity foam guns, and of mobile foam centres. Burning time can be reduced to some
10 minutes depending on the size of the storage tanks by using high-capacity foam
guns in plants with the necessary resources (technical background, water, men). The
advantages of using high intensity mobile fghting apparatus are the relatively short
extinguishing time and sparing human resources. The disadvantages include the costly
technical appliances, the need for perfect water supply of high pressure and capacity,
and due to the limited adaptability it cannot mean a universal solution for all kinds of
fre.
Environmental estimation:
The traditional way of fghting with the standard foam intensity results in long burning
time, and air pollution is high. Adapting mobile fre fghting with high-capacity foam
guns compared to the traditional semi-stable systems is environmentally more reli-
able, it can reduce the amount of air pollution. However, the above and underwater
pollution water is considerable due to the waste during aiming the foam into the tank
that ends up in dike area.
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|cam|ata|e
CONCLUSION
The traditional, most commonly used semi-stable fghting apparatus work with stat-
ic and low foam intensity rate therefore the long burning time (that can even be in-
creased by the time needed to install the apparatus and change the strategy) will result
in considerable air pollution, while applying high intensity mobile fghting apparatus
air pollution is reduced, but we are left with another polluting factor due to aiming loss
and the unnecessary fooding of the dike area.
|css|||||t|es cf pc||at|ca preeat|ca
k|r pc||at|ca |s |a prcpcrt|ca tc |ara|aq t|me aa4 taa| s|te
The possibilities of reducing burning time and air pollution
Burning time
Preparation time
detecting delay
Information delivery
Time to build up a safe foam
blanket
Alarm
Proceeding to the scene
Assembly
Extinguishing time
Cooling the shell
Depends on the chosen
strategy
Depends on the
extinguishing technology
Ncw tc re4ace preparat|ca t|me
Preparation time exclusively depends on the chosen extinguishing strategy. Based on
the study of the elements of preparation time, actuating the fxed fre fghting appara-
tus requires the shortest time, extiguishing can start few seconds after detecting the
fre. Adapting the semi-fxed or mobile fghting methods detection, alarm, proceeding
and assembly cause signifcant preparation time loss, fre fghting can only start after
having done these.

|cam|ata|e
How to launch quick extinguishing procedure
Using immediate physical heat sensors
Using thermoplastic or melting pipes, bars, sheets (e.g.: pneumatic linear detector),
appliances based on the technique of sprinkler heads installed on the upper rim of
the sidewalls inside the tank or at the foam dam in tanks with foating roof
Using electric heat-sensors (electric linear detectors)
Using electric detectors perceiving heat-radiation
Using monitoring video systems based on veer-sensing software (scanning or im-
mobile camcorder)
Ncw tc ac|4 fa|se a|arm
One of the most commonly used way of avoiding false alarm is after relying on the
signal made by the perceivers, the operators supervise and check if it agrees with the
facts.
Safety can be increased by rising the level of redundancy. Reducing the level of odds
of false alarms can be reached by multiplying the detectors and reading their signals
altogether in AND logical relationship.
Ncw tc re4ace ett|aqa|s||aq t|me
According to our hypothesis the solution can be found by examining the chart of ex-
tinguishing time and foam intensity. We prove the efciency of extinguishing with Su-
perintensive foam fooding meaning that fghting time can be drastically reduced by
increasing the amount of foam solution.

|cam|ata|e
The following chart shows the relationship between the foam solution intensity and
the extinguishing time.
Ncw tc re4ace sc|| pc||at|ca |, re4ac|aq fcam etp|c|tat|ca
Ccmpar|aq ett|aqa|s||aq tec|ac|cq|es
Pollution of above and underground water can be lessened by reducing the amount of
extinguishing materials used and increasing the efciency of their exploitation. Load of
the sewage system can also be reduced by the foam amount used. The total amount of
foam volume getting into the tank and into the dike area due to the aiming loss should
be considered as pollution.
The rate of soil pollution depends on the foam exploitation of the certain technology
as well as the method of foam introduction.
In order to be able to compare the diferent extinguishing technologies we introduce
the concept and the standard of foam efectiveness factor. Defning its rate can be car-
ried out by using easily adaptable evaluating methods. Having examined the relation-
ship between the foam efectiveness factor and the foam intensity we realized that we
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|cam|ata|e
can defne the intensity of the optimal working point of certain extinguishing technol-
ogy in concrete fgures.
Based on theoretical assumptions the relationship between the foam exploitation fac-
tor and the foam solution intensity is depicted in the following chart:
The value of in case of less than critical foam solution intensity is 0, the fre could not
be put out. In case of this low level of cumulative foam volume fow the penetrational
speed decreases to 0 in view of the advanced time spending on putting out the fre,
and spreading of the foam face stops. The fre continually consumes the released foam
amount, t(extinguishing) =
The value of is 100% if the driven foam amount is used to create the foam blan-
ket without any waste, with its full volume. This case takes place in case of cold foam
spreading experiments, providing the adaptation of high quality stable foam.
If we are aware of the relation between foam exploitation factor and solution intensity
of diferent extinguishing strategies, before starting extinguishing the fre we can cal-
culate the full foam volume to be produced in a certain case, moreover, the necessary
foam concentrate amount taking the intensity into account resulting from the capacity
of our technical background.
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|cam|ata|e
CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, we can state that built-in extinguishing equipment is favourable re-
garding preparation time.
The benefts of extinguishing with high-capacity foam intensity should be exploited to
reduce extinguishing time. The appropriate extinguishing strategy should be chosen
by taking the best foam utilization factor into account, and it should be operated in an
optimal working point.
The technologies are characterized by their foam introduction manner. The most ap-
propriate way among all the possible foam introductions is the curtain-like manner
which is able to cool the inner part of the shield and stop wall-efect.
Based on these assumptions we developed a new extinguishing strategy of storage
tank fres which adaptability were tested in an experimental way.
N,pct|es|s: |atrc4ac|aq a aew tec|ac|cq,
!act|ca| |astract|cas
As a ground principle of redefning tactical instructions we introduce the method of
choosing the dynamic intensity in order to decrease burning time.
According to the foam solution intensity-extinguishing time diagram, above the value
of 10 l/min/m2 intensity, in the range of super-intensive foam fooding, extinguishing
time decreases rapidly. From a practical point of view, intensity value of 15 and 30 l/
min/m2 would be favourable in case of fxed and mobile extinguishing strategy.
!|e 4,aam|c ett|aqa|s||aq strateq,
We propose the working point should come in the intensity range of superintensive
foam fooding in order to make air pollution small, and to avoid harm caused by tank
heat. In this case, based on our own measurements and the experiments of extinguish-
ing fre by mobile strategy, extinguishing time drops to order magnitude of 10 sec-
onds. This short extinguishing time should be favourable to keep in case of bigger fre
surfaces and tank sizes.
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|cam|ata|e
According to the traditional tactical instructions, we were able to defne the extinguish-
ing time and the time of foam introduction reading the low intensity value from the
extinguishing time-foam-intensity diagram.
In order to obtain short extinguishing time we need to modify the extinguishing in-
structions regarding the time of foam introduction as the independent parameter,
leaving the foam intensity the dependent variable and adjusting it to the size of the
combustion surface.
In case of foam extinguishing, the frst phase is to develop the necessary foam thick-
ness for extinguishment. It requires a few 10 seconds in the range of superintensive
foam fooding. The traditional, static approach prescribed the same intensity value
independently from the combustion surface. Modifying this by instructing that the
intensity value should be adjusted to the combustion surface, we can realize that in
case of a bigger suface the foam should take a longer distance under the afection by
the fre, the attacked foam surface gets bigger. The impacts of the inevitable foam
destruction can be outweighed by increasing intensity and decreasing extinguishing
time. With the help of an increased intensity value, the foam rolls faster on the surface,
being exposed to the drying, thermal demolishing impacts of fre for a short time of
some 10 seconds.
The second phase of the extinguishing procedure is the increasing of the foam blanket
thickness. Its importance lies in preventing reignition. We should continue the accession
of the foam to the surface of the liquid until it grows up to an adequate thickness. We
should be able to maintain the resistance of the foam blanket even if a strong sidewind
tries to make the blanket go open. The bigger intensity value beside the fxed foam
introduction time results in greater safety factor, and the required bigger foam blanket
thickness will be set by the end of the prescribed total foam introduction time.
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|cam|ata|e
Based on our measurements and the conclusions from calculating the foam spreading
velocity to diferent tank size, we propose the following values of the diagram indicat-
ing the relation between the foam solution intensity and the fre surface.
In practice designing the extinguishing equipment consists of two steps, contrary to
the traditional planning processes for example those working with statical intensity
data from NFPA.
The frst step is calculating the total foam amount needed and planning the capacity
of the foam source. The method of foam supply is defned by the chosen extinguishing
strategy. In case of fxed extinguishing equipment a built-in instant foam tank, (which
is a kind of pre-mixed, ready to use type foam), while in case of mobile extinguishing
a mobile instant foam tank or high-capacity mobile foam solution supply unit can be
applied.
The second step is to plan the foam introduction, consisting of the hydraulic design of
the foam pipe. The base of the design is the upper limit of foam introduction time. We
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|cam|ata|e
should set it as a main criterion how much time we need to get the above defned total
foam amount inside the tank on fre.
Based on our measurements and with the respect of the economically acceptable val-
ues resulting from examining the penetration velocity, we propose to introduce the
following instructions:
The permissible longest foam introduction time for 2000 m
2
fre surface is 2 minutes,
above 2000 m
2
is 3 minutes.
Based on the foam introduction time, we can calculate the foam volume rates in the
foam pipes, and as the next step, taking the equivalent pipe lengths into account, we
can calculate the pipe cross-sections.
!|e cpt|ma| wa, cf fcam |atrc4act|ca
In favour of fast extinguishing, foam application intensity should be increased. In order
to achieve this, extensive foam volume rate should be introduced to the tank on fre.
Traditional foam chambers, foam slides are not suitable for managing this extensive
foam volume rate, since the foam is introduced pointwisely with high velocity, it raises
the hydrocarbon surface in landing, the foam submerges into the liquid creating emul-
sion and the high paced foods hardly develop a cool vapour-proof foam blanket.
The appropriate choice of foam introduction can improve the efciency of the extin-
guishing in two felds. We can beneft from the environmental asset preventing soil
pollution by driving the total foam amount to the tank without any waste. In addition
to this, we can obtain the best foam exploitation factor, which is most important con-
cerning the reduction of total foam amount used.
To be able to fnd the most favourable way of foam introduction, we carried out theo-
retical research of the thorough examination of penetration velocity, foam profle dia-
gram, foam perimeter curve and the geometrical possibilities of foam introduction.
We discovered the theoretical and the physical explanation of the so-called wall-efect
phenomenon and its related anomalies. In the meantime, we applied the specifc sur-
face foam load attribute number as one of the parameters of the extinction.
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|cam|ata|e
Having studied the diferent foam introduction geometrical schemes, the curtain-like
foam streaming inside the tank shield was the most promising. Its equipment is the
continuous linear nozzle.
|cam sapp|,|aq sc|at|cas sa|ta||e fcr etteas|e fcam |ateas|t,
There are three solutions perfect in practical usage to feed the continuous linear noz-
zle with the necessary foam volume food. The frst two are based on the application of
instant foam (premixed foam stored under pressure) attaining the autonomous extin-
guishing equipment free of any external sources.
Fixed foam supply system with instant foam:
Mobile foam supply with instant foam from tank truck:
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|cam|ata|e
Mobile foam supply updated semi-stable extinguishing equipment

The features and the applied equipment at the three foam supply system is summa-
rized below.
INSTALLED EQUIPMENT FOAM SUPPLY EQUIPMENT
Semi-fxed extinguishing
apparatus with mobile
foam solution supply
Continuous Linear Nozzle
Foam Pipe
Protection Wall
Foam Attaching Fittings
Fire Hydrants
High Back Pressure Foam
Generator
Foam Hose
Foam Extinguishing Vehicle,
Water Hose
Semi-fxed extinguishing
apparatus with instant
foam supply
Continuous Linear Nozzle
Foam Pipe
Protection Wall
Foam Attaching Fittings
Foam Hose
Mobile Instant Foam Tank
on a semitrailer
Fixed extinguishing
equipment with instant
foam supply
Continuous Linear Nozzle
Foam Pipe
Protection Wall
Installed Instant Foam Tank,
Manual or Automatic Foam
Valve
|tper|meata| e|4eaces ca t|ecret|ca| resa|ts
So far we have outlined the diferent phases of our research work:
How to reduce preparation and extinguishing time, along with air pollution by in-
creasing the foam application intensity

1I
|cam|ata|e
How to prevent soil pollution, how to manage extensive foam volume rates properly
and drive it to the tank
How to produce adequate amount of foam in diferent fre extinguishing strategies
How to avoid false alarm
In the next chapter we will prove all of our theoretical results by experimental evidence
of cold foam spreading measurements and fre tests.
Cc|4 fcam sprea4 tests
We built an opened tank model of 500 m2 surface, made of steel sheets to be able to
carry out our measurement on. All results of the measurements are included in the fol-
lowing charts.
Chart of the issues of cold foam tests are based on the report of Ministry of Interior,
National Catastrophe Defence Directorate, Fire Test Laboratory.
Measured and calculated features unit Test
No 1
Test
No 2
Test
No 3
Liquid surface of the storage tank m
2
500 500 500
Average foam blanket thickness at closing m 0,035 0,03 0,04
Present foam volume at closing m
3
17,5 15 20
Foam closing time sec 30 26 25
Foam intensity till blanket closing l/min./m
2
70 69,2 96
Measured average expansion ratio 1 5,0 4,42 4,6
Foam solution volume released till closing m
3
3,5 3,4 5,4
Foam solution intensity l/min./m
2
14 15,7 20,9
Average foam blanket thickness
measured on total emission
m 0,09 0,1 0,11
Foam volume on total emission m
3
45 50 55,2
Total foam solution volume m
3
9 9 12
Total operating time sec 109 105 118
Average foam volume food m
3
/min. 24,6 28,2 27,6
Tank diameter m 25,2 25,2 25,2
Average penetration velocity m/min. 24,6 28,8 30
Average foam solution intensity l/min./m
2
10 10,3 12,2

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|cam|ata|e
We carried out the foam spreading experiments with nearly the same extinguishing
parameters partly due to the experimental equipment, partly to the bound feature of
the foam sources. In every case less than half a minute was needed to reach foam clos-
ing, which can be regarded a signifcant achievement, it also brings some hope for the
future to reach a similarly short extinguishing time.
Another accomplishment is to comply with all the criteria of superintensive foam food-
ing by mobile foam supply.
||re tests
The change of the penetration velocity when foam is exposed to fre was considered
important. We carried out two fre tests and compared the results with the measured
parameters in cold conditions.
Chart of the issues of cold foam tests are based on the report of Ministry of Interior,
National Catastrophe Defence Directorate, Fire Test Laboratory.
Measured and calculated features unit test No 1 test No 2
Fire surface m
2
500 500
Thickness of fammable liquid layer cm 1,5 1
Preburn time sec 30 30
Extinguishing time sec 25 46
Measured foam expansion ratio 1 5,8 6,5
Fire spreading time on whole fre surface sec 8 12
Foam introduction total time sec 110 122
Foamblanket thickness at the end of foam
introduction
m 0.1 0.1
Penetration velocity m/min. 30 16,2
Total foam solution amount used m
3
9 9
Average foam solution intensity l/min./m
2
9,81 8,85
Average intensity estimated during
extinguishing time
l/min./m
2
16,8 15,1
1
|cam|ata|e
|a|aat|ca cf measare4 resa|ts
There was a signifcant diference concerning the circumstances of the two fre tests
that we did and unfortunately we failed to draw our attention to it until the beginning
of the second test.
The water in the tank model had been left contaminated from the time the previous
test was taken. As a result of this, 3-5 mm thick alga crust generated on the surface of
the water and it was foating. Unfortunately, the drawbacks of the phenomenon were
recognized later, after watching the video recording. Apparently, during the flling of
the fammable liquid from the tank-truck, the alga crust was broken by the mixture of
petrol and diesel-oil, and pushed ahead. So the relatively longer extinguishing time
can be attributed to the alga pollution in the second test. During extinguishing, the
presumedly burnt and stifened alga mass could hinder the spreading of the foam,
decreasing the penetration velocity, and towards the end of the whole process the
alga drenched in petrol was accumulated in front of the foam, in the middle of the
liquid surface and was burning for a long time like a wick in a candle. Eventually, the
foam covered this last piece of burning surface, but caused the extinguishing time to
increase twice.
CONCLUSION
There is no measurable foam waste at 15 l/min/m2 foam solution application rate-
applied on a 500 m2 experimental tank model. The foam closing time is about the
same, 30 seconds at cold foam spread test and at fre test as well.
The foating and fammable frm contamination on the liquid surface did not risk but
delayed the successful outcome of putting out the fre.
The results serve as evidence of our hypothesis, the large tank fre surfaces will be
extinguished using the appropriate increased intensity range.

|cam|ata|e
C0NC|U!|0N
kea||tat|ca cf t|e c|ject|es
We developed a new extinguishing technology to prevent air pollution caused by
tank fres, suitable for extinguishing even the largest storage tank fres for both fxed
and semi-fxed protection strategy
We were able to eliminate soil pollution with the help of our newly developed foam
introduction device.
We created the foam efectiveness factor suitable for comparing the diferent extin-
guishing strategies, and we also presented the benefts of its practical use.
We sorted out the optimal geometrical scheme of foam introduction.
We discovered the scientifc explanation for the drawbacks and anomalies of the
wall-efect occurring during extinguishing.
We embodied a foam supplying solution with which the operation parameters can
be freely used adjusting to tank size.
We proposed to introduce a new rules for extinguishing tactics based on an environ-
mentally aware fre safety strategy.
We developed a design procedure adaptable in practice for engineers, and got hold
of all the ofcial permissions to its industrial application.
We built a number of automatically operating, autonomous extinguishing equip-
ment functioning safely even in the lack of any external sources or infrastructure.
|mpacts cf |atrc4ac|aq t|e aew tec|ac|cq, ca t|e safet, cf ea|rcameat
The new extinguishing technology (especially in case of automatic extinguishing
operation) prevents air, soil and underground water pollution caused by storage
tank fre.
Equipment is simple, it ofers high reliability, it requires no maintenance.
It is guaranteed to operate in the lack of water supply, energy or human involve-
ment, under difcult approaching circumstances
This system functions even under extreme weather conditions (+70/-40 C tempera-
ture)

1
|cam|ata|e
It is suitable for extinguishing the fre any type of storage tank.
Less amount of extinguishing agent is needed, so it is economical
Besides tank protection, it is also suitable for the protection of other dangerous sub-
stance stores (engine compartment of military vehicles, generator engines, stores of
fammable chemicals, ammunition and pyrotechnic substances.)

|cam|ata|e
N|U !C||N!|||C k|!U|!!, |k0|0!|!|0N!
1. We introduced a new concept namely the foam efectiveness factor in order to
facilitate the contrasting survey of tank fre extinguishing technologies.
The foam exploitation factor being a rating number, shows how efciently the certain
technology uses the total foam volume for the extinguishing. Introducing it and de-
fning it numerically enables us to compare the well-known technologies and choose
the Best Available Technique keeping the burning time in mind, and apply it with full
environmental awareness.
2. We extended the scope of examining foam spreading phenomena by creating
the curve of the penetration speed and the foam profle and analysing and defn-
ing the geometrical coherence of foam introduction.
The key method of the research was the theoretical study of foam spreading. Having
created these defnitions we developed the most efective foam introduction solution
that could perform a successful fghting even in case of largest tank size.
3. We discovered the physical explanation for a well-known phenomenon namely
the wall-efect, and explained the anomalies experienced during extinguishing
the fre.
The wall-efect as a well known phenomenon has been rendering the extinguishing
more difcult for years. Having discovered its physical-mathematical explanation we
could fnd the most efcient way of foam introduction.
4. We propose to develop a new extinguishing technology and apparatus of stor-
age tank fres based on the updated environmental safety regulations. Further-
more we propose to update the tactical instructions of extinguishing in order
to reduce air and above and underground water pollution caused tank fres and
their extinguishing process.
All the new extinguishing parameters mentioned above along with the new approach
of extinguishing give us the right to introduce the ISO 14001 standard, an environmen-
tal aware management into the surface of the disaster recovery.
1
|cam|ata|e
5. We developed a technical proposal to solve the problems of fghting tank fre
in sites lacking of any water supply and a fre brigade, and we evolved an extin-
guishing control system operating with multi-detector, without external auxiliary
energy supply.
In this way extinguishing becomes possible even under circumstances where all tradi-
tional strategies seem to fail. This system can even be deployed at places without fre
water supply, military deployment sites, provisional fuel tanks, storage sites in a desert
or in exposed places. The risk of false start-up was reduced by developing an autono-
mous extinguishing control that requires no auxiliary energy.
6. Our research and development eforts were honored by the Patent Ofces of
some countries.
We have got 7 patents granted and 17 is still in the processing phase connecting di-
rectly to the theme.
1
|cam|ata|e
|kkC!|Ck| k0k|!|8|||!\
The outlined results of the scientifc research can be exploited in refneries, oil-storage
tank farms, power stations, chemical plants, petrol stations etc.
The automatic and autonomous extinguishing equipment can be relied on under ex-
treme conditions (lacking water or energy supply or operator).
The main beneft lies in its environmental awareness. Also this is the most efcient
strategy to extinguish the rim seal fre of large storage tanks with foating roof adapt-
ing either the fxed or the mobile foam supply.
There are more than 30 references built in Hungary extinguishing by instant foam.

|cam|ata|e
||!! 0| |U8||Ck!|0N!
Maaascr|pt
Fire extinguishing in fammable liquid storage tanks by superintensive foam fooding.
2002, pp. 0-99. (ready to be published)
0t|er pa|||cat|cas
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Szcs, Istvn: Extinguishing of fammable liquid storage tanks Tzvdelem No. 1999/8.
pp 32-35.
Szcs, Istvn: Foam for preventing fre. Vdelem, 2001/2, pp. 49.
Szcs, Istvn: Extinguishing tank fre by instant foam. Vdelem, 1999/4. pp 13-15.
Szcs, Istvn: The infuence of the wall-efect ont he efciency of extinguishing. Vdelem,
2002/3, pp. 38-40.
Szcs, Istvn: Extinguishing storage tank fres. Vdelem, 2002/4, pp. 39-42.
Szcs Istvn: Procedure and apparatus for extinguishing tank fre. Hungarian patent
application: P9800877. April 15, 1998.
Szcs, Istvn: Method and high capacity apparatus for fre fghting of fammable liquid
storage tanks. PCT patent application: PCT 990027, April 15, 1999
Nat|caa| ccafereace |ssaes, |ectares:
Szcs, Istvn: Results achieved by IFEX Tzvdelmi Kft. in extinguishing fre of vertical
cylindrical tanks containing fammable fuids by foam. National Conference on Fire Pre-
vention, Gyula, Hungary, 1998
Szcs, Istvn: Fire extinguishing of fammable liquid storage tanks by Superintensive
Foam Flooding. Conference of European Refneries. Szzhalombatta, Hungary, 2000.

|cam|ata|e
Szcs, Istvn: Impact of the foam introduction geometry on the extinguishing efcien-
cy. National Fire Prevention Conference, Debrecen, Hungary, 2000.
Szcs, Istvn: Fire extinguishing of storage tanks in extreme conditions., Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, 2004
!c|eat|hc pa|||cat|ca appeare4 |a aca-e4|te4 jcaraa|s:
Szcs, Istvn: Extinguishing fammable liquid storage tanks Tzvdelem No. 1999/8. pp
32-35.
Szcs, Istvn: A new way of adapting instant foam. Florian Press, 1999/10. pp. 9-11.
Szcs, Istvn The infuence of foam introduction geometry to the efciency of extin-
guishing fres. Florian Press, 2000/5., pp. 10-17.
Szcs, Istvn: Semi-stable tank fre extinguishing apparatus by applying the persistent
linear nozzle. 2001/1, p.5.
Szcs, Istvn: Instant foam. Florian Press, 2001/1., p. 43.
Koczka S., Szenczi R., Szcs I.: control alternatives extinguishing tanks and store fres.
Florian Press,10. vfolyam,10 szm, 2001 oktber, pp. 728-729.
Szcs, Istvn: Comparative testing of tank fre extinguishing procedures. Florian Press,
2003/6., pp. 376-381.
TFEX Ltd. www.tfexltd.com